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If you want to improve your computer’s performance, there are a few things that you can do. One of them is replacing your RAM and getting a new one. This will surely make your computer faster and will solve the issue of lagging. Before you go ahead and spend your money on a new RAM, make sure that you know the basics and how to replace RAM.

How much RAM is good for your Computer?

Of course, the more the RAM, the better it is. However, you cannot always afford to get the best RAM and your computer might not even be able to support it. So, you should try to upgrade a little. For example, if your computer is currently running on 4GB, you should go for 8GB of RAM in the upgrade. As you keep increasing, the boost will be lesser. This means that above 16GB, the boost will not be as much as it is from 4GB to 8GB. \

  • If you use your computer just the average amount and for things like studying, watching videos and general usage, then 8GB of RAM is great for you.
  • If you use high-end photo editing software or play heavy games, you can go for 16GB of RAM.

Before you replace your RAM, you must know what RAM is already present on your computer. Once you know this, you can invest in a higher RAM. To find the existing RAM in your computer, go to Settings and look for the RAM in ‘About this PC’.

device specifications to install ram

RAM Limit of your Computer

You might want to get a 32GB RAM but what if your computer cannot support it. There are two things in your computer that determine this:

  • Windows version
  • Motherboard specifications

Windows Version

To find out whether your Windows version is compatible with a RAM, you must know what bit is your Window. If it is 32-bit, it will handle 4GB. This is the same for Windows 7 and every version of Windows 10. On the other hand, a 64-bit Windows can handle 128GB if your computer has Windows 10 Home. If your computer has Windows 10 Education, Windows Enterprise or Windows Professional, it can hold 2TB of RAM. For Windows 7, this is different. In the Home edition, you can put 8GB RAM while the Premium edition can hold 16GB. If you are running Windows 7 Professional on your computer, you can put up to 192GB of RAM.

Motherboard Specifications

To find your motherboard specs, you will have to look for them in the documentation of the motherboard. If you know the model number, you can just write it in Google and find all the information about the motherboard. In this information, you will learn about the slot type, slot usage, brand, manufacturer and RAM compatibility. So, before you buy RAM for your computer, you must figure all of this out.

RAM for Laptops and Desktops

Different RAMs are used in laptops and desktops. You cannot use one for the other. The RAM in desktop computers is larger in size.

ram for desktops

On the other hand, the RAM used in laptops in smaller in size and is more compact.

ram that is smaller in size used in laptops

The kind of RAM that your motherboard can support is also different, depending on whether it is an older system or a newer one. DDR2 is used in older systems that were made around 2003. If your computer is the post-2007 era, then it could be compatible with DDR3. Lastly, DDR4 is a more modern version of RAM and it is only suitable for computers that are brand new i.e. made after 2014. The motherboard of your computer should be designed for the RAM that you want to put in it. If you try to stick a DDR4 RAM in your older desktop, it would not fit in the slot. So, check this detail before you buy RAM for your computer.

How to replace RAM on your Computer?

Once you have bought the RAM for your computer, it is now time to put it on the computer. For this, you will have to follow the steps.

Power Off

First of all, shut down your computer. Unplug all the cables that are connected to your computer. You can put your computer on a table or any surface where you can access it easily.

Open it Up

The next step is to open up the case. If you have an older computer, you will need a screwdriver to open the case. In the newer models, thumb screws make it easier for you to open the computer up. Open the panel. You need to remove the panel that has ports connected to motherboard i.e. speaker, USB, and monitor. This would give you direct access to the motherboard.

opened PC inside view

When you are working with your computer, make sure that you ground yourself. This will prevent the discharge of any electrostatic forces from you to the computer. It is important for keeping computer components safe. To ground yourself, just touch a metal tap.

Remove the RAM

In this step, you need to remove the RAM that is already present on your computer. You will see latches on the sides of the module. Press them. Then, pop out the RAM. As you press them, the RAM will come out on its own. Just lift it out without damaging it.

removing ram from inside the pc and laptop

Look at RAM Slots

Before installing the RAM, you have to determine the right slots for them. Some motherboards have four slots while others have a different number of slots. To find out how the pair should be installed in the slot, you will have to consult the documentation of your motherboard. Sometimes, you will also see there are different colors. The edges of these slots are labeled so that should give you a clue.

ram slots inside view of the pc

Install the RAM

Once you have figured this out, push the module into its slot. Apply pressure to insert the module correctly. You should know when this happens as the latches will come into place. If you feel like you have to force them in, take them out and try again. Do not try to insert them forcefully or they will break. RAM almost always comes in pairs because computers can hardly work well with just a single stick.

installing ram inside the pc or laptop

Start the Computer

After this, close the case. Plug the cables and start your computer. It will reboot and you can then start working. To verify that RAM has installed correctly, go to the System Properties and check for RAM specs. However, if you see an error, this is because of the improper installation of RAM.

Installing RAM is not that hard and even a novice can do it. You just have to follow all the steps properly and make sure that you follow the instructions right. To make it easier, watch a tutorial video.