Whether you’re gaming, editing video, or performing any other task, your PC needs lots of RAM to do it well. RAM is sold in modules called DIMMs that are either soldered on or slot into your motherboard.
Unlike storage — your hard disk or solid state drive — RAM is temporary and gets wiped when you turn off your computer.
Faster Data Access
A computer can’t operate without RAM, which is volatile, meaning it holds data only while the system is on. It loses data when the machine is turned off or rebooted.
Compared to internal storage, RAM is much faster for accessing stored information. That’s because memory is closer to the processor, making it quicker to read and process.
When you open a program on your computer, its software files and data are loaded into RAM. The computer can then use this memory to instantly run the program. If it didn’t have enough memory, it would need to read the same data from the hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD), which is a slower process.
Modern memory has a mode register, which configures the core device operation by setting the column address strobe’s (CAS) delay and burst duration. Most computers allow users to install RAM units up to a specific capacity. Most power users need 4,000MHz RAM with a CAS delay of 15-18 or lower for optimal performance.
More Storage Capacity
Unlike your internal storage devices (such as hard disk drives or solid state drives), memory is volatile, which means that it holds onto data for only a short time. When you shut down your computer, the information stored in RAM is lost.
This is why having more than enough RAM can make a noticeable difference to your computing experience. More memory enables you to run more programs at the same time, and it gives your PC more power when working with large files like videos or photographs.
Most computers come with 4GB of RAM, but you can often upgrade to 8GB for better performance and more versatility. More advanced or gaming-oriented machines might require 16GB of RAM, and professionals who work with demanding software may prefer 32GB or even more. If you’re interested in upgrading to more RAM, you can easily check how much your hardware and operating system can support using the Terminal app or a command line tool.
Better Multitasking
Upgrading your computer’s RAM is one of the quickest and easiest ways to give it a performance boost. It’s also less costly than buying a new computer or performing major construction on your current machine.
The more RAM you have, the better your system will perform at multitasking and running applications that require a lot of resources. This is especially important for productivity and gaming.
If you’re a gamer or use resource-intensive software, consider getting 16GB of RAM or higher to improve performance and eliminate bottlenecks. When you upgrade your computer’s RAM, you can expect to experience faster load times for files and websites, smoother gameplay, and enhanced video and graphics. For these reasons, more RAM is often more valuable than a faster processor or SSD storage.
Faster Startup
The capacity and speed of RAM can have a large impact on your computer startup time. It is much faster than the hard drive and helps move programs to the computer quickly. This function is crucial when starting up your computer, and adding more RAM can significantly decrease your boot times.
In an experiment by TuneUp Blog, increasing the amount of RAM in a PC resulted in over a minute being shaved off of its startup time. While the exact time difference will vary between machines, this is a very clear example of how RAM can drastically increase your computer’s performance.
It is important to note that while the amount of RAM installed in your computer can affect its startup speed, so does the computer’s hard drive and the CPU. For this reason, upgrading to a faster solid state hard drive and RAM will be the best way to improve your computer’s startup time.