Disassemble Your Pc And Check The Ram Stick
If the above method does not work for you for some reason, or you want to adopt a more traditional method, you can always disassemble your PC and laptop to find the required RAM specifications for installation.
If you want to do this, please make sure you have a certain understanding of computer assembly, because disassembling the wrong parts or not being able to restore the parts may make your PC unable to start.
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What Is Laptop Ram And Do You Need More
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, but you’ll also see it referred to as physical memory or, simply, memory. Your operating system uses RAM to temporarily store information of running processes and tasks. More RAM means that more processes can run simultaneously.
A full RAM can cause performance issues because the operating system has to store the overflow somewhere else. To free up memory for active processes and tasks, the system starts to write excess data, i.e. information of idle processes or tasks, to the hard drive . When the user returns to an idle process or task, the system must first free up RAM, then fetch the data of the requested item from the hard drive, and load it into the RAM. Since hard drive read/write speeds are significantly slower than RAM read/write speeds, the user experiences lag.
If your laptop frequently seems to freeze up when you want to switch from one program to another, adding laptop RAM will probably give your system a significant boost.
With the rise of solid state drives , this lag has become much less of an issue. And while upgrading your RAM is probably the easiest ways to fix lag, upgrading your system drive from a hard disk drive to an SSD will also boost your laptop’s performance.
Remove Your Battery Or Other Power Source
This is always the first step when doing any kind of work to a computer. To completely power down my laptop, it requires the battery to be removed. This is very simple as the battery simply slides out once a switch is moved from the “locked” to “unlocked” position. Most PC laptops will have a similar easy removal for the battery. WARNING: If the computer is powered up and the RAM cards are changed, the RAM could short out and will never work again!
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How To Add Ram To A Laptop
How to increase RAM on laptop? Here are some steps you should follow:
Step 1: Make sure your laptop is completely turned off and unplug the power adapter.
Step 2: Open the panel of your laptop that covers the memory banks on the bottom. Sometimes, you need to unscrew the whole back of the machine to access the memory.
Step 3: Try to touch a metal object to discharge any built-up static electricity.
Step 4: If there is only one memory slot, you should remove the existing memory module to replace it. Just push apart the clips that hold it in place and it should pop up at an angle. Then, lift the module out by holding its edges. Dont touch the gold connectors at the bottom.
Step 5: The memory module has a small notch that should match up with a nub in the slot. Just insert it to the slot at a slight angle and press the top of the module to push it into place. After inserting the module, push the module back until it is flat and level and hold it in place using the clips.
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How To Install Ram
Clock speed is an important parameter to check before choosing RAM. It is expressed in MHz and is related to the speed of the RAM. The higher the clock speed, the faster programs and games will run. The latency issue is related to clock speed. Choose memory chips with high frequency and low latency.
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How Can You Add New Ram Modules
Important: Before you lay hands on your laptop, be sure to unplug it, power it down, remove the battery , and ground yourself.
Most RAM modules are super easy to exchange. You might find a RAM access hatch on the back of your laptop. Otherwise, check whether you can remove the back cover or keyboard to expose the RAM. If you can’t spot the RAM sticks anywhere, consult the manual or the manufacturer website.
We have previously demonstrated how to salvage hardware from an old HP Compaq nw8440 and showed you where the RAM modules sit and how to release them.
Today, we will demonstrate how to do the same with an Acer Aspire laptop. If you have a different laptop model, we recommend visiting the manufacturer’s website to find a manual or instructions for your device.
What Is Ram And Why Is It Important
Random Access Memory is the main data storage component of the PC. It is temporary, that is, when the PC is turned off, it does not retain any information, so it is also called temporary storage. The larger the RAM, the smoother your PC will be when running multiple programs at the same time. Therefore, many users choose to add RAM sticks in order to make their computers have better performance.
Step-by-step instructions for viewing PC RAM on Windows
There are multiple ways to check the amount of RAM on your Windows PC, including using third-party tools that are completely free.
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Confirm The Maximum Memory Supported By Your Windows Version
- Maximum memory for Windows 10 versionsWindows 10 has a minimum memory requirement of 1 GB RAM or 2 GB RAM .
Windows 10 version Maximum memory – 32 -bit Maximum memory – 64-bit 2 TB - Maximum memory for Windows 8 versionsWindows 8 has a minimum memory requirement of 1 GB RAM or 2 GB RAM .
Windows 8 version Maximum memory – 32 -bit Maximum memory – 64-bit 512 GB - Maximum memory for Windows 7 versionsWindows 7 has a minimum memory requirement of 1 GB RAM or 2 GB RAM . The maximum amount of memory depends on the edition used:
Windows 7 version Any 32-bit version of 7 4 GB Home Basic 64-bit 192 GB
Insert The New Ram Module
A RAM module only fits in the on the motherboard in one way. On the RAM module, there’s a groove at the bottom. That groove fits into a ridge on the motherboard’s mount.
- Hold the new RAM module by its sides.
- Locate the ridge in the motherboard mount and make sure the groove on the RAM module fits well.
- Push the RAM module into the mount firmly.
- Push the RAM module down until the 2 clips snap back over it.
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How Much Ram Does Your Pc Need
When giving your computer a memory upgrade, consider how much RAM your PC actually needs. For lightweight usage such as word processing and web browsing, as little as 4 GB of RAM may be enough. But for good all-round performance when multitasking, youll likely need at least 8 GB.
Of course, if youre looking to optimize your PC for gaming or other high-intensity applications, youll want at least 16 GB of RAM. But before you buy, think carefully about which RAM slots to use RAM modules normally need to be installed in pairs.
And remember, RAM isnt the be-all and end-all when it comes to speeding up your computer. Although expanding memory helps deliver faster and slicker processing, optimizing your entire PC is vital for getting the most out of your system.
How To Upgrade The Ram On A Laptop
ByMelanie PinolaContributions fromSean Rileypublished 8 June 22
Here’s how to upgrade the RAM on your laptop
Whether your older laptop is feeling sluggish or your newer system starts to bog down when too many tabs are open, adding more RAM could solve the problem. If your computer doesn’t have enough physical memory, it starts swapping data to your hard drive or SSD, which is an infinitely slower process . While not all modern laptops give you access to the RAM, many do provide a way to upgrade your memory.
The biggest hurdle you will face is whether your laptop allows you to upgrade your RAM. If you own a 2013 or newer MacBook for example, don’t bother, Apple has been soldering the RAM into all of its laptops for almost a decade now. But if you can upgrade your laptop’s memory, it won’t cost you much money or time. A quick search of your laptop’s model name should tell you whether you can go forward with this process.
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Moving from 4GB to 8GB of RAM usually costs between $25 and $55, depending on whether you need to swap out a memory card or just add a few more gigs. And the process of swapping out RAM chips should only take between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on how many screws you have to remove from the chassis.
Here’s how to upgrade your laptop’s memory.
1. See how much RAM you’re using
If you’re close to or over the amount of physical memory, you know you need more.
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Determining The Amount Of Ram Suitable For Your Activity Level
Before purchasing a laptop, the first thing you should always consider is whether the laptop can meet your demands.
However, sometimes, budgets can affect your ability to get your first-choice laptop. In turn, this leads to settling for a suitable alternative, but, in the process, you might end up sacrificing the features.
In such a situation, a large RAM might be one thing that is disregarded until later on when it affects the performance of the laptop.
So, to rectify the first mistake, ensure you consider your primary use of the system. Then factor how much RAM will be sufficient to enhance performance.
What Does Ram Do
Your computer uses memory to launch programs, processes, load features, and more.
Your hard drive and RAM capacities are both measured in gigabytes but are very different in function. Your hard drive is your computer long-term memory or storage memory, where all your files and programs are stored when they are not in use. Your RAM memory is functional memory that is used temporarily and all the data stored there will be erased when you turn off your computer.Your computers RAM works much faster than hard drives. RAM temporarily stores commonly-used data that your programs, apps, or processes need allowing a more efficient, faster transfer to the central processing unit .
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How To Tell If You Can Install New Ram
Whether you have an off-the-shelf desktop PC, a custom-built desktop rig, or a laptop, your computer already has RAM in it. In some cases, that existing memory may take up all of the available RAM slots, in which case you can’t install new RAM you will have to replace the RAM in your computer with modules that contain more memory.
The easiest way to tell if you can install new RAM is to look. Open up the case, look for the RAM slots that are typically adjacent to the central processing unit , and check to see if there are open slots. If you see available slots, you can add more RAM.
If you have an off-the-shelf desktop PC or laptop, you can also find out how much RAM it can accept and the type and configuration of the existing RAM modules by checking with the manufacturer.
Checking If Your Laptop Supports Additional Ram
To know if your laptop supports additional RAM, you can run software such as Crucial System Scanner or CPU-Z on your system. Both these software are available for free and they display information about your existing RAM and if extra RAM slots are present in your laptop.
If you are using Crucial System Scanner, run it and click on the Scan button. The entire process should take a few minutes and upon completion, the software will display the entire system information along with upgrades you can make. Even CPU-Z works in a similar way, however it does not suggest compatible upgrades and you have to manually look for details of RAM slots, and the kind of RAM installed in the laptop, by clicking the Memory and SPD tabs.
These software are accurate most of the times, however it is also advisable to check laptops user manual for more accurate information. Some laptops may have non-removable or have RAM built into the motherboard. In such scenarios, upgrading RAM can be a complex task and may require support from the brands service centre.
Once you know you can upgrade RAM on your laptop, find out how much of extra RAM it can take. Most of the latest laptop models should support 16GB of RAM, however, if are using a high-end gaming laptop, it may accommodate 32GB of RAM. To check how much of extra RAM your laptop supports, refer to the software we mentioned earlier.
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How Much Ram Do You Have Now
Its easy enough to pop open your Settings app, head to the About This PC section, and see how much RAM you have.
That only tells part of the story, though. That 32 GB listed in the screenshot above might be four modules of 8 GB each, or it might be two modules of 16 GB each. That matters when youre upgrading because memory is typically installed in pairs, and different systems can have different numbers of slots available.
For example, lets assume we wanted to upgrade that system to even more RAM. We now need to know some additional information. How many total memory slots does the PC have? How many RAM modules are installed? Are there free slots?
For that, you could open up your case and count the number of modules and slots inside, or you could turn to another tool. There are several hardware information tools out there, but our favorite is the free version Speccy .
After installing and running Speccy, we just switch to the RAM category on the left, and the right panel shows us gives us the info we need.
Unfortunately, we can now see that we have four total slots available and that all four are taken up with memory modules. Since we have 32 GB total RAM, we can assume that we have four 8 GB modules in place. This means that to get more RAM in the machine, we need to replace some or all of whats there.
Can I Install Laptop Ram Myself
Adding or upgrading RAM in a laptop does not require any computer skills, just a screwdriver. First, determine how much memory youd like to add. See our guide to estimate the amount of computer memory you need. Another way to improve performance is to upgrade your hard disk drive to a solid state drive.
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Adding Ram To A Laptop
Installing memory can be done in a matter of minutes, but theres no need to feel rushed. Work at your own pace and consult this guide or the video as often as you need to!
Install The New Ram Module
This would be the last step in the process. Once youre done removing the old RAM, you will need to install the new one into the slots. Be sure to watch out for the grove that is present along the pins on the slot. This matches to the RAM modules so the blank space along the RAM should be placed properly along the slot.
Once the new RAM is fitted into the slot nicely, you can push it down until you hear a click which comes from the two flexible metal holding clips on both sides of the RAM slot. After installing the first RAM, do the same thing with the other one and thats it!
Your machine is now ready to be used with its newly installed hardware. If youve been suffering from hangs and freezes before then you shouldnt be experiencing it now. If you want a step-by-step demonstration of the process. Just click on the Play button in the video below.
If you want more of our tutorials, you can get them delivered by us straight to your inbox when you subscribe for our email newsletter. Have you experienced problems when you upgraded your RAM recently? Let us know what happened by joining the discussion in the comments section below.
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