Microsoft Now Recommends 32 GB RAM as a “No Worries” Upgrade for Windows 11

Microsoft has published an updated support document outlining what the company believes the best Windows 11 gaming PC systems have in common. Among the listed specifications, Microsoft makes an interesting note about the system’s RAM capacity configuration. The document suggests that 16 GB is a baseline for a modern PC, describing it as a good “starting point.” However, the company recommends that gamers aim to surpass this baseline, as it now suggests 32 GB as a “no worries” upgrade for gaming PCs. This higher RAM capacity makes running multiple workloads much easier, which is naturally true, but raises question about the feasibility of Microsoft’s future plans to bring more optimizations to the operating system.

Most TechPowerUp readers are PC enthusiasts who understand how a RAM-limited system performs and know that more RAM is almost always better. However, in an era where the DRAM shortage is making it difficult for enthusiasts to easily buy more RAM, many are turning to more optimized operating systems like Linux-based distributions or even macOS, which is an entirely different platform. Microsoft now recommends a 32 GB capacity, stating it “helps if you run Discord, browsers, or streaming tools alongside your games.” The extra memory also provides newer titles with more breathing room as memory demands continue to rise. This might also indicate that Microsoft’s operating system is more RAM-hungry these days than it used to be, during a challenging time for RAM upgrades.

Earlier this year, Microsoft promised to address many user complaints, such as poor memory optimization within its flagship operating system, but these fixes have yet to be implemented. In the meantime, having more RAM is the only solution to keep operations running smoothly without issues. Until the newly leaked “Windows K2” project hits the market, which is expected to bring better overall performance, craftsmanship, and reliability, consumers will need to upgrade their systems to achieve optimal results. The question remains as to how willing consumers are to upgrade their RAM configuration and deal with the current Windows 11 experience, versus considering an alternative OS like a Linux-based distribution.