PC Memory and MSFS

[Rob G 60]

Hi folks. Presently I have 32GB or 3200Mhz memory in my gaming PC. I just ordered 64GB of 3600Mhz memory for the machine for a variety of reasons. But I don't actually know if that will help using the sim or not. Can I get some feedback on whether the increased amount and speed of the memory will help performance of MSFS?

Thanks ..... Rob

[MrFuzzy 2,117]

I had 64 GB and it didn't make any difference, even before SU5 which reduced the RAM usage a lot.

[40track 80]

64GB DDR4 3200 running MSFS without Pagefile and NVME Drive Still stutters like old P3D v4 So i grabbed a PCIE 4 NVME drive to see if that may texture stream better install and custom folder from the c drive. Find out next week.

Edited January 15, 2022 by 40track

[Bobsk8 12,489]

I only have 16GB and everything is smooth as silk, rarely do I see over 10 GB used. 

[bvdboomen 256]

Just now, Bobsk8 said:

I only have 16GB and everything is smooth as silk, rarely do I see over 10 GB used. 

Same here. Only 16GB and smooth as silk. I just did a flight around Tokyo (PG on) and had Google Maps (satellite view) open to find spots I've visited IRL.
My computer: Intel i7 8700K, Nvidia 1080ti and 16GB 2667MHz.
MSFS: everything High and Clouds and some others on Ultra. Scenery LOD200. Flying mostly GA and some fast jets.

[Holdit 551]

Likewise. 16GB - no problems.

[DAD 2,648]

25 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

I only have 16GB and everything is smooth as silk, rarely do I see over 10 GB used. 

Same. 32 here but never used by MSFS 

[Maladoror 89]

I have ran it with 32GB of DDR3, 16 and 32GB of DDR4, and 64MB of DDR5 and you do not need more than 16GB. You do need memory bandwidth, that makes a difference.

[Ricardo41 5,935]

8 GB - no problems.

😏

[hanhamreds 592]

No amount of RAM will fix frame time issues👍

[NBouc 54]

Wasn't it Bill gates that once said that a PC would never need more than 640 KB ? 😉

[DeepestRed 214]

As others have said, 32GB should be more than enough for the sim running on its own -- many people get by with 16 at full settings with no trouble.   That doesn't mean there isn't merit in having more if you're doing other things that can take advantage of it.

That said, one other thing to think about with memory is a trap that people often fall into:   clock frequency is only a portion of what goes into total RAM speed.   The CAS latency has a big impact, too.   If you're going from 3200 C16 RAM to 3600 C18, two very common values, you're actually not changing the true latency at all:  in both cases, it's 20ns, and you will see very similar performance between the two.  

Edited January 18, 2022 by DeepestRed

[40track 80]

DDR4 32 max Intel 3200 or AMD 3600. 3-4 years when DDR5 is the new DDR4 and games have progressed then 64GB. If your sim is smooth then then that's good. If not and your hardware is up to it a M2 PCIE 4x drive may give better bang for your buck for now providing you have the OS and MSFS custom folder on that same drive.

Edited January 18, 2022 by 40track
Added info

[Seven7 148]

I have 32 Gb but I don't think I seen one time it was used at 100 % in MSFS, so, yes, it's probably more than enough.