5 Things to Know About RAM for Lightroom Raw Editing

16GB is the minimum for smooth Lightroom raw editing. With 8GB, your computer will swap to disk the moment you open a large raw file, causing constant lag and spinning beachballs.

Lightroom loads raw files into RAM for previews, edits, and caching. This makes it a memory hog, so more RAM directly reduces stuttering when adjusting sliders.

16GB handles day-to-day editing well, but heavy tasks still cause lag. Stacking many spot removals or using masks will slow down even 16GB systems.

High-megapixel cameras like the Sony A7R IV or Nikon Z7 demand 16GB as a baseline. For these cameras, 32GB is better if you also run other apps like Chrome.

The jump from 8GB to 16GB is dramatic. It is the difference between a frustrating experience and a usable one, so do not skimp on RAM.