What does more ram do for your computer

RAM usage on a computer can be checked in different ways, depending on the operating system OS. In this tool, the Performance tab shows a graph of memory resources, and how the RAM is being used may be listed as "physical memory. Third-party software can also be used to monitor memory and even free up RAM when necessary, though this is not always the best way to boost computer speed.

Freeing up RAM means closing programs that aren't being used, but which are using memory. If a system is low on memory or often requires freeing up RAM, installing more of it can usually improve computer speed. Before purchasing additional RAM, it is important to check the motherboard. The motherboard is the circuit board where most of the computer's crucial components are found, and it has a limited amount of space for new memory. The board might be maxed out for the amount of RAM it will support, either in terms of physical sticks of RAM or the combined values of them.

If all three slots are filled with 4 GB sticks, then no more can be added; if the motherboard has three 2 GB sticks, then one or more could be replaced by 4 GB sticks to increase the RAM within the space available. There are several different types of RAM, so it's important for the person who wants to add more to check the computer's user manual or online to find out what kind is needed.

The wrong type of memory typically won't fit into the slots in the motherboard, and if it does, the computer usually will not boot up. Adding RAM to a desktop computer is typically easier than a laptop. Information, products, and or specifications are subject to change without notice. Neither Crucial nor Micron Technology, Inc. Micron and the Micron logo are registered trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc.

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Find a product Part no. Your search did not match any active Crucial part numbers or configuration IDs. Find articles and site content Enter keywords. Back to results. Does my Computer Need More Memory? Signs you might need more RAM for your computer. How do I know if I need more memory right now? Why does more memory help?

RAM is the same thing, technically, but it serves a very different purpose. As you open programs, it stores data that they need access to quickly in system memory. You can also have too much RAM. The newer term DDR5 indicates the latest RAM generation, although compatible devices may not appear in the wild for a while.

You can stay up to date on what to expect with our guide to DDR5. The operating system and the web browser typically consume the most RAM, though some applications and games can use more than everything else combined. In addition, more complex websites use more RAM than others. For example, a simple text news story is relatively light on memory, while something like Gmail or Netflix uses a lot more.

The same goes for offline programs. A chat program or a game like Minesweeper will use almost no RAM, while a gigantic Excel spreadsheet, a huge Photoshop project, or a graphics-intensive game like Wolfenstein: Youngblood may use gigabytes by themselves.

Outside of games and general browsing, professional applications tend to hog the most RAM. Tablets are not expected to deal with heavy-duty software tasks, so their RAM needs tend to be pretty low — similar to a lot of smartphones.

However, as multi-tab browsers and more complex software continue to make the transition, tablet needs are becoming more and more similar to laptop needs. Current spec options typically range from 2GB to 16GB of RAM, with other considerations like battery life and processor speed often being of greater consideration.

Remember, tablets are generally complementary devices that reside between your smartphone and your PC. As previously mentioned, tablet and laptop needs are converging, but most users feel comfortable running more complex programs on laptops, which means RAM has a more important role here. Most of the best laptops come with 16GB for good reason. If you are doing a lot of graphic design work or are planning on dabbling in some higher-end gaming, you may want to consider increasing that to 16GB.