Short answer: Yes.
But it’s not the main player.
If you’re running low on RAM, your system can stutter, especially in modern games. Think random frame drops when your memory maxes out. Adding more RAM can help smooth things out, but don’t expect a massive FPS jump just from that.
Upgrading your GPU or CPU usually has a bigger impact on FPS.
Does RAM Size Affect FPS?
Yeah, RAM size can mess with your FPS, no doubt.
More RAM means your system can juggle more data without dipping into slow storage. I mean no one wants their game running like it’s on a dial-up connection, right?
For playing modern AAA like Red Dead Redemption 2 or Valhalla, 16GB is the sweet spot. But running those with 8GB? Good luck—expect stutters like you’re trying to play on a 10-year-old rig.
Upgrading from 8GB to 16GB? Yeah, that’s where you’ll feel the FPS bump, especially in open-world games that love eating up memory.
But going past 16GB?
Don’t kid yourself—unless you’re multitasking like a madman, you won’t see much FPS change. For lighter stuff like CS or League, 16GB is plenty.
Now, if you’re into extremely demanding games like Microsoft Flight Simulator or Star Citizen or streaming/recording while playing, then yeah, more RAM will help keep things running smoothly.
In those cases, more RAM means your system can handle more assets, processes, and background tasks simultaneously without slowing down.
Does RAM Speed Affect FPS?
Yep, RAM speed can affect FPS, but only in certain situations.
It’s not like flipping a switch for a massive FPS boost.
Sure, faster RAM lets your system move data quicker between the CPU and RAM, which helps reduce bottlenecks. For CPU-bound games like Civilization VI or Total War, higher RAM speed can help.
Upgrading from 2133MHz to 3600MHz might give you a noticeable FPS bump—nothing crazy, but it’s there. In the real world, you’re looking at around a 5-10% FPS improvement, depending on the game. So, yeah, it’s nice, but not game-changing.
Now, for GPU-heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Metro Exodus?
Don’t expect RAM speed to save the day. Your GPU is doing most of the work here, so RAM speed won’t impact your frames much.
But if you’re running an APU (like those Ryzen chips with integrated graphics), faster RAM actually makes a bigger difference. (Since the integrated graphics rely on system RAM for video memory, bumping up your RAM speed can give you a more noticeable FPS boost.)
When RAM Latency Matters
RAM latency is the delay between your system asking for data and the RAM delivering it.
Sounds like a big deal, right?
Not always.
For casual gaming, it doesn’t really matter much for FPS. I mean you won’t notice a difference between CL16 and CL18 in your weekend gaming sessions.
But in competitive gaming, where every millisecond counts?
Lower latency can give you a slight edge. (We’re talking CL14 or CL16—lower latency means faster data retrieval, which can make input responses a bit snappier.) In fast-paced games like Valorant or CS:GO, those microseconds could be the difference between landing that headshot or missing it.
If you’re running memory-intensive tasks or really want that split-second advantage in esports titles, lower latency helps. Just remember: it usually comes with a higher price tag.
RAM vs GPU/CPU: What has the bigger impact on FPS?
While RAM helps avoid bottlenecks, it’s your GPU and CPU that really crank up those FPS numbers.
Sure, upgrading from 8GB to 16GB of RAM gives you a nice boost in games that need more memory. But once you’ve got enough RAM for the game? The benefits drop off fast.
Now, what about GPU upgrades?
Honestly, that’s where you’ll see the real magic. (40-50% FPS-jump-kind-of-magic.) For example, going from a GTX 1060 to an RTX 3060? That’s a massive improvement in games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Meanwhile, adding more RAM from 16GB to 32GB?
You might get a 5-10% boost at best—and that’s if the game even cares about that much RAM.
For CPU-bound games like Flight Simulator, you’re better off upgrading your processor. Swapping an Intel i5-8400 for an i7-12700K can give you a solid 30% boost in FPS, especially in CPU-heavy titles. (Good luck getting that kind of gain from just throwing more RAM at it.)
Bottom line?
Once you hit 16GB of RAM, adding more won’t do much for your FPS. If you really want to see those frames jump—throw your money at a new GPU or CPU.
Don’t believe me?
Notice how upgrading beyond 16GB doesn’t have any gaming benefits listed, like that when you upgrade from a 9th gen CPU to a 14th-gen variant:
Maximizing RAM for FPS Gains: Practical Tips
Enough with the theory. Here are the best and quick tips to maximize FPS just by leveraging your RAM module’s abilities.
- Dual-channel setup: Always use dual-channel memory for better performance over a single module. (Two sticks > one
- Enable XMP profiles: Activate XMP in your BIOS to run RAM at its advertised speeds. (RAM is rated at 3600MHz, but it’s running at 2133MHz? Not cool.)
- Close background apps: Free up memory by shutting down unnecessary background tasks. (Chrome eating up your RAM with 50 tabs open while you’re trying to game? Yeah, close it.)
- VR/4K gaming: Higher resolutions need more RAM for smooth gameplay. (atleast 16GB)
- Virtual memory/page files: Use virtual memory as a temporary fix if you can’t upgrade RAM right away.