People who use laptops have to be careful about how much memory they put in them. It may also be hard to get to that memory, depending on the architecture. This means that upgrading in the future may not be possible. Even though some systems have a fixed amount of memory that can’t be changed or upgraded, this isn’t the case with all systems.
What Is RAM?
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it gives computers the virtual space they need to manage information and solve problems right now. RAM is a type of memory. Think of it as scratch paper that you can write on with a pencil to write down notes, numbers, or other things that you want to remember.
If you run out of space on the paper, you make more space by erasing what you don’t need anymore. RAM works the same way when it needs more space to store temporary information (like running software or programs). Larger sheets of paper let you write down more (and bigger) ideas before having to erase them. Computers with more RAM have the same thing happen.
How Much RAM Is Enough?
To find out if your computer has enough memory, look at the minimum and recommended requirements for the software you want to run, then figure out how much space your computer has. At least as much as the highest recommended amount of RAM should be on your computer at all times.
Also, think about your computer’s operating system. Some operating systems take up more space than others. To give you an example, a computer that is running Chrome OS can run smoothly on 2 GB of memory because it is very well-optimized, but it would be nice to have 4 GB.
Many laptops have built-in graphics controllers that use some of the system RAM for graphics. 64 MB to 1 GB of system RAM is cut off because of this, depending on the graphics card. If the system has a built-in graphics controller, think about adding more RAM to account for this.
Types of Memory
Memory technology keeps changing as computer architectures get better. Memory that is faster and has more bandwidth is needed for faster CPUs. This affects how well your computer works. When comparing laptops, look at both pieces of information to see how they might affect how well they work.
It is possible to tell how fast your memory is in two ways. The first way is to look at the type of memory and its clock speed, like DDR3 1333MHz. Read also; The best deals you can get on the Surface Pro 8
Another way to list the type and the bandwidth is to do it this way as well. The same DDR3 1333MHz memory would be called PC3-10600 memory, and that would be the same thing. The list of DDR3 and DDR4 memory types, from fastest to slowest, is shown below in order of speed.
- DDR4 3200 / PC4-25600
- DDR4 2666 / PC4-21300
- DDR4 2133 / PC4-17000
- DDR3 1600 / PC3-12800
- DDR3 1333 / PC3-10600
- DDR3 1066 / PC3-8500
- DDR3 800 / PC3-6400
If the memory only says one of these things: bandwidth or clock speed, it’s easy to figure out how much space the memory can hold.
- If you have the clock speed, multiply it by 8.
- If you have the bandwidth, divide that value by 8.
Laptop Memory Limitations
Laptops usually only have two slots for memory modules, compared to four or more in desktop computers, which have a lot more space. Thus, they are limited in the amount of storage space that can be used. A fixed memory size can’t be added to some brands and models of laptops, like those that are small enough to carry.
It needs a certain kind of memory, like one from the list above. In other words, if your laptop is meant to use DDR3 memory, you can’t use DDR4 memory and expect it to work. The same is true for the speed and bandwidth requirements of the system. Find out what kind of memory your system can use before you buy new memory.
It also has a maximum amount of RAM that isn’t based on how many slots there are. In this case, you might be able to buy two 16 GB memory modules, but that 32 GB total might not be enough for your computer.
If you look at the specifications of any laptop, you’ll see all of these limitations. Make sure to pay attention to them. Read more; The FTC is suing NVIDIA over the acquisition of Arm
What to Keep in Mind When Shopping
The first thing you need to do is figure out how much memory the system can hold. This is usually listed by most manufacturers, and it shows how easy it is to add more features to the system.
Next, look at how the memory is set up. There are a lot of different ways to set up your laptop’s memory. You can set it up with one 8 GB module or two 4 GB modules. It’s possible to add more RAM in the future by adding another memory module to a system that has only one memory module. There is a second memory slot that can be used.
When you want to add more memory to a computer that already has both of its memory slots full of memory modules, there are a few more things to think about. if you have two 4 GB modules in your laptop, you will need to replace one of them with a bigger module. This will make your laptop have 8 GB of system memory.
Replacement of one of the four 4 GB modules with an 8 GB module would give us 12 GB (the new 8 GB module and the original 4 GB module). When upgrading both 4 GB memory modules at once, it is better to do it that way. If you have two different types of memory modules, they won’t be able to work together as well as a matched pair would.
Installing Memory Yourself
Many laptops have a small panel on the underside that lets you get to the memory module slots. On some computers, the bottom cover may have to be removed to get to the memory modules. This is not always the case, though. It’s possible to buy and install a memory upgrade on your own in these cases without too much trouble.
Most likely, the memory can’t be changed if the computer doesn’t have a way to get inside. Occasionally, a technician who has the right tools can open the laptop and add more memory. This, of course, comes at a price.
