Is 8GB RAM Enough For Windows 11? (Do this For Speed)

Do you require a laptop with more RAM than 8 GB? Or Have you ever thought Is 8GB RAM Enough For Windows 11? The answer to this question is yes, although it is not always clear. But in this blog post, we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having more or less RAM on your computer. If you’re unsure if 8GB of RAM is plenty for a laptop, keep reading because we’ll also provide some advice on how much RAM is best for you.

Is 8GB RAM Enough For Windows 11?

Your system should have at least 4GB of RAM if you intend to upgrade to Windows 11. Although 8GB of RAM is required for better performance, that is the bare minimum for Windows 11 to work.

Windows 11 Can Run On 4GB Of RAM, But Hardly

Let’s start by discussing the PC used for the test. The system in question is an HP Pavilion with an 11.6-inch screen. A Pentium Silver N5000 CPU drives it. It is a low-power component with an essential clock speed of 1.10 GHz and bursts up to 2.70 GHz, operating at a 5W TDP. In addition, a 128GB SSD is installed, and we naturally have 4 GB of DDR4 RAM.

This PC isn’t exactly top of the line, as you can undoubtedly see. It’s also not entirely new enough to support Windows 11. However, it qualifies for the upgrade and is operational. The TPM is present, and the CPU is of sufficient age. I, therefore, upgraded it from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Home for science (it originally came with Windows 10 in S mode).

Despite the limited processing capability of this PC, Windows 11 runs flawlessly on it. It allows me to use my browser to conduct light web browsing and even complete some work. However, before we reach our RAM limit, apps begin to reload or completely crash.

Opening Task Manager as soon as the computer is turned on reveals the complete mayhem occurring in the background: RAM utilization is set at over 80% without even using any programs. It can reach 90% use by launching tools like Search or taking a screenshot or snip. The remaining 10% is what additional applications can use before competing for resources with other processes and programs currently executing on the system.

The moment Chrome is opened, it spikes to 95%. Most of the time, browsing the web goes smoothly; however, I can only have four tabs open once before Chrome starts refreshing them. Having only 4 GB of RAM prevents you from multitasking on Windows 11 smoothly.

It is possible to attempt to utilize any other type of program, particularly graphic design software, but you won’t have a decent experience. Your system will struggle to divide resources between its operations and your programs so that it may chug a little or a lot.

Why Do You Need More RAM?

Random Access Memory is known as RAM. Computers use it to store the information that the CPU is currently processing. When the CPU processes data, it moves the processed data into the RAM for use. After the operation, the outcome will be sent to the hard disk.

As we are all aware, hard drives with slow read/write speeds cannot compete with the operation speed of a CPU. RAM is required to make them work together. RAM is a volatile memory that works with the CPU quickly. RAM can be considered the hard drive’s buffer between the CPU and it. These days, you might think about upgrading your computer’s RAM for the following reasons:

The RAM Consumption Of Applications Is Increasing

Until recently, PC users could get by with 8GB for everyday use, including gaming. The value is still sufficient today if you only run one game or a few apps. However, 8GB is insufficient to operate both of them. The features of apps are more and more powerful now than they were a few years ago, yet they are allocating and requiring more RAM.

You Are Utilizing RAM-Intensive Software

Generally speaking, programs utilize more RAM as app complexity rises. While a massive Excel spreadsheet, a massive Photoshop project, or a graphically complex game like Wolfenstein: Youngblood may use gigabytes by themselves, a chat program or a game like Minesweeper will take absolutely no RAM.

RAM Costs Have Been On The Down

The price of a 16GB (2 x 8 GB) bundle of G.Skill TridentZ DDR4 RAM, which was about $215 last year, has decreased by $100. A 32GB kit, sold for well over $300, is now available for less than $230.

More RAM Means More Apps Can Run At Once

Generally speaking, having more RAM on your computer allows you to open more Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other browser tabs. If your computer’s RAM runs out, it will write any further data to the page file on your hard drive or SSD, which can slow it down or perhaps create a malfunction. In any case, the better is more RAM. How much RAM do you need is the issue. Is 8GB RAM sufficient?

How Much RAM Should I Use for Windows 11?

A minimum of 8 GB of RAM. And upgrade to 16 GB if you can. It’s a no-go because 4 GB of RAM leaves no room for your apps to move around. When you start loading up several tabs, Chrome alone might consume 2 GB of space. Therefore, you need to add at least 4 GB extra to be able to run some programs in the background.

Even with 8 GB of RAM, it is still possible for some programs to crash and for your RAM usage to spike sometimes. Yet, you will at least be able to start programs, browse the web, accomplish tasks, and engage in some light multitasking without slowing down your entire computer.

16 GB of RAM is the sweet spot if you genuinely want to enjoy your experience. You can run Chrome and multiple other programs simultaneously, though you might find it challenging to reach high consumption levels initially.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Is 8GB RAM Enough For Windows 11? If you utilize more than a few browser tabs and other apps, 8GB RAM won’t be enough. However, if your device serves a single purpose and you don’t multitask, you’ll probably be fine. Given the situation, OEMs need to understand that it’s time to raise the bar on their standards.

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