We use computers every day for many reasons. You will see computers in banks, police stations, and ticket counters basically everywhere. Besides, we use it for our personal and office work as well. So having a fast computer will not just speed up your work; it will save a lot of time. A few years ago, the usage of computers was very limited, and it was a very slow process. But now computers have become very powerful to handle all of our tasks.
There are many things that come into play when it comes to making a computer faster. You need a fast processor and GPU with a powerful cooling system. Along with that, your computer also needs enough RAM onboard to handle all the programs and important processes. So, in this article, we are going to explore whether adding more RAM makes your computer faster or not.
What is RAM?
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it is one of the most fundamental components of a computer. It is a very fast memory module used by computers for short-term data storage. Your computer actively uses it to keep running all the programs and applications.
Basically, RAM allows your computer to load any applications, games, and whatever you want to do on the computer. You can compare RAM with an HDD or SSD, as all of them store data. Unlike HDD or SSD, data stored in RAM goes away when you shut down the computer. But RAM offers significant speed and allows you to load and switch between apps with efficiency. So, the more programs you want to run at the same time, the more RAM capacity you will need on your computer.
How Much RAM Does Your Computer Need?
The RAM capacity of your computer actually depends upon the usage. If you want to do heavy tasks like playing games or video editing, then you will need more RAM. On the other side, if you use the computer to browse the internet and for social media, then it wouldn’t take up much space, and 4GB RAM will be enough for daily usage. Nowadays, almost every computer comes with at least 4GB of RAM, which is enough for all everyday tasks.
| Basic RAM | Normal | Recommended |
| 4GB | 8GB | 16GB |
Meanwhile, the recommended RAM capacity to have in 2022 is a minimum of 8GB. It is plenty and enough for multitasking. Although, if you are a video editor or a programmer, then you might need more. In that case, it would be nice to have 16GB RAM or more than that on the computer. So it all depends on the usage. You have to decide how much RAM you are going to need. So choose wisely when buying a computer.
How to Check RAM on Your Computer
There are a couple of ways to check the RAM on your computer. So if you don’t know the RAM size of your computer, follow the below procedures-
- As usual, please turn on your computer and wait for it to boot completely.
- After booting, right-click on the ‘Windows’ button at the bottom left corner, and it will show a pop-up menu.
- From that menu, click on the System option, and it will open up the About page. Now you will be able to see all important details, including the RAM size.
- You can also search Settings on the Windows search bar and go to the Settings menu. There click on the System options.
- Next, scroll down a bit on the left side panel and click on the About option. Now it will show the RAM capacity as well.
There is another way to get the onboard RAM size on your computer. For that-
- Type System Information on the Windows search bar and click on that option.
- After opening, click on the System Summary in the top left corner and look for the Installed Physical Memory section on the right-side panel.
- Now it will display your computer’s total RAM capacity.
Factors to Know Before Adding RAM
Before adding more RAM, open the task manager on your computer to check the actual RAM usage. If the RAM usage is reaching capacity, then it is time to add more RAM. Besides, if your computer is still using 2GB of RAM, then it is also a good time to add more RAM to that computer to get the best multitasking experience.
Another important thing is to check the RAM capacity recommended by the program. There are many games and programs that require a certain amount of RAM to get a smooth performance. So check that as well before adding more RAM. Besides, there are a few more things you need to know before you buy more RAM for your computer –
1RAM Technology
It is important to check the technology your computer supports. Right now, we have the latest-gen DDR5 RAMs on the market. You can get these RAMs, but only the newest machines support them. You cannot use it if your device has no support. Even if it works, you will not get the actual benefit of it. Although most of the machines you can find support DDR4 RAMs. So you should buy DDR4 memory sticks for your computer. However, if your computer is much older, then you need to check which type of RAM your computer supports DDR, DDR2, or DDR3. According to that, you have to add RAM to the computer.
2RAM Capacity
You need to check the maximum RAM capacity your computer supports as well. Every machine comes with a limit, and it cannot handle over the limit. Most budget computers come with a 16GB limit, while you will get more than 32GB or 64GB limit on high-end machines. To check the maximum capacity, you need to look at the manual. There should be written the maximum capacity your computer supports.
3Install RAM in Matching Pairs
It is recommended to divide the RAM capacity into pairs. If your machine has two slots, then it should be two memory sticks. Similarly, it should be in four pairs if there are four slots on your computer. Doing this way, your machine will get the maximum performance by using dual-channel technology. Moreover, the new RAM module should have the same specifications as the existing module. Mixing two different modules might cause instability. So it is better to have matching pairs. You can also remove the old one and add two new modules that have the same specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is RAM, and how does it work?
In short, RAM or Random Access Memory is the short-term memory that stores all the important data to run the system until you turn off the computer. It is also responsible for multitasking performance.
What is the recommended RAM capacity in 2024?
It is ideal to have 16GB of RAM to get a smooth multitasking experience in 2024. However, it all depends on the programs you use on the computer.
How can you check if the RAM can be upgraded?
This is an important question for laptop users. Most laptops come with two memory slots. However, there are many laptops that come with embedded or non-upgradable RAMs. To check, you can open the ‘Task Manager,’ go to the ‘Performance’ tab and click on the ‘Memory’ section. Now see if it shows 2 slots; you are good to go. You can also open the back cover to check whether the RAM can be upgraded or not.
Final Verdict
No one wants to use a slow and sluggish computer. If your computer is performing slowly, then the problem could be related to not having enough RAM. You can solve this problem by just adding more RAM to the computer. Although adding more RAM does not ensure your computer’s speed will increase drastically. But it will handle multitasking very easily, which eventually leads to a faster and smoother experience.
Adding more RAM might not be an easy task for everyone as the process is not the same for all. That is why we have discussed how you can add RAM by yourself and all the possible outcomes after adding RAM as well in this article. Besides, you can take help from a professional to add more RAM to your computer. We hope you have liked our article and it has helped you. You can also comment down below if there is something you want to ask.