RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a very common term and is one of the most essential parts of a computing device.
At present, modern electronic devices such as tablets, phones, and PCs generally have RAM ranging from 2 GB to 32 GB. But the vital question is, how much RAM do I need?
Let us figure that out in detail.
First of all, you must gain an understanding of the meaning of RAM.
What is RAM?
RAM is a highly vital component in all computing devices.
Basically, it’s a high-speed component that acts as a storage house for all the information required by your device at present or in future. Without it, the speed of your device turns incredibly slower.
It is an extremely fast process to access data from the RAM. Although hard drives provide long-term storage, they are comparatively slower.
Now, after inheriting the basic concept of RAM, let us move towards grasping the procedure to install RAM.
How to install RAM?
Firstly, upgrading RAM helps you to run more intensive applications with much quicker speeds and makes your device overall speedy.
Now, It’s time to walk you through the guide to installing RAM in a step-by-step fashion.
First of all, you must check your memory support. For that, check the motherboard manual.
In case you do not have a manual, you can look at the model number printed on the board itself. Use this number on the internet to search for your manual. You get to see a list of several memory modules.
The purpose here is to find the capacity and speed limit of your motherboard with the help of the manual. This assists you in not making a wrong purchase that may overpower the speed and the capacity of your motherboard.
There are different types of RAM in computers. The modern motherboards at present support DDR4, which ranges from 2133 MHz to 4700 MHz.
But, if you own an old PC, your system may support only DDR3 or DDR2 memory. Keep a check!
Now, let us move toward a step-by-step guide to installing RAM.
Step 1: The first step is disconnecting your power cable from your device and other panel cables to safely keep your system aside.
Step 2: Now, remove the side panel. The RAM slots should now be visible. They are long and situated on the right side of the processor. There are 2-8 RAM slots with wings on each end.
You have to press these slots downwards to the motherboard to eject them so you can take out the old RAM.
Step 3: Your online manual should come in handy in this step as you have to find out the correct slot where you need to insert the new memory. Each slot signifies the bandwidth that your RAM has.
Sometimes, the motherboards accept the second and fourth slots and other times, the first and third. Therefore, it becomes essential to check your motherboard manual first and then take the appropriate step.
Now, you have to line up the stick correctly and press down the edges till the moment the stick gets locked into its appropriate slot. As soon as it does, the wings clamp and hold the memory.
The process can be a tad bit complicated, but you must remember to not force anything. As it may cause damage to the system.
Step 4: When all the sticks are aligned in their appropriate slots, check if the wing clips are locked in. After double-checking everything, you must close the PC. Plug your system and boot it.
Now, moving on to our core topic, here are some guidelines to help you pick the most appropriate amount of RAM for your system.
How much RAM do I need?
The RAM requirement varies from program to program. But the minimum amount of RAM needed stays the same. You may have to add more RAM according to your needs in future. The reason is, that the applications are insanely slow in case of lesser RAM.
There may be a case where you encapsulate excessive RAM. For instance, if you use 12 GB of RAM for a PC and own a 16 GB kit that upgrades to 32GB, it won’t bring major changes to your performance as there is no requirement depending on your usage. Therefore, you have wasted your money here.
This is why it is essential for you to choose a capacity that matches your requirements.
Here are some examples:
4 GB: if you are running on an extreme budget, you can go for 4 GB RAM for PC. It can be used in some tablets or low and chrome books.
8 GB: if you are a basic Windows gamer with lower settings, you can pick 8 GB RAM for PC. It is generally installed in several entry-level notebooks.
32 GB: 38 GB RAM for PC is considered an appropriate pick. It is beneficial for gamers as they can also boost the performance levels in some heavy games.
64 GB: if you are an owner of any workstation or a professional editor, engineer, or in related fields, then you can go for it.
Moreover, pay note to the fact that you are not confused between system RAM and dedicated memory used by the graphic cards. As some users do!
When it comes to professional 3D games, they rely on VRAM or Video RAM. Most of the graphic cards presently use GDDR5, GDDR6, GDDR6X.
On the other hand, system RAM can be identified as DDR3 or DDR4. Precisely, with the number that identifies the generation.
Now, if you are searching for appropriate RAM for your computing devices, here is a list.
- RAM for Tablets
- RAM for Laptops
- RAM for Desktops
- RAM for Gaming
How much RAM do I need for Tablets
Tablets are not used for heavy usage. Therefore, the RAM requirement stays low. The current specifications generally range from 2 GB to 16 GB of RAM.
There are other considerations also, for instance, processor speed or battery life.
In a nutshell, here are the guidelines for choosing RAM for a tablet:
4 GB: for lightweight users.
8 GB: A decent usage for most tablet cases.
16 GB: if you wish to use a tablet as your primary working device.
How much ram do I need laptop
At present, most of the laptops carry 8 GB of RAM for normal usage. Whereas, it may range from 16 GB up to 32 GB, promising a power-packed performance in the gaming notebooks.
When we talk about the chrome book, it majorly depends on the cloud-based applications and presents less storage space. In this case, you may just need 8 GB of RAM.
Whereas for Windows and macOS, 8 GB of RAM is marked as the base point that can be further escalated to 16 GB. At present most of the laptops have 16 GB of RAM. The applications and the games run smoothly. If you are a professional gamer or a graphic designer, this is the best pick for you.
Moreover, if you want to edit heavy files such as video or photo files, then you may have to escalate your RAM accordingly.
RAM for Desktops
Desktops are bought for a longer period of time as compared to tablets and laptops. Hence, you must consider and understand the best specifications for your desktop.
For starters, 16 GB of RAM is a decent choice. If you are an avid user or a professional, then you can escalate it to 32 GB. You may have to loosen your pockets but great speeds and a smooth experience is guaranteed.
Anything above this range is essentially the need of corporations, organisations, or business giants.
How much RAM do I need for gaming
In case you are a gamer, you can start with 16 GB of RAM for your gaming PC. Some games will work perfectly well, but if you can inhabit some extra capacity, you can also run several applications while gaming.
Therefore, if you wish to run several applications at the time you are playing, then 32 GB of RAM helps you in a smooth experience.
Conclusion
As you can understand, RAM plays a vital role in providing you with a smooth experience while you work with several computing devices.
You must analyse your requirements first and then land on a wise choice. RAM is not that expensive and is the easiest component to upgrade on your devices.
As they say, the more, the better! But, in a nutshell, if you are a gamer, 32 GB is enough for you. Or, if you are a regular audience of several web platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, etc., you can choose 16 GB of RAM!
We hope that this article helps you to understand the concept of RAM and sort out your ambiguities.
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