Why is everyone upgrading their RAM to 8GB and up??? Just for a gaming computer?

They simply know no better. 8 gigs is overkill, 16 is gross overkill. The average user will never use over 4 gigs even gaming. Their processors will be outdated before anyone ever programs gaming software that even comes close to using 8 gigs.

A lot of people have been saying they have and someone on Youtube even said they had 16 GB. But theres not such a big thing about processor or graphics cards which come into it a lot as well. But theres an easier way and cheaper way to get more RAM. Click on Start, go to Control panel and go to something that says System or Adjust system settings. Then click Advanced, settings, Advanced again, then change. Click custom size Type in anything you want for your RAM. Job done. I have 1 GB of RAM and some people says thats low but I can still play Spore, Minecraft, Euro Truck Sim ect.

Actually overkill is a bit of an over-statement. Really it depends on other hardware. For instance, if you have a quad-core processor with 4 core hyperthreading, then you have some serious computing power. But multithreading, not to me confused with multitasking, must be written into program design. So if a user uses programs that take advantage of multithreading, they need to have the other resources to back it up or it will simply bottleneck and will have no performance gain. Realistically, a processor with less cores and more speed may be better suited for a gamer and 4 GB will probably be plenty. However, I like to play games every now and again. But, I am also a developer that runs a testing server and other programs simultaneously. While multitasking is a different bird, the extra cores are utilized and the extra memory is beneficial. I had memory fail and I went to replace my previous 6GB. Seeing that 12 GB wasn't that much different in price, I opted to go with the 12. The difference for me was outstanding. I checked my resource monitor just now, and not running any games I am taking advantage of 4GB. So, long story short, one should keep in mind their specific needs when choosing RAM, but might also consider the price curve on any hardware is usually pretty steep to a point. Then the curve falls back on its face and prices are outrageous for little to no hardware gain. Hope that helps. :)

EDIT: I got a "rage" message from DrDave. Let me clarify. For "JUST" a gaming computer, that would be overkill. OK, I agreed with everyone... are we good? Can my family sleep at night? Very Good.

4gb is pretty much the standard norm for gaming these days. Some people get 8 gigs to future proof their system a little, but anything more then that and all their other components will be outdated before they get use out of 16 gigs of ram.

Yes 8 GB of ram is a lot... I seen a Alienware desktop with 32gb of ram, like that is retarted!

Ram and video processors are the two major factors for smooth, quality game play. It CANNOT ever hurt to have extra ram, the only thing is the price and practicality of have extra.

In conclusion extra ram is good but it isn't mandatory.

I have clients wanting to max out the ram in their computers (even put more than it can handle) all the time. Most are under the delusion that it will increase the speed of their computer (ha). For the most part, people just want their computer to run faster and some has told them to put more ram in it, they know how to use a computer... but don't know anything about a computer... IOW... complete ignorance.

You and DrDave are right, people are overkilling on ram because it is so cheap and they don't know any better. I even did it just to see as I was telling every one the same as you are then one day I saw 8 gigs of ddr3 1600 ram on sale at Newegg for $30 so I bought it just to see. Now I have 12 gigs and can't notice any difference from 4 gigs. I did it only because it was so cheap and I wanted to see if I was telling people the right thing.

soooo im guessing this is just a rage question? and besides people do that because either A, they have the money to do so, or B, they just want the best quality computer they can afford. Some people might also want that so that they can have high frames if they are commentating on a game. Either way, you really shouldnt rage about this since its someone else's life, not yours. No need to write an entire paragraph saying why you think this is stupid. I understand that you think its a waste to do something like upgrading their ram ( i do too) but its just better to let those people use their money like that, instead of wasting time raging about it.

Yup, yup and yup.

A lot of people say my 4gb is out of place in comparison to my rig. I don't care though. I never, ever use more then 4gb when using my PC.. Which is why I only have a total of 4gb. A lot of people here on Yahoo Answers recommend 8gb... I guess it's a futureproof, but I dunno.

I have a 64bit operating system, and 3 monitors so i use 8gb