Original data · updated automatically
How much RAM do games and apps need — and can your laptop reach it?
What software asks for
Shares are calculated over the 189 of 202 applications that publish a minimum RAM figure.
Median minimum RAM
8 GB
Across 189 applications.
Median recommended RAM
16 GB
Across 170 applications that publish one.
Median minimum storage
50 GB
Across 170 applications.
Mention macOS
39.3%
79 applications list macOS support in their requirements.
Minimum RAM required
Among 189 applications.
- 4 GB or less48 apps · 25.4%
- 5–8 GB106 apps · 56.1%
- 9–12 GB6 apps · 3.2%
- 13–16 GB29 apps · 15.3%
Recommended RAM
Among 170 applications that publish a recommended tier.
- 4 GB or less8 apps · 4.7%
- 5–8 GB50 apps · 29.4%
- 9–12 GB11 apps · 6.5%
- 13–16 GB89 apps · 52.4%
- More than 16 GB12 apps · 7.1%
Minimum storage required
Among 170 applications.
- Under 25 GB53 apps · 31.2%
- 25–49 GB22 apps · 12.9%
- 50–99 GB59 apps · 34.7%
- 100 GB or more36 apps · 21.2%
Applications by category
- Gaming179 apps · 88.6%
- Development9 apps · 4.5%
- Creative3 apps · 1.5%
- Photography3 apps · 1.5%
- Productivity3 apps · 1.5%
- Video3 apps · 1.5%
- 3D / CAD1 apps · 0.5%
- AI1 apps · 0.5%
What laptops can reach
Based on the 291 of 317 laptop models with a documented maximum RAM. "Can be configured to" counts the maximum the manufacturer lists — including soldered configurations you must choose at purchase, so it is a ceiling, not what ships.
Can reach 8 GB
100%
291 of 291 models.
Can reach 16 GB
99.7%
290 of 291 models.
Can reach 32 GB
88.3%
257 of 291 models.
Can reach 64 GB
50.9%
148 of 291 models.
In other words: 99.7% of catalogued laptops can be configured to 16 GB or more, and 88.3% to 32 GB or more. Whether a specific laptop can be upgraded later is a separate question — see the upgradeability report.
Methodology
Requirement figures are transcribed from each publisher's own published system requirements (Steam store listings and vendor documentation); every application page cites its source and retrieval date. An application that publishes no figure for a field is excluded from that share and counted separately — never treated as zero. RAM ceilings come from the same source-verified laptop records shown on each model page. The sample is the games and applications LaptopCompat has sourced so far, not the whole software market, so read every figure as describing this database. Check a specific pairing in What Can I Run? or see how much RAM you need. Found an error? Tell us.
License and reuse
The aggregate statistics, tables and charts on this page, and this page’s methodology text, were calculated and written by LaptopCompat. You may copy, share and adapt them — including commercially — under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, provided you give credit.
Download this report’s data (CSV) — every row carries the credit line.
Suggested credit: Source: LaptopCompat — How Much RAM Do Games and Apps Need? Requirements Report (https://laptopcompat.com/research/laptop-ram-requirements-report)
This license covers only that material. It does not cover:
- the individual laptop and accessory specification records, or the underlying LaptopCompat database — these compile information from manufacturers’ and other publishers’ documentation, which remains the property of its owners;
- any manufacturer or third-party document, product name, logo or trademark;
- product images, and the rest of this website and its software.
Nothing here permits bulk extraction of the database — see our Terms of Use. Spotted an error in a figure? Tell us.