32GB RAM is worth it for Lightroom.

Yes. If you work with large raw files (say, 24MP or bigger) or stitch panoramas and merge HDR, 32GB makes a real difference.

Lightroom loves RAM. It loads previews, holds your edit history, and keeps multiple images in memory while you flag and rate. With 16GB, you’re constantly hitting swap once you have a few hundred photos in a catalog, a browser with 20 tabs, and Lightroom running. The slowdown is real — scrolling gets choppy, adjustments lag, export takes longer.

32GB gives you breathing room. You won’t notice it in every single edit, but you’ll never have to baby your system while culling a wedding shoot or masking a landscape. It’s one of those upgrades Future You will thank you for.

If you only shoot small JPEGs or rarely touch more than a handful of files, 16GB is fine. But for heavy Lightroom work? 32GB is the safe bet.