Most average laptops these days will come with 4GB of RAM but there are significant advantages to upgrading to 8GB or even 16GB of RAM. With higher capacity RAM you can run more programs simultaneously. RAM speed can also make a difference, as faster speeds allow for faster data processing, but capacity will have a greater effect on the performance of your computer.
So how do you know if you have enough RAM?
For starters, just your computer’s operating system can use up a lot of RAM. While Windows 10 doesn’t require more than 4GB of RAM, recent feature updates mean that a computer with only 4GB RAM may struggle to run Windows 10 at a decent speed. At Dove we recommend that you have a minimum of 8GB RAM if you are running Windows 10.
Next you need to consider what you are using your computer for.
General tasks like email, word processing or spreadsheets usually don’t use up a lot of RAM. However, running all these tasks simultaneously could eat into 4GB of RAM quickly. And if you’re working with huge, complex spreadsheets or media heavy word documents you might find that you’re using more RAM than you think.
Web browsers in particular are very RAM intensive and with each tab you have open, you will be increasing the amount of RAM you’re using. The websites you visit will have an effect too – a website that’s mostly text will use less resources than streaming from Youtube or Netflix.
There are some users for whom 8GB might not even be enough. Gamers will find that larger amounts of RAM will support better frame rates (speeds) and higher graphics settings. For most PC games, 8GB of RAM is a minimum and 16GB is ideal. Similarly, if you are regularly working with video editing or graphics programs like Photoshop, you will want a minimum 8GB RAM.
Is it worth upgrading? RAM is often the cheapest hardware upgrade for your computer, and one of the easiest to install. If you want that improvement in performance then buying a computer with more RAM or upgrading your current computer is definitely worth it.
If you would like to upgrade your RAM or simply want some advice on an upgrade or new computer, please give us a call on 01335 81 80 81 or fill in the contact form.