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Microsoft recently published a support document for Windows gaming that served as a guide for hardware choices leading into 2026
According to Tom's Hardware, the document was deleted 24 hours later, presumably because it suggested that 16GB of RAM is now just a "practical starting point" for gamers.
For those looking to be future-proof, the company recommended 16GB and 32GB for beginners and enthusiasts, respectively.
The logic is simple: Extra RAM allows you to run apps like Discord alongside AAA titles without your system relying on a slow page file
Integrated graphics and GPUs with limited VRAM, too, benefit from the extra space when assets spill over during heavy workloads.
Microsoft also insists that the operating system and active games should live on an SSD, rather than a traditional hard drive.
These recommended upgrades arrive as RAM prices spike because the AI boom is hogging production lines across the globe
It is a bitter pill for many, especially since Microsoft is reportedly spending USD190 billion (RM752.9 billion) on AI this year.
While 32GB feels like a lot today, it is clear that the goalposts for a smooth gaming experience are shifting rapidly.
