When you type a word in your computer, save a file, or play a video game, data goes into your RAM (short-term memory). This information makes it easy for your PC to do its work.
The “Memory” tab in CPU-Z and Speccy shows virtually all of the memory information you need, including form factor, manufacturer, and part number.
Memory is a type of storage
Your computer uses RAM (random access memory) to quickly store and retrieve data. Every action you take on your computer—surfing the web, typing a document, or even moving your mouse cursor across the screen—depends on having sufficient RAM.
Unlike storage devices such as SSDs or HDDs, which retain data even when the computer is turned off, RAM loses all its data when the power is turned off. As such, it is designed for speed and serves as a workspace for active tasks.
The amount of RAM a computer can use directly correlates to its performance. The faster the processor, the more RAM it can have installed. Currently, most computers work with DDR4 RAM, which transmits data twice per clock cycle, which yields faster speeds. Other important metrics include latency, which measures how long it takes to access a memory cell, and transfer rate, which refers to the number of times a memory chip is accessed during each clock cycle.
It stores data
RAM is the short-term memory that stores the information your computer uses to work with applications and files. Its storage is much faster than the long-term storage of a hard drive or solid-state disk (SSD). However, it can only retain data as long as your computer has power.
When you need to access more than your RAM can hold, the operating system moves data from RAM into secondary storage, often called paging or swapping. This process can slow down your computer and may cause performance problems.
The amount of RAM you need depends on how much computing work you do and what software you use. Many manufacturers offer a wizard on their websites to help you determine how much RAM your computer will accept. If you’re buying RAM, it’s important to buy the right type for your computer. For example, most computers sold for home or office use have DIMM slots, while higher-end systems are moving to RIMM technology.
It’s fast
Every time you open a program or navigate the web, your computer performs many processes. These processes take up space and require a lot of data to execute, but most of the time they’re invisible to you. That’s because most of the work is done in RAM, which is like a digital countertop that stores data for short-term use. RAM is lightning-fast, and accessing data in RAM is orders of magnitudes faster than using a hard drive.
There are many things that influence the speed of your RAM, including capacity, frequency, and latency. Frequency and latency are important because they determine the amount of data that can be transferred between components. However, the amount of performance gained by lowering latency or increasing frequency depends on what you use your PC for and can be difficult to measure. In general, though, you can expect to see a performance boost by upgrading your memory. But you should make sure that the RAM you buy is compatible with your motherboard and processor.
It’s expensive
Most modern PCs require at least 16GB of RAM to run demanding software and games. More memory means more programs can be run simultaneously, and the game’s graphics will be smoother and crisper. Moreover, 16GB of RAM is sufficient for most users to avoid relying on slower disk-based virtual memory.
Choosing the best computer RAM for your system depends on what you plan to do with it. Most workloads don’t respond much to faster or slower memory, but some do, including file compression and image processing. Depending on the application, you may want to opt for DDR5 or higher-clocked memory from Corsair and G.Skill.
For budget-conscious gamers, Klevv’s Cras XR5 RB DDR5 is a good choice. This affordable RAM is cut from the same cloth as bigger-name brands, but without the added cost. It’s also reliable and features a sleek, black design. The RAM is available from various retailers, but its prices tend to increase during major sales events.