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For a simple vMix YouTube playlist, use 8GB as the vendor’s general recommended baseline and aim for 16GB in a dedicated streaming PC. The 16GB figure is a practical planning target, not a tested minimum or a guarantee that a particular playlist will run uninterrupted. vMix’s official supported-hardware page lists 4GB DDR4 minimum and 8GB DDR4 recommended; its PC purchasing guide, last updated November 11, 2020, says 16GB is recommended for most productions.
Which RAM figure should you plan around?
| RAM | What the vMix guidance says | How to use the figure |
|---|---|---|
| 4GB DDR4 | Minimum on vMix’s Supported Hardware page, accessed October 3, 2026 | A vendor minimum, not a recommended target for a dedicated nonstop stream. |
| 8GB DDR4 | Recommended on the same Supported Hardware page | Use as the general baseline for a simple playlist setup. |
| 16GB | Recommended for most productions in vMix’s purchasing guide, last updated November 11, 2020 | A more comfortable planning target, especially if the stream includes other production work. |
These are vendor recommendations, not results from a controlled test of a nonstop YouTube playlist. vMix does not publish a RAM figure by playlist length, file count, codec, resolution, or hours of operation. In particular, do not interpret 16GB as a proven minimum for every configuration.
Does the playlist type affect memory needs?
List: one input containing multiple files
vMix’s List input can play video or audio files back to back, with Auto Next and Loop controls, and supports M3U files. vMix says List does not require all its videos to be loaded at once, which can consume system resources. That can make List worth considering when you have many files, but vMix does not quantify the memory saved or promise a particular RAM footprint.
PlayList: sequence separate vMix inputs
The separate PlayList feature automates sequential switching among inputs and has a Loop option that starts the playlist again when it reaches the end. It suits a sequence made from separate vMix inputs; it is not the same feature as putting a collection of files in a List.
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In either case, looping controls playback. It does not by itself guarantee unattended 24/7 uptime. vMix describes List and PlayList as useful for basic 24/7 streaming, but says it does not support time-of-day scheduling for full 24/7 television programming. Its knowledge base article about scheduling was last updated January 17, 2025.
When is 16GB the more sensible target?
The 8GB baseline is most relevant to a simple production with a playlist and straightforward output. The broader 16GB recommendation matters more when the same computer also runs cameras, graphics, several outputs, recording, or other applications. Higher resolutions and a more complex production also make a RAM-only estimate less useful.
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RAM is only one part of the system. vMix identifies processor, graphics, storage, and display requirements on its supported-hardware page; it also notes that graphics-card speed affects how many HD inputs and simultaneous recording, streaming, and outputs are possible. Its purchasing guide discusses CPU and GPU roles as well. More memory cannot compensate for an inadequate CPU or GPU, nor does a RAM amount alone predict the capacity of the whole production.
How to choose or upgrade RAM
- Check the computer first. Find the exact model or motherboard specifications and confirm supported memory type, module form factor, maximum capacity, and available slots. The 4GB and 8GB figures in vMix’s requirements are DDR4, but that does not establish that DDR4—or any particular module—fits your computer.
- Match the target to the workload. For a dedicated, simple playlist, treat 8GB as the baseline and plan for 16GB if practical. If the computer also handles production tasks, use the 16GB general-production guidance as the more relevant reference, then check the requirements of the other software and devices involved.
- Check module configuration. vMix’s 2020 purchasing guide recommends at least two memory modules on most computers rather than one. Follow the computer or motherboard maker’s supported configurations; do not buy a generic “16GB DDR4 RAM kit” without checking compatibility and the system’s capacity limit.
- Run your actual workload before relying on it. Test the intended files, looping behavior, stream output, graphics, recording, and any other tasks together. Observe memory use and system stability over a meaningful run. A short test can expose configuration problems, but it cannot prove future uninterrupted uptime.
Common problems and what to check
- Playback or streaming struggles despite enough installed RAM: Check CPU and GPU load, media compatibility, storage performance, and whether cameras, overlays, recording, or concurrent outputs are adding work. Installed memory alone does not diagnose the bottleneck.
- The list stops at the end instead of restarting: Check the List’s Loop control and confirm the intended list is the active input. In PlayList, check its separate Loop option.
- A large media collection seems to increase resource pressure: Consider whether List is appropriate; vMix says it need not load every video at once. No published figure predicts the reduction for a given set of files, so verify with the actual project.
- The stream stops even though the video loops: Playback looping and stream continuity are different things. Check the YouTube connection, the streaming computer, and the full production workflow; neither 8GB nor 16GB is a continuous-availability guarantee.
Copyright and YouTube considerations
RAM capacity does not grant rights to the music or video in a playlist. Before streaming, make sure you have the necessary rights or permissions for every item, including background music and material supplied by others. YouTube may act on copyrighted material, and a playlist intended to run continuously still needs to comply with YouTube’s policies. Repeated or reused material can also affect eligibility under YouTube’s monetization rules; looping a file does not make it original content.
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