How to upgrade ram. How to upgrade ram

Dual Channel vs Quad Channel: If you buy RAM, you’ll usually get two modules in a bundle for “dual channel” purposes, which essentially doubles the data transfer rate. On professional computers for workstation use, usually with an Intel Core X or AMD Threadripper processor, you’ll even get a quad-channel one.

How to Upgrade RAM on a Laptop

Jon Martindale has been a fiction writer for over 10 years. He has written for publications such as Digital Trends, KitGuru and ITProPortal.

Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist with numerous IT certifications and over 12 years of experience in supporting and management positions in the IT industry.

What to Know

• Remove the access panel on the bottom of the laptop.
• Install additional memory cards, or remove old ones and replace them.
• Only selected laptops allow RAM expansion.

This guide will walk you through the process of checking if you can upgrade your laptop’s RAM and, if possible, how to do so.

Check if You Can Upgrade Your Laptop’s RAM

The first step in upgrading your laptop’s memory is to see if you can do it. Checking the bottom of your notebook for the dedicated memory access panel is an excellent first step. While it’s not absolutely necessary, if you have one, your laptop should be upgradeable.

You can also use the Crucial Memory Tool to determine if the memory is removable or not (i.e., is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be replaced). Enter the manufacturer and model number of the laptop. If it suggests your memory is removable and recommends some specific modules, you’re in luck: you can upgrade your laptop’s RAM.

Crucial will also tell you what the maximum memory of your laptop is in terms of gigabyte (GB) capacity. To find out if your existing RAM is less and therefore worth updating, you can take a look at the Task Manager performance tab.

If your memory is less than the maximum amount supported by your laptop, you can upgrade it. You can also use the Task Manager when you’re working hard on your computer to see if you’re using the most memory. In this case, upgrading may improve system performance.

While completing her PhD, Tina started writing about consumer technology in 2006 and has never stopped. Now also editor and SEO, you can find her on Twitter or by hiking nearby trail.

What Is Laptop RAM and Do You Need More?

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, but you’ll also see it as physical memory or just memory. Your operating system uses RAM to temporarily store information about running processes and tasks. More RAM means more processes can run simultaneously.

Full RAM can cause performance issues because the operating system has to store the overflow elsewhere. To free memory for active processes and tasks, the system starts writing redundant data, i.e information about inactive processes or tasks, to the hard disk (virtual memory). When the user returns to an idle process or job, the system must first free up RAM, then retrieve the requested item data from the hard disk and load it into RAM. Since hard disk read / write speeds are significantly slower than RAM read / write speeds, the user experiences lag.

If your laptop freezes frequently when you want to switch from one program to another, adding your laptop’s RAM will likely make your system much stronger.

With the advancement of solid state drives (SSDs), this latency has become much less of a problem. And while upgrading your RAM is probably the easiest way to fix the lag, upgrading your system disk from a hard disk drive (HDD) to an SSD will also boost your laptop’s performance.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

The amount of RAM you need depends on what you are doing with your computer. Moreover, the amount of RAM you can add is limited by the type of operating system you have.

How Much RAM Can You Have?

All Windows 32-bit operating systems, including Windows 10, support a maximum of 4 GB of RAM. If that’s you, don’t hold back and get as much as you can. If you’re running a 64-bit version of Windows, the amount of RAM you can add may actually be limited by your laptop’s motherboard.

Here is an overview of physical memory limitations for 64-bit versions of Windows:

Windows 10

• Windows 10 Home: 128 GB
• Windows 10 Pro and Education: 2 TB
• Windows Pro for Workstations and Enterprises: 6 TB

Windows 8

• Windows 8: 128 GB
• Windows 8 Professional and Enterprise: 512 GB

Windows 7

• Windows 7 Home Basic: 8 GB
• Windows 7 Home Premium: 16 GB
• Windows Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate: 192 GB

A complete overview can be found on this page Memory Limits for Windows Releases.

How Much RAM Do You Have Right Now?

Now that you know the maximum RAM supported by your operating system, let’s find out what you currently have.

In Windows, press the CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keyboard shortcut to open the Task Manager. Or, you can right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.

Go to the Performance tab and check what is written under Physical memory (MB) or Memory. The exact wording will vary depending on your Windows version. In Windows 7, the sum indicates the amount of RAM currently installed in the system.

On Windows 10, you’ll see the total amount of available memory in the upper-right corner of the Performance tab.

If the total RAM is less than what your system supports, you theoretically have room to upgrade. And if your RAM is exhausted, you also have a reason to upgrade. Leave the Task Manager open and see how your RAM is working while you continue to use your computer.

How Much Extra RAM Do You Need?

To find out how much information your system writes to virtual memory, use the Performance Monitor.

1. Go to Start, type “do” in the search box
2. Open the Performance Monitor
3. In the Monitoring Tools section, click Performance Monitor
4. Then click the green + symbol to add another variable
5. Paging file from the list and click Add >>
6. Click OK and watch

This will give you an idea of ​​how much RAM you really need.

Overall, 4 GB should be enough for normal web browsing and text editing. Aim for 8GB if you frequently run multiple programs simultaneously and / or have multiple browser tabs open. Look for more if you are using memory-intensive programs; One of them is Chrome.

Touch an unpainted metal laptop surface to discharge any static electricity in your body. This will help protect the sensitive internal components of the laptop.

Opening the laptop’s back panel

Before you open the rear panel of your laptop, turn it off and remove the battery. After removing the battery, use a compatible screwdriver to unscrew the back part. To avoid electrostatic discharge from your body, be sure to ground yourself by touching any other metal object. After opening the back part, locate the RAM module (shown in the picture below).

This procedure may vary by model, and on laptops with non-removable batteries, it’s a good idea not to remove the battery. There are also several laptop models that have easy rear access, allowing you to replace or add more RAM without removing the entire rear panel.

Adding the new RAM

Most laptops usually have an additional RAM slot into which an additional RAM module can be connected. If you don’t have an extra RAM slot, you can remove the existing RAM and replace it with a higher capacity RAM. For example, if you have a laptop with 8 GB of RAM with a single RAM slot, in which case you may need to remove the existing 8 GB RAM module and replace it with something higher.

To remove the old RAM, press the clips that hold the RAM (left photo). Gently pull the RAM outward without touching the metal connectors. To add new RAM, put the new RAM module in the appropriate slot. Gently press down the RAM at a 45-degree angle until you hear a click sound.

Push the RAM down until it locks into the clips. Once the new RAM is in place, replace the rear panel and laptop battery. Turn on your laptop and it should automatically detect the new RAM module.

A RAM upgrade should make your laptop run faster and extend it by several years. If you’re using a really old laptop, you should definitely consider getting a new one from our range of laptops. Before doing so, be sure to read our guides on choosing a new laptop based on its CPU and graphics cards. You can also visit your nearest Reliance Digital store and we’ll be happy to help you choose your new laptop.

Before ordering new memory, obtain your notebook’s product number to search for model-specific documents and specifications. This number is usually found on a label on the bottom of the notebook or on the packaging in which it was shipped. Go to How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number? for additional options.

Verify how much memory you can add

Confirm the amount of memory installed to determine how much memory can be added depending on whether the computer is turned on or off.

Verify memory amount while the computer is turned on

To find the total amount of memory that can be added, subtract the amount of memory currently in the computer from the maximum amount of memory the computer can hold. To find out the maximum amount of memory your computer can hold, see Finding specifications for the currently installed memory in this document.

To find the amount of memory per slot, divide the maximum amount of memory the computer can hold by the number of memory slots on the motherboard. Usually this is the maximum amount for each memory slot. For example, if your computer can hold a maximum of 4096 MB (4 GB) of memory and your motherboard has four memory slots, install 1 GB (or less) per slot.

Verify memory amount while the computer is turned off

Before touching memory, you must ground yourself to discharge static electricity. Place one hand on the computer casing and the other hand touch a metal surface or grounded object such as the metal part of a lamp.

Take a look at memory to determine the number of available memory module slots and the number of slots that are already in use.

Release the side latches and grasp the outer edges of the memory to remove each module from the slot.

Do not touch the gold connectors going into the handle. Touching the connectors can damage existing memory.

Look for stickers on the memory module with the amount of memory, replacement part numbers, and product information.

To find the total amount of memory that can be added, subtract the amount of memory currently in the computer from the maximum amount of memory the computer can hold. To find out the maximum amount of memory your computer can hold, see Finding specifications for the currently installed memory in this document.

To find the amount of memory per slot, divide the maximum amount of memory the computer can hold by the number of memory slots on the motherboard. Usually this is the maximum amount for each memory slot. For example, if your computer can hold a maximum of 4096 MB (4 GB) of memory and your motherboard has four memory slots, install 1 GB (or less) per slot.

Your motherboard has the maximum amount of RAM it can handle and a fixed number of RAM slots – the physical spaces where your RAM modules are located. Keep these factors in mind when evaluating the choice of RAM for your motherboard.

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How to upgrade RAM on a laptop

Is there a way to increase RAM on a laptop? Until you hit your system’s maximum RAM, then yes! The same considerations that apply to RAM for desktops also determine how much RAM your laptop can support.

Additionally, some laptops may not be eligible for a RAM upgrade at all. Sometimes RAM modules are soldered directly to the motherboard, which means you can’t remove them yourself. Check online to see if your laptop has removable RAM.

Assuming your laptop can handle more RAM, here’s how to add it:

Turn off the laptop, shut it down and let it cool down.

Disconnect all cords, cables, and accessories.

Turn it over and place it face down on your work surface.

Open the bottom case or remove the part covering the RAM. The details here will depend on the type of laptop you have. If you need to unscrew the case, be sure which screws go into which holes as sizes may vary depending on the screw.

Touch an unpainted metal laptop surface to discharge any static electricity in your body. This will help protect the sensitive internal components of the laptop.

Remove the current RAM modules by gently pushing away the latches that hold them in place. Each RAM module should pop out and out at an angle. Then you can pull it out of the RAM slot.

Grasp new RAM modules by the edges or corners. Do not touch the golden connectors or any elements on the top of the module!

Align the notch on the new RAM module properly with the RAM slot, and then insert it. Push it in until it locks into place.

Press down on the RAM module so that it lies flat in the laptop. The clamps should slide back into place.

Replace the back cover of the laptop, turn it over again, and then reconnect all cables and cords.

Check your RAM upgrade

After installing the new RAM, turn on your computer and check its RAM again to make sure everything is working properly. You can go back to the Task Manager as described above, or you can right-click This PC on the desktop and select Properties.

Look for information about your computer’s memory and check that the total amount of memory displayed matches the RAM you just installed. If so, congratulations – you have successfully upgraded your RAM!

Whenever you install new internal components, consider performing computer stress tests to assess their stability.

We advise you to always keep this in mind when purchasing a new Mac. There are various custom build options available when you buy a new Mac from Apple, and you should get as much RAM as you can afford.

How to upgrade Mac Pro RAM

Once upon a time, the Mac Pro was Apple’s friendliest product. Even the 2013 Mac Pro had a memory bay, although accessing it is a bit of a hassle.

The RAM in Apple’s new Mac Pro, which was launched in late 2019, is also user-upgradeable.

Mac Pro (2013) RAM update

It’s worth remembering that memory latches aren’t very strong and are prone to bending if you’re not careful. OWC provides a “nylon prying tool” (AKA “Spudger”) for just that, but it’s not entirely necessary – a little gentleness and a little patience go a long way.

Apple provides an illustrated guide to upgrading your memory: just click Apple> About This Mac, then click the Memory tab, then click the Memory Upgrade Instructions link.

1. Slide the lock switch to the right to the unlock position, then slide the outer case up and off your Mac Pro.
2. Push the RAM release latch up (in the direction of the white arrow). This will release the RAM slots to the outside and allow access to the modules.

Mac Pro Tower (pre 2012) RAM update

1. Lift the locking lever on the back of the case to unlock the side panel, then remove the side panel.
2. Find the RAM tray in the bottom corner of your Mac Pro.

What to do after replacing your RAM

After the upgrade is complete, you can safely run a memory test on the new modules – to make sure everything is working.

Why? It is often not obvious if some RAM is not suitable. Sometimes a defective chip undergoes manufacturer quality testing – and a memory test can help prevent problems before you start experiencing crashes and similar disasters.

Recommended: Memtest

One of the most popular programs for this purpose is Memtest, which is available for free here.

It is easy to use. First, download the project folder as a zip.

Then unpack it and run the Memtest unix executable.

The software will run a test sequence in a terminal window. Close as many applications as possible before running the test – this will allow Memtest to work with as much RAM as possible.

Some alternatives

If for some reason Memtest is not for you, there are many alternatives in the App Store – search for “Memory Test” software, but check the reviews first. We haven’t tested any of them and we can only vouch for Memtest.

You can also use your Mac’s built-in memory tests. Restart or restart your Mac and hold D while booting – this should bring you to the diagnostic screen. What actually shows up at this point will depend on your operating system, but somewhere in the options there should be a section called “Hardware Tests” – where you’ll find the option to test your memory.

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