Reasons Why Your Next Windows PC May Need At Least 16GB Of RAM
How much RAM do you need for Windows PCs to run smoothly? It relies on the purpose of the PC. Activities like gaming and video editing benefit from having as much RAM as possible.
Every version of Windows has its own set of minimum and recommended system requirements. Currently, Microsoft suggests 4GB of RAM as the minimum requirement for Windows 11. While it’s possible to install the operating system on systems with less memory, you may experience slow performance and other issues as data may need to be cached on a hard drive.
There are rumors that the next version of Windows, possibly named Windows 12, will focus on AI and may require a minimum of 16GB of RAM. This would be a significant increase from the previous generation.
These rumors come from research firm Trendforce, which stated in a press release, “Microsoft has set the baseline for DRAM in AI PCs at 16 GB.” The firm also projects a rise in annual demand for PC DRAM bits due to the popularity of AI PCs.
Trendforce also mentioned that AI PCs will require at least 16 gigabytes of RAM and NPUs (Neural Processing Units) meeting the 40 TOPS requirement. Some of the latest silicon, like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, AMD’s Strix Point, and Intel’s Lunar Lake platforms, support these requirements.
With 16GB of RAM as the requirement and a fast NPU, Windows AI systems may limit upgrade capabilities. It’s possible that they may only be available for purchase and not upgradable. Microsoft is expected to reveal more about the next version of Windows later this year.
