RAM: 16 GB is the minimum, but dual-channel matters too

How much RAM do you really need?

• 8 GB — not enough: the OS, browser and messengers eat 6–10 GB, plus memory reserved for integrated graphics.
• 16 GB — the absolute minimum in 2026.
• 32 GB — the comfortable standard, especially for media, gaming and editing.

Dual-channel — an often-missed detail

Memory should run in dual-channel mode (two modules, e.g. 2×8 GB or 2×16 GB), not as a single module. One module cuts bandwidth in half and can drop integrated-GPU performance by 30–40%.

DDR5 vs DDR4

DDR5 (5600–6400 MT/s) is the current standard and includes on-die ECC. DDR4 survives only in budget desktops on old platforms — avoid those if you plan to keep the machine long.

Laptops: soldered memory

In ultrabooks RAM is often soldered (LPDDR5X) — it cannot be upgraded later. If you buy such a laptop for the long run, order the maximum configuration you may need (ideally 32 GB) up front.

The trap: ultra-high-frequency DDR5

DDR5-7200+ modules are enthusiast territory — in non-overclocked setups they can introduce memory-controller instability and cost more, with no tangible gain in everyday use. DDR5-5600/6000 in dual-channel is the optimal price-to-performance point.

Rule of thumb

Minimum 16 GB, preferably 32 GB, always dual-channel. For thin laptops with soldered memory, decide capacity at purchase time — there is no later upgrade.