AMD Is Catching Up To Intel
The CPU battle between AMD and Intel is getting more interesting. Recent user data from the end of 2025 shows that AMD is gaining ground and closing the gap on Intel. For a long time Intel has been the default choice in many gaming and productivity PCs but that is slowly changing as more people switch to AMD processors.
There are a few reasons why this shift is happening. Modern AMD CPUs offer strong multicore performance which is great for gaming, streaming and content creation all on the same system. Many of their desktop chips also deliver very competitive gaming frame rates while often coming in at attractive prices compared to similar Intel models.
On top of that AMD has a reputation for supporting their CPU sockets for several generations. This can make upgrades easier for PC builders because you can sometimes drop a newer CPU into an older motherboard after a BIOS update instead of replacing your entire platform. For budget conscious gamers that kind of flexibility is a big deal.
Intel is still a major force and continues to push high clock speeds and strong gaming performance. However the latest user trends suggest that more gamers and PC enthusiasts are at least considering AMD instead of automatically defaulting to Intel. The CPU market is now a real two way fight again which is great news if you are planning a new build.
Why Gamers Are Moving To 32GB Of RAM
Alongside the CPU shift another big trend is happening in gaming PCs. More and more gamers are upgrading to 32GB of memory or even higher. Not long ago 16GB was considered the sweet spot for most gaming builds but current games and workloads are starting to push beyond that.
Modern AAA titles often use a lot more RAM especially open world games with large detailed environments. If you like to keep Chrome tabs open, Discord running, game launchers in the background and maybe a streaming or recording app active at the same time 16GB can get tight very quickly. When your system runs out of free memory it has to use your storage drive as a backup which is far slower and can cause stutters or long loading times.
With 32GB of RAM you give your system more breathing room. Games have more space to load high resolution textures and assets and your background apps can stay open without tanking performance. This is especially useful if you
- Play modern AAA games at high or ultra settings
- Stream to platforms like Twitch while gaming
- Record gameplay for YouTube or TikTok
- Edit video or run creative apps like Photoshop alongside your games
The move to 32GB is not just about raw performance in a single game today. It is also about future proofing. As game engines evolve and developers target more powerful hardware memory requirements tend to creep up. Building with 32GB now can help your rig stay smooth for longer.
The Impact Of The Memory Crisis
The rush to buy more memory is happening at the same time as a memory crisis. This usually refers to supply and pricing problems in the market for RAM and sometimes other memory like SSDs. When production is disrupted or demand spikes prices often climb quickly and certain kits can become hard to find.
For gamers and PC builders that means two things. First upgrading to 32GB can become more expensive than expected if you wait too long. Second you might see popular speeds and brands go out of stock more often especially the sweet spot DDR4 and DDR5 kits that balance price and performance.
If you are planning a new build or an upgrade there are a few smart moves you can make.
- Decide your target capacity early. If you think you will want 32GB eventually it can be cheaper and easier to buy it now rather than starting with 16GB and upgrading mid crisis.
- Watch both speed and timings. For gaming on modern platforms a good mid range DDR4 or DDR5 kit is usually enough. You do not always need the most expensive ultra high speed memory to get great results.
- Keep an eye on bundle deals. Some retailers and system builders offer discounts when you grab a CPU motherboard and RAM together which can soften the impact of higher memory prices.
The combination of AMD gaining ground and gamers jumping to 32GB of RAM shows where the PC market is heading. Competition in CPUs is stronger than it has been in years and modern games plus multitasking are pushing memory needs higher. If you are into PC gaming or planning to build a new system soon it is a good time to pay attention to these trends and plan your upgrade path before prices and availability shift again.
Original article and image: https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/amd-closes-in-on-intel-in-latest-steam-hardware-survey-ram-capacity-continues-to-rise-despite-the-ongoing-memory-crunch
