Upgrading the RAM is the most suitable technique to boost your desktop or laptop performance. However, choosing the right RAM is not as easy as it may sound. There is a list of factors that should be considered before making the final decision.

So, here we are with the perfect buyer’s guide to enhance your system’s RAM. By following this guide, you will learn how to check each of the important factors properly.

Know Your Existing RAM and Maximum Capacity

You must acquire proper knowledge of the existing RAM, before upgrading to a new one. You need to check the maximum RAM limit your computer can support. Then only, you can move ahead with your mission RAM.

Factors Governing RAM Upgrade Limits

The chipsets of a computer are limited to support a certain amount of RAM. The following are some factors on which up-gradation of a RAM is dependent.

Number of memory slots

First, check the number of memory slots available on your motherboard. To lessen the burden on the computer, it is advised to divide your RAM into multiple slots. Understand, two RAMs with 8 GB memory will perform better than a single RAM with 16 GB memory.

Operating System

Windows 10 Professional has RAM support up to 2 TB, and the Windows 10 Home registers RAM support of 128 GB. Please know that these limits laid down by operating systems are “only theoretical.” Eventually, it is about how much your processor and memory slots can support. In most cases, the actual RAM value is lesser than what the operating systems suggest.

Clock speed

Your upgraded RAM must run at the same clock speed as your existing RAM does.

It is essential for your upgraded RAM to match the speed of your processor’s clock speed. If it doesn’t, the processor will have to wait until the RAM delivers it the instructions to do so, leading to wastage of precious computing time. That being said, it is just advice, not a hard and fast rule. Overclocking is permitted within certain limits without affecting your computer performance a great deal.

How Much RAM Is “Too Much?”

Your processor’s specifications describe the maximum limit of your RAM. For example, the specifications of an Intel Core i5-10400T say, “Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type): 128 GB.” However, as stated above in this article, 128 GB is a “theoretical” limit. In practice, you will find a single-stick 64 GB DDR4 RAM multiplied by two, which is reasonable and compatible with your laptop or PC model.

If you are planning to buy a pair of single-stick 64 GB DDR4, it will cost you $1024 ($512×2). Instead, you may consider upgrading to a new laptop with Core i7 or Core i9.

Further, if you want to try a cheaper option, you can go for 32 GB DDR4 RAM, 2666 MHz (2×16 GB). This will cost you much less.

How Much RAM Should You Get in 2020?

If you are into browsing, software development, full-HD video entertainment, and business activities, then 16 GB or even 8 GB RAM will be sufficient for you. And if you are someone who plays heavy-duty games, then you would need more GPU memory than physical RAM space. For gaming purposes, a 16 GB RAM will suffice.

So, these were all the factors you must consider before buying a RAM.

source: https://irateitas.com/are-you-upgrading-your-ram-take-a-note-of-the...