16GB vs 32GB RAM for running VMs: 32GB gives the host breathing room so the VM doesn't suffer

For the VM itself, 8GB is 8GB — but the host still needs RAM for its OS, browser tabs, and other apps. With 16GB total, the host may start swapping once the VM takes 8GB, slowing everything down. 32GB avoids that swap file dance, keeping both host and VM happy. If you’re only running the VM with nothing else open, 16GB is fine; for real testing with other apps, 32GB is the right call.