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How much RAM does your Linux PC really need in 2025? I did the math


Forget the bare minimum. Here's how much RAM you actually need to get the most out of your Linux system.

RAM is crucial for speed and responsiveness, multitasking, better performance for demanding tasks, a smooth user experience, and future-proofing your computer. If you're using Linux for web browsing (with limited tabs), writing and editing documents, reading and sending email, chatting, and have no interest in gaming, 8GB will be OK. For what I do on my Linux system (which is a ton of tabs, editing big images with GIMP, a lot of virtual machines, and the usual productivity work), I need at least 32GB of RAM.

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