16GB vs 32GB RAM: 32GB is the right call if you're hitting swap

16GB stops swapping for most projects, but if you’re already maxing out 8GB with heavy VSTs, go straight to 32GB. Audio dropouts happen when RAM runs out and the system uses slow hard drive swap. 16GB handles decent projects, but loading five Kontakt libraries or multiple synths fills it fast—32GB is the de facto standard for serious producers.