For a simple vMix playlist, use 8GB RAM as the vendor’s general recommended baseline and treat 16GB as the more practical planning target for a dedicated streaming computer. That 16GB figure is not a tested minimum or a guarantee of 24/7 operation: actual demand depends on the whole production, and vMix publishes no RAM benchmark for a particular playlist size or duration.
What vMix recommends
| Guidance | What it says | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Supported Hardware page | 4GB DDR4 minimum; 8GB DDR4 recommended. vMix’s current requirements page, accessed October 3, 2026. | Use 8GB as the vendor’s general recommended baseline, not as a playlist-specific stability guarantee. |
| PC purchasing guide | “16GB of memory is recommended for most productions.” vMix’s guide was last updated November 11, 2020. | Use 16GB as a more cautious target, especially if the computer is doing more than playing a single playlist. |
The figures describe general system and production guidance, not a controlled test of nonstop YouTube playback. vMix does not publish a RAM-per-video, RAM-per-hour, or playlist-size threshold. The 16GB planning target is an inference from its broader production recommendation, not a universal requirement.
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Why a playlist may need less memory than loading every video
For a large collection of media files intended to play back-to-back, vMix’s List input is worth considering. vMix says List can play videos sequentially and loop, and notes that it does not require all videos to be loaded at once, which can consume system resources. It does not quantify the memory saved.
List and PlayList are different tools. List puts video or audio files into one input; its controls include Auto Next and Loop, and it supports M3U files. PlayList automates sequential switching among separate vMix inputs and also has a Loop option. Choose based on whether you want a list of media files in one input or a sequence of distinct production inputs. Neither feature comes with a published memory footprint by file count, codec, resolution, or duration.
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Choose a RAM target for your setup
Only a simple playlist and stream output
If the computer runs a single List input and a straightforward YouTube output, 8GB is the vendor’s general recommended baseline. For a more comfortable dedicated-machine plan, aim for 16GB; it gives more headroom but should not be read as a guarantee that a particular system will remain online nonstop.
Cameras, graphics, recording, or multiple outputs
When the same computer also handles cameras, overlays, several outputs, concurrent recording, high resolutions, or other applications, the simple-playlist guidance becomes less applicable. vMix recommends 16GB for most productions in its purchasing guide, but the actual system must be assessed as a complete build. vMix also identifies CPU and graphics-card capability as important: graphics performance affects how many HD inputs and simultaneous recording, streaming, and outputs are possible, while CPU and GPU contribute to processing and production work.
Rank #2
- Disclaimer: Maximum Speed requires overclocking/PC BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depend on system components, including motherboard and CPU
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Check the computer before buying memory
Do not buy a generic “16GB DDR4 RAM kit” without checking compatibility. Confirm the computer’s supported memory type, module form factor, maximum capacity, and available slots. vMix’s purchasing guide recommends at least two memory modules on most computers rather than one, but the right configuration depends on the machine.
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vMix describes List and PlayList as useful for basic 24/7 streaming. Loop is a playback control: List returns to its beginning when it reaches the end, and PlayList can start again after the sequence completes. That is not the same as a guarantee of unattended uptime or an automated broadcast schedule. vMix’s knowledge-base article, last updated January 17, 2025, says: “vMix is primarily designed for live streaming single events and as such does not support time of day scheduling.”
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vMix’s current product site identifies YouTube Live as an integration destination. A looped playlist can provide continuous playback, but a RAM figure alone cannot ensure a continuous stream; the computer, production workload, internet connection, and stream setup all matter.
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