Whether you’re a gamer, student, or white-collar worker, a RAM upgrade can transform your sluggish PC into a high-speed beast. Plus, extra memory can provide a much-needed productivity boost, letting you work faster (or kill more enemies) than ever before.
But more memory isn’t always better. In this article, we’ll discuss the role of RAM in computer performance and when to upgrade your RAM.
What Does RAM Do in a Computer?
Short for Read-Only Memory, RAM is temporary memory a processor uses to store or access data and execute instructions. Using temp memory rather than regular storage facilitates faster access to apps, datasets, and processes. Put simply, RAM makes your PC run quicker, especially when performing complex functions or multitasking.
But more RAM isn’t necessarily better; temporary memory has diminishing returns. Unless you’re experiencing a bottleneck, adding extra RAM may not improve performance at all. RAM is volatile memory; it gets wiped clean whenever you restart your PC. Computers save anything you keep permanently (documents, photos, records, etc.) into storage instead.
How RAM Affects PC Speed and Performance
Abundant high-speed RAM entails various benefits:
- Better Responsiveness: PC’s with insufficient short-term memory can become sluggish. Adding extra RAM bolsters overall performance.
- Faster Load times: A slow-loading app is a tell-tale sign of lacklustre RAM. Extra memory lets you work or play without the frustrating wait.
- Efficient multitasking: Extra RAM helps your processor run simultaneous apps more efficiently.
When Should You Upgrade Your RAM?
If adding RAM makes your computer faster, you should sprint to the store to buy more, right?
Not necessarily. There are many reasons a computer could perform poorly: an outdated CPU/GPU, a full-to-the-brim storage drive, a nasty virus, an overloaded cache, a lousy internet connection.
It’s crucial to work out whether temp memory is really slowing you down. Keep an eye out for the signs your computer needs more RAM.
- Slow responsiveness
- Crashes during resource-hungry processes
- Stuttering while gaming, even with a good GPU
- Memory error messages warning of RAM-related woes
- Bad multi-tasking performance
None of these situations proves insufficient RAM is the culprit, so perform the following test.
When you experience sluggish performance, open the Windows Task Manager (Control + Alt + Delete) or the Apple Activity Monitor (Command + Option + Escape) to review your RAM usage. Repeat this step multiple times during different slowdowns. If you’re regularly using 80% of your RAM or more, you’ve likely got a memory bottleneck.
Try the following:
- Reboot your computer to clear the cache and free up more memory
- Cut back on multitasking or running resource-hungry apps
- Upgrade your RAM
Benefits of Upgrading RAM
- Speedier system reboots and application load times
- Fewer multi-tasking slowdowns
- Faster browsing with multiple tabs
- Enhanced productivity with resource-hungry software
- Smoother gameplay (especially when streaming)
Of course, you’ll only reap these benefits if insufficient RAM was the problem in the first place.
Check the following before buying more RAM:
- You have a spare memory module on your motherboard.
- That module supports the correct RAM type (DDR4, DDR5, etc.)
- Your processor, operating system, and power supply can support extra RAM.
- The new RAM matches the speed, type (DDR4, DDR5, etc.), and timings of your existing RAM.
- Your new RAM is the same brand as the old RAM (recommended but not strictly required).
DDR4 vs DDR5 RAM: What’s the Difference?
Released during the crazy COVID era, DDR5 RAM is the latest generation of temporary memory. This relatively recent innovation offers substantially superior speed, capacity, and bandwidth than its predecessor, DDR4 RAM.
Improved power management architecture also enhances efficiency to improve battery life. While DDR4 can run up to 3200MHz, DDR5 flies at a blistering 6400MHz. Higher latency and faster bandwidth also give DDR5 an edge.
| DDR4 | DDR5 | |
| Release Year | 2014 | 2020 |
| Base Transfer Rate | 1,600–3,200 MT/s | 4,800–8,400+ MT/s |
| Max Capacity | Up to 64 GB | Up to 128 GB (even higher is possible) |
| Voltage | 1.2v | 1.1v (better power efficiency) |
| Latency | Lower | Higher |
| Bandwidth | Up to 25.6 GB/s | Up to 67.2 GB/s |
So, should you upgrade from DDR4 to DDR5?
It’s worth the splurge for power users requiring boatloads of temporary memory. DDR5 is a game-changer for resource-hungry processes like 3D rendering, video editing, gaming (especially when streaming), heavy multitasking, and running virtual machines.
But a RAM change might be overkill for the everyday user. Remember, you’ll need to replace the existing DDR4 RAM (you can’t mix-and-match DDR4/DDR5) and ensure compatibility.
How Much RAM Do You Really Need?
Here are our RAM size recommendations for different tasks.
Everyday users: 8GB – 16GB
Are you a typical PC user who spends the day tapping away on Google Docs or watching obscure YouTube videos? You only need 8GB of RAM. Professionals and frequent multitaskers seeking optimal productivity may wish to bump that up to 16GB.
Gamers: 16GB – 32GB
Whether you’re battling opponents in an FPS or diving into the latest single-player AAA title, 16GB of RAM will ensure a smooth gaming experience. Consider 32GB if you plan to stream or want to futureproof your setup.
Video Editors and 3D Modellers: 32GB – 64GB
Rendering complex animations and high-definition video requires a large amount of temporary memory. While 32GB of RAM is usually sufficient for casual users of Adobe Premiere or After Effects, professionals working with 4K content will benefit from 64GB to significantly speed up rendering times.
Need Help Upgrading Your RAM? Call Geeks2U
Not sure whether you need more RAM? Or perhaps you want help verifying compatibility or installing a new chip into the memory module?
Give Geeks2U a call today. Our friendly technicians offer a range of computer upgrades and can resolve all your RAM-related woes.
FAQs
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1. How does RAM affect my computer’s speed?
RAM makes a PC run faster by using temporary memory instead of storage to improve transfer rates.
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2. When should I upgrade my RAM?
You should upgrade your RAM once you have confirmed a memory bottleneck.
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3. What are the benefits of upgrading RAM?
Upgrading RAM can improve responsiveness, load times, and multitasking.
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4. What’s the difference between DDR4 and DDR5 RAM?
DDR5 is the latest type of RAM and offers better speed, bandwidth, capacity, and other benefits.
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5. How much RAM do I need for gaming or work?
8GB of RAM is sufficient for simple work tasks, while 16GB is good enough for most games.
