Ram can be thought of as the for the computer processor

Random-access memory, or RAM, is an essential component in all devices, from PCs to smartphones to game consoles. Without RAM, doing just about anything on any system would be much, much slower. On the flip side, not having enough for the application or game you’re trying to run can bring things to a crawl or even prevent them from running at all.

Contents

• Short-term memory
• Different types ofRAM
• How much RAM do you need?
• How important is RAM?
• Final thoughts

But what is RAM exactly? In a nutshell, it’s a high-speed component that temporarily stores all the information a device needs both right now and imminently. Accessing data in RAM is insanely fast, unlike hard drives that are slower but provide long-term storage.

If this is all semantics and you need to know how to install some RAM or want to find out how much RAM you need, we have guides for that, too.

Short-term memory

RAM is essentially a device’s short-term memory. It temporarily stores (remembers) everything currently running on a device, like all OS-specific services and any web browser, image editor, or game you’re playing.

RAM prevents the CPU from digging through the device’s slower storage — like a hard drive or even a solid-state drive (SSD) — every time you request a new browser tab or load a new enemy to shoot. As fast as storage is compared to drives of years gone by, they’re still far slower than RAM.

Data that resides in RAM is readable from any capable component at almost the same speed. Because it has a hard-wired connection to the device, there’s no real latency in cabling or connection.

RAM doesn’t remember everything forever, however. It’s a “volatile” technology, meaning that once it loses power, it forgets everything. That makes it perfect for handling the multitude of high-speed tasks that your device throws at it each day.

But it’s also why storage systems like hard drives and SSDs are required. Unlike RAM, they hold information when the device powers off.

Different types ofRAM

RAM is a bit of a catch-all term, like “memory,” and covers a few different types.

“RAM” or “memory” typically refers to dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or more accurately for modern systems, synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). The terminology doesn’t matter beyond technicalities, but it’s useful to know that the terms are relatively interchangeable colloquially.

The most common type of RAM sold today is DDR4, though older systems may use DDR3 or even DDR2. The numbers denote RAM’s generation, with each successive generation offering faster speeds through greater bandwidth — a higher megahertz (MHz) rating. Each generation also has physical changes, so they are not interchangeable.

Another common term, especially in the video game space, is VRAM (video RAM). Although once a stand-alone piece of technology, VRAM is currently used to denote dedicated memory on the graphics card. For game consoles, it can also reference system memory, but in either case, it has to do with memory reserved exclusively for the GPU. Ram is critical to graphics DDR, or GDDR, usually with a generational designation, like GDDR6.

Most modern graphics cards use GDDR6. However, some graphics cards may use a different VRAM form called High Bandwidth Memory (HBM, HBM2, and HBM2e). It has unique performance advantages, although it is typically expensive, and supply issues hinder widespread adoption.

How much RAM do you need?

The most significant consideration when buying RAM for a PC is how much is needed. A minimum amount is required to run an operating system, while many games and applications have a minimum requirement as well. Those requirements are listed in gigabytes (GB) and are often between 1GB and 8GB, depending on the application’s hardware demands.

Having more than the minimum amount of RAM is essential. A PC runs not only the current application but also other services and tasks in the background. However, having massive amounts of system memory doesn’t necessarily make a PC run faster.

The amount is not the only important aspect of RAM. While more gigabytes can help with multitasking, faster memory improves overall speed in certain games and applications.

Like a CPU, RAM has its clock speed, which effectively controls how much data it can handle per second when combined with a few other factors. The memory’s total speed is referred to as bandwidth and measured in megabytes per second (MBps), but traditionally, you’ll see memory marketed with rates in megahertz (MHz).

Typical DDR4 memory runs between 2,133MHz and 3,000MHz, but some can run upwards of 4,866MHz for the fastest kits available. You’ll see these marketed as DDR4-2133 or similar, sometimes with the confusing “PC” label. The number following “PC” is simply the MHz speed multiplied by eight and then rounded. For example, you might see it listed as DDR4-2133 PC4-17000.

Timings are another aspect of memory that can impact RAM performance, although they are no longer as important. It’s effectively the time between clock cycles, and as memory speed increases, timings increase as well, reducing latency. Typically, timing is listed as several numbers separated by dashes, such as 15-15-15-35 or similar.

When buying memory, timings are only crucial when considering high-performance memory for benchmarking or top-tier gaming. Timing isn’t of real concern to the average consumer.

Lastly, we have channels. Most memory sticks sold today support dual-channel at the very least, which means there are two lanes (buses) between one memory slot andthe CPU’s memory controller on the motherboard.

However, this design requires two RAM sticks of the same type and speed that support dual channels. High-end RAM kits with three or four modules supporting triple- or quad-channel memory designs on motherboards are available as well.

For practical purposes, multichannel designs don’t make a huge difference in everyday performance. However, if you want to take advantage of dual or more channel memory, be sure to install the sticks in the correct colored slots on the motherboard. Check the manual for help on that front.

How important is RAM?

RAM is significant. Too little can lead to sluggish performance, though smaller devices like tablets and smartphones don’t need as much as high-end gaming desktops. However, installing massive amounts or using the highest MHz rating doesn’t mean a device will run blazingly fast. Remember, RAM is only part of the overall equation.

However, having enough RAM does matter. Having RAM that isn’t bargain-basement slow is a good idea, too, especially for a complicated image or video editing task and playing games that are CPU-limited.

But when it comes to improving a PC’s overall performance, consider the costs involved.A faster CPU orgraphics card will typically significantly impact the overall speed more than a memory upgrade. However, some CPUs, like AMD’s Ryzen line, gain more significant benefits with memory upgrades.

Upgrading froma hard drive to an SSD is also a big step in the right direction. The moveto an SSD speeds up the slowest storage component by a considerable margin. It contributes massively to making a PC feel more snappy.

As with any computing device, the slowest component typically limits performance. That means slow memory can hold the device back if it’s the worst part of the configuration. Unless you’re doing anything particularly intensive, something just beyond the minimum should be fine. A bit more than the amount necessary is enough, as long as it’s not the bottom of the barrel. A figure just above the minimum for your equipment is adequate.

Consider various factors like speed, size, and power. Some varieties also have RGB LED lighting.

Final thoughts

To understand your computer’s abilities, you need to know about RAM, including an initial idea of how much your PC needs and how to install RAM. Knowing about RAM will save money on unnecessary hardware. All of the steps are essential to the performance, but RAM is where you see its abilities’ speed and quality.

Look at your whole setup and figure out the minimum amount of RAM needed to use the hardware. Simple models will have just enough RAM to run the PC but nothing else. When you start to add other pieces like programs and data, problems arise quickly. However, if this does happen to you, there are quite a few aftermarket solutions out there to grow your memory.