Gaming on a PC with only 8GB of RAM may seem limiting, but many great games will run superbly with this amount of memory. While more RAM is always better, you can still enjoy smooth performance and high graphics settings in various popular titles.
In this article, we’ll cover the system requirements for running games on 8GB of RAM, the best 8GB RAM games across various genres, tips for optimizing your gaming experience, and address some frequently asked questions. Let’s dive in!
Best 8GB RAM PC Games
System Requirements for 8GB RAM Gaming
While 8GB of RAM meets the minimum requirement for most modern games, you’ll also need a reasonably powerful CPU and GPU to achieve smooth framerates. Here are the other key components for 8GB RAM gaming:
CPU
A 4-core processor around 3GHz or higher is recommended. Popular options include the Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600. More cores will allow you to multitask and run additional apps in the background.
GPU
Aim for an NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580 graphics card. These offer superb 1080p performance in most titles. More VRAM (6GB or 8GB) will allow you to use higher textures.
Storage
Install games on an SSD rather than a HDD for much faster load times. 500GB is a good starting point if only installing a few games.
Operating System
Windows 10 64-bit is recommended as it offers better memory management over Windows 7 or 8.1.
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Top 8GB RAM Games
Here are some of the best PC games that run great on 8GB of system RAM:
1. Minecraft
Gameplay
It is the quintessential sandbox Minecraft game where you mine blocks and craft worlds and structures. Survival and creative modes offer different experiences.
Graphics
The old-school pixelated graphics mean Minecraft runs well on almost any system. You can use texture packs to enhance visuals.
Modding Community
Thousands of mods allow you to transform the game in countless ways. There are mods to improve visuals, add new mechanics, and more.
2. Valorant
Gameplay
In Valorant, Tactical 5v5 FPS gameplay focused on precise gunplay, unique agent abilities, and competitive team play.
Graphics
The visuals have a smooth, stylized look that allows Valorant to run on most mainstream hardware.
Competitive Scene
Ranked matchmaking and an esports scene make Valorant a popular title for competitive players.
3. Fortnite
Battle Royale Mode
In Fortnite, 100-player PVP battle royale mode is fast-paced and addictive. You scavenge for weapons and build structures.
Building Mechanics
Fortnite’s building system sets it apart from other battle royale games. Quickly building walls and ramps mid-fight is a must-have skill.
Frequent Updates
Epic Games constantly adds new content and seasonal updates to keep the game feeling fresh. Limited-time events like concerts also occur.
4. League of Legends
Variety of Champions
League of Legends With over 150 champions, you’ll find diverse abilities and playstyles to master. Champions are divided into classes like tank, marksman, mage, etc.
Strategic Gameplay
Matches involve many strategies regarding positioning, objective control, ganking, team fights, etc. Communication with your team is key.
Matches in League of Legends often involve strategies like lol boosting through positioning, objective control, ganking, team fights, and more, where communication with your team is key.
Established E-Sports Scene
LoL is one of the most prominent esports titles. The professional World Championship sees top teams competing for millions in prize money.
5. CS: GO
Iconic FPS Gameplay
CS: GO perfects the classic Counter-Strike 5v5 bomb defusal gameplay. Precise shooting, nade usage, and positioning are critical.
Competitive Matchmaking
The ranked competitive modes have leaderboards and visible skill ranks. Getting to the highest Global Elite rank is a badge of honor for dedicated players.
Customizable Experience
Mods, community servers, custom maps, and skins allow you to tailor the experience. Have fun in Surf or zombie mod servers.
6. Rocket League
Unique Car Soccer Premise
Instead of traditional soccer, in Rocket League, you play soccer with rocket-powered battle cars. The physics-based gameplay is intuitive yet hard to master.
High Skill Ceiling
From rookie to pro, there’s always room for improving your car control, aerials, dribbling, team plays, and more. Ranked mode keeps matches competitive.
Cross-Platform Support
Rocket League supports cross-platform multiplayer so you can play with friends on any system.
7. DOTA 2
Complex MOBA Gameplay
DOTA 2 has a steep learning curve with its 100+ heroes, complex stats/items, and team strategy. But mastering it is highly rewarding.
Huge Hero Pool
With over 100 unique heroes, you’ll keep discovering new playstyles and synergies between heroes even after hundreds of hours.
The International Tournament
This crowd-funded tournament offers record-breaking multimillion-dollar prize pools year after year, attracting all the top professional teams.
8. Apex Legends
Refined Battle Royale Experience
Apex Legends polishes the battle royale format with fluid movement, distinct legends, team respawning, and a great ping communication system.
Legends with Unique Abilities
The hero shooter element sets Apex apart. Each legend, like Wraith, Lifeline, and Pathfinder, has useful abilities for battle royale.
Ping Communication System
You can use contextual pings to alert your squad to loot enemies, strategic moves, and more without needing voice chat.
Optimizing Settings for 8GB RAM Gaming
To enjoy smooth performance on an 8GB RAM system, you can optimize your system and in-game settings:
Lower Graphics Settings
Lower resolution, turn off anti-aliasing, reduce textures, decrease draw distance, etc. Focus on framerate over fidelity.
Close Background Apps
Close any other memory-hungry programs like Chrome to free up as much RAM as possible for your game.
Use Razer Cortex
This free software boosts game performance by automatically closing unnecessary background processes and optimizing Windows settings.
Overclock Your RAM
Enable XMP in the BIOS to run your RAM at a higher frequency for a performance boost.
Conclusion
An 8GB RAM PC can deliver a smooth gaming experience if you stick to the right titles, optimize your settings, and manage your background tasks.
Focus on competitive online games rather than single-player graphical showcases to maximize fluid framerates. Closing apps before launching your game and overclocking your RAM can also help maximize performance.
With the right genre picks like MOBAs, competitive shooters, battle royales, and pixel art indies, 8GB is plenty for hours of entertainment. Overall frame rate and responsiveness are more important than cutting-edge visuals when gaming on this budget build.
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FAQs
What games should I avoid on 8GB RAM?
Avoid recent AAA open-world titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, as they require more than 8GB RAM.
How can I check my RAM usage while gaming?
Use Task Manager or RAMMap to monitor your memory usage and determine if you are maxing out your 8GB capacity during games.
Is single-channel or dual-channel RAM better for gaming?
Dual-channel RAM improves performance over single channel on integrated GPUs. On dedicated GPUs, a single channel is usually sufficient for most games.
Can adding more RAM improve gaming performance?
Yes, increasing RAM from 8GB to 16GB can provide a nice boost to minimum and average framerates in games, especially open-world titles.
What RAM speed is best for gaming?
For optimal gaming performance, aim for DDR4 RAM with a speed of at least 3000MHz or higher. Enabling XMP in your BIOS will run your RAM at its rated speed.
