RAM

RAM - The right memory in your PC

RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is your computer's short-term storage for dynamic data, which the computer can quickly retrieve, thus performing processes faster.

RAM is most often installed on your computer's motherboard, where it is connected to the motherboard through slots called DIMMs.

On a desktop computer, it is relatively easy to replace RAM or upgrade the RAM that is already installed.

But RAM is not just RAM, and there are many types of RAM, so it is easy to accidentally buy something wrong if you do not know what you need.

Generally speaking, the more RAM your computer has, the faster your computer works, but not all RAM has the same speed, and this speed also plays a significant role in your computer's performance.

With some faster RAM, you increase the speed at which your memory can transfer information to other components, meaning your CPU can communicate with other components more quickly, making your computer more efficient.

If you are unsure about what type of RAM to look for, you can read below where we have gathered some more information about RAM.

5 things you should know about RAM

There are several different types of RAM, and these can have different speeds, so it is important which type of RAM you buy.

Read below and learn more about RAM, clock speeds, and types of RAM.

#1 - Physical size of RAM

When you are going to choose new RAM for an older motherboard, it is important that there is space on the motherboard for the physical size of the new RAM.

RAM is often placed in a DIMM slot on the motherboard, which has space for a certain size of RAM, and if the new RAM does not fit in this slot, you cannot use the new RAM unless you also replace the motherboard.

The physical size of RAM often depends on how many pins are on your RAM; the more pins, the larger or longer the RAM block is.

A desktop computer will often use a larger and longer RAM block than a laptop, where everything is more compact.

You should therefore ensure that the physical size of the new RAM fits the DIMM slot on the motherboard.

There are different types of DIMM slots on the market, so it is important to make sure you get the right type.

The types of DIMM will be listed below:

• UDIMM - This is generally the most common RAM module in computers. If RAM is just listed as "DIMM", it most often refers to UDIMM.
• SO-DIMM - This is usually the second most common RAM module and is most often used for laptops. "SO" stands for small outline, and a SO-DIMM is therefore smaller than UDIMM.
• MicroDIMM - MicroDIMM is even smaller than SO-DIMM and is not often used. If it is used, it is typically in small laptops or smaller devices.

#2 - Number of Pins on RAM

Pins are the electronic components that connect the RAM block with the computer's motherboard, which is how the connection with the motherboard is made.

It is the number of pins in the slot on the motherboard that tells you how many pins your new RAM should have.

This means that if the slot on the motherboard is designed for 200 pins, you cannot use RAM blocks with fewer or more than 200 pins.

There is often room for 4 or more RAM blocks in newer gaming computers, and these RAM blocks can be quite large and have many pins.

You will often be able to see on your motherboard which type of RAM the motherboard can handle and how many pins the slots have.

#3 - Types of RAM

There are several different types of RAM, and the market offers both new and older versions of RAM, including:

• DDR2
• DDR3
• DDR4
• DDR5

Most newer computers still use DDR4 RAM, and compared to the two older versions; DDR2 and DDR3, this offers a significant improvement in speed, not least because DDR4 RAM has significantly more MHz, which helps indicate the speed of the RAM.

DDR4 RAM hit the market in 2014 and has since been the preferred type of RAM, but now there is a whole new player on the market, namely DDR5 RAM, which has been long awaited.

Physically, there is not a significant difference between DDR4 and DDR5, neither in size nor in the number of pins, which is 288 pins for both types, but this still does not mean that they fit into the same slot on the motherboard.

On the slot, there is a small notch that has been moved slightly from DDR4 to DDR5, and this is enough for you not to be able to push DDR5 RAM into a DDR4 slot.

This is done to protect you from mistakes, as you risk damaging the motherboard and the computer as a whole if the computer does not support the DDR5 RAM you are trying to push into the motherboard.

Newer computers may in some cases utilize the option to use DDR5 RAM, as this RAM offers some new features that can help future-proof the computer.

The standard for DDR will likely change with the advancement of technology, so it is necessary to do your own research before buying new RAM.

#4 - Speed of RAM

The speed of RAM is measured in MHz and is also called the clock frequency; this speed can greatly impact your computer's performance.

While the number of GB describes the capacity of your RAM, the speed in Megahertz indicates how many frequencies are sent to your computer's CPU, and thus the speed of your RAM.

Below you will see a table showing the most important specifications for the different types of DDR RAM individually:

There are many different versions within each DDR type, and therefore this table only shows the range within which you can expect the specifications to be for the individual DDR type.

It is important that both your motherboard and your CPU can handle the speed of your RAM, and for this reason, you should only insert the type of RAM that the computer's motherboard is designated for.

When looking for RAM speed, you should also consider the latency/search time timings. This number tells you how quickly RAM can handle a task.

A lower latency will provide faster RAM, and this is also a factor worth considering when looking for RAM.

#5 - Amount of RAM

When you need to determine how much RAM you need, it may be a good idea to consider what your needs are, as there is a significant difference between your needs if you game compared to if you only use the computer for small tasks.

Small tasks on a computer can be defined as, for example, surfing the internet, using word processing and spreadsheet programs, checking emails, and using social media.

For small tasks, you can often manage with around 4-8 GB of RAM, and again a lot also depends on how fast this RAM is.

Office work involving graphical programs, multiple open programs at the same time, as well as all the small tasks mentioned earlier, will often allow you to manage with 8-12 GB of RAM.

If you game casually, you should aim for at least 16 GB of RAM, but you will often also need a good graphics card, which also has its own built-in RAM.

If you edit photos, videos, or game at a high level, you should look for a minimum of 32 GB and preferably more, as well as getting a good graphics card.

It is possible to get RAM with 64 and 128 GB as well, which is for you who want the best of the best. However, in many situations, it will not be necessary to have so many GB of RAM.

There will also be computer enthusiasts who will argue that you should fill all the RAM you can into your computer, but RAM, especially the fast kind, is not cheap, so you can benefit from only having what you need and then expand later on.

Frequently asked questions about RAM

Is RAM the same as memory?

RAM (Random Access Memory) is like your computer's short-term memory. This means that the more RAM you have, the more memory your computer has, allowing it to function faster. Therefore, RAM is the same as memory when it comes to your computer.

What is dedicated GPU RAM?

Dedicated GPU RAM is a special type of RAM found in dedicated graphics cards. This type of RAM is called VRAM, which stands for Video-RAM. This RAM is dedicated to the graphics card, meaning it is only used to create the graphics on the screen.