When you run a program on your computer, it stores its data in RAM until the operation is complete. This information is then converted back into long-term storage on your hard disk.
The more RAM your system has, the faster it can open apps and files. To get the most from your PC, you should regularly clear wasteful clutter using an optimization tool.
Speed
A fast RAM speed allows the computer processor to quickly access the program data that are stored in the memory bank. Moreover, it provides your computer with swift processor performance.
When you open a program on your PC, it immediately moves that file from long-term storage to RAM so it can actively work with the information. After the active processing is finished, the CPU relocates it back to the storage drive.
The speed of a RAM module is measured in MHz. The higher the MHz, the faster the RAM runs. However, there are several other factors that influence its speed.
One of the most important factors is its bandwidth, which controls how much data can be transferred at any given time. Others include its latency, which measures the amount of delay in responding to a command from the CPU. Manually lowering latency does not improve the bandwidth, but it helps your computer respond to commands more quickly.
Latency
Latency is the amount of time that passes between the CPU sending a memory access command and when the data begins to be retrieved from RAM. This is measured in clock cycles and has a direct impact on how quickly RAM can process commands.
When it comes to selecting the best RAM for your PC, CAS latency should be taken into consideration alongside other specifications like speed and capacity. You can check your current CAS latency value through your BIOS settings or with software tools such as CPU-Z. Ideally, all RAM modules should have the same speed and latencies for maximum compatibility. Mixing modules with different speeds and latencies can cause stability issues and is generally not recommended unless absolutely necessary.
In addition to enhancing your gaming performance, more RAM can help you run multiple resource-intensive applications at the same time without having to swap data between a slower hard drive and the faster memory. This improves your computer’s responsiveness and eliminates the thrashing that can occur when an application isn’t getting enough memory from RAM.
Storage
As its name suggests, RAM is a form of temporary storage. When the computer shuts down, all data stored in RAM gets wiped. In contrast, data stored in long-term storage devices like hard drives or SSDs is retained.
RAM allows the CPU to access data much faster than it can read information from internal storage, which is why a computer with lots of RAM will perform better in high-end gaming and design applications. In addition, it prevents other components of the system from having to fetch data from slower storage (like a hard drive or SSD) every time they open a new browser tab or load a new enemy in a game.
RAM is a collection of microchips that are packed into modules that plug into slots on a computer’s motherboard. Modern computers use SDRAM, which stands for Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. This upgraded version of legacy DRAM uses a technology called pipelining, which allows the processor to start reading data before the chip is finished processing it.
Compatibility
RAM is volatile memory, meaning that data stored in it is lost when the computer shuts down. The main purpose of RAM is to quickly access temporary data, such as that used by programs or to render in-game graphics. Accessing data in RAM is orders of magnitudes faster than storing it on long-term storage devices like an HDD or SSD.
As a rule, newer RAM is not backward compatible with older systems. Different RAM generations have different pin configurations, clock speeds (measured in MHz), voltage requirements, and other features that make them incompatible. The physical notch on the back of a DIMM stick is located in a different place on DDR4 modules, for example, so they won’t fit into slots designed for DDR3.
To find out what kind of RAM will work with your system, consult your motherboard manual or run a system scanning tool. Crucial’s free System Scanner, for instance, makes finding compatibility easy by analyzing your BIOS and providing a list of recommended upgrades within seconds.