How To Find The Right RAM For My Laptop

Introduction

The amount and specifications of your system’s RAM can greatly impact its performance, affecting everything from multitasking capability to gaming performance with integrated graphics. When deciding how much RAM to get—whether it’s 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB—and considering factors like clock speed and memory timings, it can be overwhelming.

For desktops, you’ll typically use DIMMs, while laptops require SO-DIMMs, and some laptops have soldered memory. We will be talking about RAM for laptops here. Generally, 16GB is recommended as a sweet spot for most users, balancing common workloads and pricing. Content creators and heavy multitaskers might benefit from more RAM. Clock speed (measured in MHz) and timings (like 15-15-15-36) are crucial technical aspects affecting RAM performance. The number of ranks (or memory banks) per stick also impacts real-world performance.

If you’re unsure how much RAM you need, consider your typical tasks and budget. You can read our Detailed guides on memory considerations are available for deeper insights into capacity needs and technical details.

The guide for Finding The Right RAM For Laptop

Quick overview on choosing the right RAM for your laptop

Here are some quick tips for buying RAM:

1. Check Compatibility: Ensure the RAM is compatible with your motherboard or device. Check the type, SO-DIMM is for laptops.
2. Choose the Right Type: SO-DIMM: essential for laptops and compact systems, ensuring efficient memory performance in a small, portable form factor.
3. Consider clock speeds: Memory speed of CPU’s are limited. So if your system supports only up to 2,666MHz RAM, purchasing faster RAM like 3,600MHz is pointless since you can’t achieve higher speeds and might even drop to slower speeds. It’s crucial to check the motherboard manufacturer’s specifications for supported RAM speeds and buy accordingly to ensure optimal performance.
4. Check Capacity: For most users, 8GB of RAM is typically adequate. However, if you engage in gaming or extensive multitasking, consider opting for 16GB or more. Gaming and multitasking applications often benefit from additional RAM to handle the increased workload efficiently, reducing lag and improving overall system responsiveness. Assess your specific usage patterns to determine the optimal amount of RAM needed. Two 8GB RAM’s are better than one 16GB RAM due to dual channels.
5. Brand and Reliability: Stick to reputable brands known for quality and reliability. Some of the best brands known for reliable RAM (Random Access Memory) include Corsair, Kingston, Crucial (by Micron), G.Skill, and HyperX.
6. Budget: Set a budget and find the best balance of capacity, speed, and brand within that range.
7. Invest Smartly: Research your frequently used programs and games. If they’re not memory-intensive and you have a dedicated graphics card, consider choosing slower RAM to save money. Invest in a larger SSD, better graphics card, or CPU instead.

Following these tips will help you make an informed decision when buying RAM, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance for your system.

What is RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, is a fundamental component of computers and other electronic devices that require data to be accessed quickly. Unlike storage devices such as hard drives or SSDs, which retain data even when the power is off, RAM is volatile memory—it holds data only temporarily while the computer is powered on.

RAM is crucial for the smooth operation of applications and the overall performance of a system. When you open a program or file, it is loaded from storage into RAM, where the CPU can access it much faster than from the storage drive. This quick access speed enables computers to run multiple programs simultaneously without noticeable slowdowns. For example, having more RAM allows you to keep more browser tabs open, edit large files in graphics software, or play memory-intensive games without lag.

RAM comes in various types and speeds, measured in MHz, and its capacity (e.g., 8GB, 16GB) directly impacts how much data can be processed at once. Modern systems typically use DDR (Double Data Rate) RAM, which improves data transfer rates compared to older technologies.

Specifications of a RAM

DDR

DDR (Double Data Rate) RAM is categorized into generations such as DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5, each offering varying performance and compatibility. It’s crucial to match the correct DDR type to your system, as using incompatible RAM won’t function properly.

Processors and motherboards support specific generations of DDR RAM—typically one or two—so when building or upgrading a PC, you must choose a compatible generation. While some CPUs may support multiple DDR types (like DDR4 and DDR5), motherboards usually support only one generation.

DDR4 RAM remains cost-effective and compatible with older hardware, featuring tighter timings for lower latency. In contrast, DDR5 RAM is notably faster and slightly more expensive but is only compatible with the latest CPUs. This distinction underscores the importance of selecting the right DDR generation based on your system’s requirements and upgrade path.

SO-DIMM

DIMM (dual in-line memory module) is the standard RAM form factor for desktop PCs, offering full-sized modules. It’s what you’ll typically need when upgrading desktop RAM. SO-DIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module), on the other hand, is designed for laptops and compact systems. These smaller modules are crucial for laptop RAM upgrades, though some laptops have soldered memory that can’t be replaced. SO-DIMMs are also used in mini PCs and certain mini-ITX motherboards, but compatibility varies.

MicroDIMMs, smaller than SO-DIMMs, were once used but are now uncommon. When upgrading RAM, it’s essential to identify whether DIMM or SO-DIMM modules are required based on the device’s form factor. Always check compatibility to ensure you’re purchasing the correct type of memory for your specific system configuration.

Channel

RAM channels act as data pathways between memory modules and the processor in your PC. They operate like lanes on a road, crucial for data exchange efficiency. Dual-channel RAM utilizes two separate pathways, significantly boosting bandwidth and performance compared to single-channel setups. Most modern motherboards support dual-channel, typically offering two or four DIMM slots. I

t’s crucial to install RAM correctly for optimal performance: never use a single RAM module in a dual-channel capable motherboard as it hampers performance. Instead, install matching pairs of RAM sticks (e.g., two 8GB sticks for 16GB total). In a motherboard with two slots, this activates dual-channel automatically. With four slots, consult the motherboard manual to correctly pair modules for dual-channel operation. This ensures data travels efficiently, maximizing system performance. Always refer to your motherboard manual or PC building guides for precise installation instructions.

Capacity

Having sufficient RAM capacity is crucial for overall system performance, often more critical than focusing solely on high RAM speeds. Insufficient RAM can severely bottleneck a PC, even with powerful CPUs or graphics cards. More RAM supports better multitasking, such as gaming with background applications like Discord and browsers, or handling resource-intensive tasks like video editing and rendering with ease. Inadequate RAM forces the system to rely on slower disk caching, using storage as virtual memory, significantly impacting performance.

While having extra RAM aids in future-proofing and responsiveness, there are diminishing returns beyond a certain point. Excess RAM doesn’t harm performance but doesn’t enhance it further either, contrary to a common misconception. Balancing RAM capacity with system requirements ensures smooth operation across various workloads, optimizing PC performance effectively.

Timing

RAM latency, particularly CAS (Column Address Strobe) latency, is crucial for memory performance. It measures the delay in clock cycles from when the CPU requests data to when it’s delivered from RAM. Lower CAS latency is better, akin to minimizing ping in games. Spec sheets often list timings like “CL16-18-18-36,” where CL16 denotes CAS latency. Other timings include RAS to CAS delay, row precharge time, and row active time.

For optimal performance, lower latency is preferred, but DDR generation limits this. DDR5, despite higher frequencies, exhibits higher latency than DDR4. DDR4 typically ranges from CL14 to CL18, while DDR5 seldom drops below CL32. Unless overclocking, prioritize lower CL values for responsiveness. Understanding these timings helps balance frequency and latency to suit system needs, ensuring efficient data transfer between RAM and CPU.

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