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The more RAM the better why. Your volume and whether you need more. RAM for a laptop or desktop computer

When faced with the problem of optimizing the operation of a computer and increasing its performance, the first step to solving the problem, which is easiest to do, is to increase amount of RAM or optimize it by increasing performance. The most the best option of the proposed is the acquisition additional strip random access memory (RAM) or replacing existing memory sticks with those that have large capacity.

Difficulty in choosing when replacing an operational module Windows memory lies in the particular influence of its parameters on computer performance. It is worth remembering that RAM communicates with the central processor. The stronger the relationship between these components, the faster the necessary calculations are carried out in the system. Therefore, the choice of memory must be approached based on the above, and then the RAM will work with maximum efficiency.

But before you go to the store for new trims, you need to install:

  • What amount of memory is currently installed and what is the maximum amount supported by the board?
  • What type of memory is supported motherboard and processor?
  • How many memory slots are there and in what mode do they operate?
  • What is the memory frequency supported by the processor?

Let's start in order. In general, what is RAM needed for? To temporarily store data to perform ongoing processor operations. The larger it is, the easier it is for the processor to simultaneously perform several tasks.


RAM is volatile, which means that after the computer is turned off, all data on it will be deleted, unlike data stored on the hard drive.

How to find out the current amount of RAM?

To do this, it is not even necessary to open the computer lid - we launch the Speccy utility we already know and find the current characteristics in the corresponding section. In principle, all the main characteristics are already presented here, which we will consider in detail below.

IN this moment We are interested in the volume - I have 2 slots on my laptop, both of which are occupied. Overall size— 2000 MB (2GB), that is, there are 2 1 GB sticks on the laptop.


For normal daily Windows operation this is quite enough, but if you plan to play games with complex graphics or use heavy graphics or video programs, it is advisable to install more.

By the way, each version of the operating system has minimum requirements on RAM, without which it simply will not work.

  • For Windows XP— At least 64 MB of RAM (at least 128 MB recommended)
  • Windows 10, 7 and 8- 1 gigabyte (GB) (for a 32-bit system) or 2 GB (for a 64-bit system) of random access memory (RAM).

Even when planning the volume for increase, you should find out from the characteristics motherboard or processor, which one maximum size supported. This is indicated in detailed description in the memory section. Yes, in the model Intel Core i54430 maximum size - 32 GB.

For an office PC on which work will only take place with office documents, 1 GB of memory is enough.
For home for watching videos, photos, use various applications It is recommended to use 2 GB or more.
For powerful gaming computer- 8GB and above.

However, keep in mind that 4 GB or more will only work fully on a 64-bit OS; Windows 32 and up will see no more than 3 GB.

Supported RAM type

The next indicator characterizing the RAM is its type. We list them as technologies develop - SDRAMM DIMM, DDR (or PC), DDR2 (PC-2) and DDR3 (PC-3).


As you can see from the above screenshot from the Speccy program, my laptop supports DDR3 memory, although today the latest modern standard is DDR4.

All modern processors They work with this standard, however, you can also find older standards on older boards. If your computer is many years old, then it is likely that it uses an outdated type and the memory module must be selected of this particular standard. Memory modules different types are incompatible with “foreign” slots on system board.

You can also find out the type of supported RAM from the characteristics of the processor (CPU) or motherboard model on the manufacturer’s official website - these models are also easy to find out in Speccy program or its analogues.

If you have spare sticks of RAM, it can also sometimes be difficult to determine what type it is. Usually they have a sticker indicating the type - PC, PC-2, PC-3 or DDR, DDR2, DDR3. But if there is no sticker, then we will determine it as follows.

The DDR and DDR2 strips are very similar in appearance and have 1 key (cutout) located almost in the center. But DDR has 180 contacts - 92 on each side. And on DDR2 - 240 - 120 on each side, and they are visually narrower than DDR2. It's easy to count them because they are numbered.

DDR3 modules have the same number of pins as PC-2, but the key is not in the middle, but shifted to the edge.


The memory module of the very old SDRAM standard is distinguished by the presence of two keys.

Number of slots for memory sticks and their operating mode

We also saw the number of slots intended for installing brackets in the program - I have 2 of them. If you open the lid of the computer case, you can see several characteristic one- or multi-colored connectors on the board. This is the place where the memory sticks are placed. There are 4 of them in the picture below.

The multicolored color tells us that the memory on this board can operate in two-channel mode- that is, at the same time the data is transferred from the controller to the processor or north bridge(depending on) through two channels, which increases the speed of data processing.

To activate this mode, you should purchase at least 2 strips and, as a rule, insert them into two same-color connectors. Which ones exactly? This is written in the instructions for the board and in different models colors may vary. If you buy 4 modules at once, then use all the slots at once.

You also need to take into account that if you currently have a total memory of 2 GB, like me, and you plan to increase it to 4 GB, then it is optimal to purchase 2 modules of 2 GB each rather than one 4 GB, since you can use them to the maximum in in two-channel mode.

It should also be noted here that when purchasing several modules, it is advisable to choose one manufacturer, or even better, take a ready-made kit (KIT) consisting of several strips at once - such a kit is guaranteed to work without problems.

Clock frequency

Another important indicator memory - her clock frequency, which is measured in megahertz (MHz). The speed of information processing depends on it. When choosing a module, be sure to look at what frequency your processor officially supports. The model that was shown in the screenshot above works with PC3-12800 (DDR3 1600 MHz), PC3-10600 (DDR3 1333 MHz), PC3-8500 (DDR3 1066 MHz) memory. The same characteristics can be seen on online store websites in the detailed description of memory modules. For example, let's look at a gaming kit of 4 4 GB sticks Corsair XMS3 DDR-III DIMM 32Gb KIT 4*8Gb:

RAM Bandwidth

A parameter such as throughput also depends on the frequency, which shows how much data can be transferred maximum per certain time. It is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s) and is calculated by multiplying the frequency by 8. That is, in our example, the memory has a frequency of 1333 MHz * 8 = 10667 MB/s, which is also visible in the description.

The higher the bandwidth, the higher the speed of the RAM module. However, we take into account the fact that

modern processors support working with memory that has maximum frequency 1600 MHz.

If you buy an expensive stick with a higher frequency, it will work the same as a cheaper one at 1600 MHz.

Timing

Here we can also talk about such a characteristic as timing. This is the delay time when processing operations inside the RAM module chips themselves. The timing is recorded as a sequence of several numbers - in our example it is 9-9-9-24. The last 4th two-digit parameter characterizes the performance of the entire microcircuit as a whole.

Timing can also be indicated by the letters CL and a number, which indicates the first value in the detailed sequence. In our example, the short version would be designated as CL9.

The lower the timings, the better, but such modules also cost more. However, this only matters for high-performance, high-speed PCs - for home and office on this parameter you can ignore it.

Gamers can take advantage BIOS settings and manually play with changing the timings downward, but you need to do this carefully, otherwise you risk damaging the modules.

RAM for a laptop or desktop computer?

In theory, this is the first question that we should ask ourselves, but essentially it is not the most important, since it is simply impossible to confuse the form factor. For a laptop, the modules are wide and short, for a PC they are long and narrow.

On the websites in the characteristics they are indicated as follows:

  • DIMM- for PC,
  • SODIMM- for laptop.

Type of cooling of memory strips

If you are purchasing a RAM module for a powerful gaming computer, then you should pay attention to the type of cooling. During intensive work or “overclocking” by decreasing the timings, they can heat up, so the work of the internal case fans may not be enough to cool them.

On simple strips there is no cooling at all - you will see open soldered microcircuit chips. For more expensive models The most common type of cooling is installed - a metal radiator.

For the most avid gamers, they even came up with such a thing as water cooling— such modules together with the system can significantly exceed the cost of both the motherboard and processor combined.

Decoding the RAM module

Now let's decipher the name of the memory module presented in one of the popular online stores:

Crucial Ballistix Sport XT BLS2C4G3D18ADS3CEU DDR-III DIMM 8Gb KIT 2*4Gb PC3-14900 CL10

  • So, manufacturer Cruisal, the kit consists of 2 modules of 4 Gb each.
  • Memory standard DDR-III and form factor DIMM, that is, for a desktop PC.
  • Bandwidth - 14900 Mb/s
  • Timing - CL10
  • Frequency needed in in this case look in detailed specifications goods, or calculate it yourself by dividing throughput(14900) by 8.

Tips to follow when buying RAM

  • It is worth buying RAM from trusted manufacturers. The price of branded brands is much higher, but the quality guarantee and stable operation of the computer are worth it. Here is a list of verified companies: Corsair, Kingston, Kingmax, Transcend, OCZ, Hynix, Hyundai, Samsung.
  • RAM paired with chipset good quality are the key to maximum productivity, given that the first has a maximum operating frequency.
  • Remember that RAM should always be paired. It is necessary that the modules match the frequency of operation, the strips installed with different frequencies run at the memory speed that is the slowest you have installed, or don't work together at all. For example, if you have two channels for RAM and one of the slots has a 2GB stick, then you need to purchase another module with the same capacity, timings and from the same manufacturer.
    A the best option— buy a set of modules (Kit), which is guaranteed by the manufacturer that these strips are compatible
  • For gaming computers, preference should be given to RAM with the lowest time delays. Even at low frequencies the memory always works with maximum return.
  • Be sure to ensure that your motherboard, processor, and operating system are compatible with the amount of memory you choose. If your computer system is 32-bit, then you should purchase a stick of no more than 4GB, since a 32-bit system sees up to 3GB of RAM.
  • When purchasing memory to increase existing RAM, it would be better to purchase a model whose characteristics are similar to those installed in your computer. Purchasing a better or worse specification bar will lead to deterioration in computer performance.

In conclusion - detailed video on installing a memory module in a computer.

One of frequently asked questions which beginners ask when choosing their first personal computer or mobile computing system is “what does RAM affect?” Really, for what?

If everything is relatively simple - the higher the frequency, the faster arithmetic operations are performed (this is too bold a generalization, but it’s suitable for an example), then with regard to memory capacity, not everything is so obvious.

As a result, a buyer who does not know what RAM affects most often purchases a system either with insufficient capacity, wanting to save several tens of dollars, or - at the other extreme - with a huge reserve for the future. Alas, before this time comes, the computer is changed several times for more new model. Conclusion: every novice user needs to have a good understanding of the question “what does RAM affect?”

The answer is simple - it determines as a whole. And that's why. Data read from does not immediately go into the computing unit for processing, but is first downloaded into RAM.

From there the processor “takes” them, performs the necessary mathematical operations and sends them back to the modules. Thus, two conclusions can be drawn from the above. First: even the most modern system cannot work without RAM. Second: the parameters of the modules directly affect the speed of the computer, since they are an integral part of the logical chain.

The most obvious characteristic is volume. In modern modules it is measured in gigabytes (previously there were kilobytes and megabytes). The unit of information is a bit. One byte consists of eight such ones (binary digits). Accordingly, “kilo” is a thousand, “mega” is a million, etc. General rule: the bigger, the better. But, without fully understanding what RAM affects, you cannot blindly follow it. The fact is that there are a number of important caveats. For example, for a low-performance central processor, there is no point in connecting 8 GB of RAM, since their potential will still not be fully realized.

This important point. To clarify, let’s use an analogy: nothing prevents you from installing an engine from an F-1 sports car on a budget passenger car, but it is quite clear that the speed that it helps the car develop will be unattainable, because all other components will turn out to be real “fetters” limiting potential. As a rule, for computing systems, whose main tasks are to work with office applications, surfing the Internet, watching videos, a volume of 2 GB is considered quite sufficient, and 4 GB is considered ideal (with a margin that does not hit the wallet too much). The situation is completely different with powerful gaming computers - for them 8 GB of RAM has become the norm. Nowadays even 16 GB does not surprise anyone, because there is no limit to perfection.

To purchase good modules(bars), you will need a memory testing program. There are quite a few of them, but one of the best is TestMem, which runs in DOS (required bootable flash drive or disk). You should not be lazy, but test the modules for errors immediately after purchase. Having identified a faulty bar, it can be easily changed.

The last piece of advice, which, unfortunately, is often ignored: it makes sense to purchase two smaller modules rather than one larger one. With this connection, the subsystem's capacity increases.

The conversation about who, how much and whom “crushed” no longer scares people. Everyone is used to hearing such conversations from the mouths of young people. This used to be for the phrase “I went to kill a man, but they gave me so much experience for him!” and other fun things you could get a ticket to the “yellow house”. What am I talking about? Oh yes. Sorry for starting from afar, but I can’t imagine gamers any other way. Although, again, the conversation will not be about them, but about their computers.

I remember at one time, the 128-meter bar was worth its weight in gold, but now two gigabytes won’t surprise anyone. This is technical progress! Looking at my system, I wondered how much RAM is needed for normal functioning computer? After all, each user should have their own required maximum. I thought seriously. It's decided! Right now I’ll set myself a goal and find out the question of interest.

First you need to think about what gives? Firstly, the system will work faster when large quantities simultaneously running programs. Secondly, in games, to speed up data processing. Thirdly, for users who work with “heavy” programs. It turns out that all users can be divided into two... No, three categories. Moreover, not all of them require an increase in RAM

The first includes those who need a small amount of RAM. People who work with documents, surf the Internet and do not use “heavy” programs. 1GB of RAM is the “ceiling” for them. There's even enough for games while the boss isn't looking. For such purposes, an average laptop (as an alternative to a computer) is quite sufficient.

We will move into the second category those who need RAM to perform several tasks. In this case, you will have to work with programs of medium and high “heaviness” (Photoshop, Adobe Premiere etc.), which are much more demanding on system resources. The minimum allocated for these purposes is 2GB (although increasing RAM I consider up to 4GB the maximum limit). Machines with this amount of RAM can already be considered confident averages capable of small achievements!

Well, the third category is the most demanding. These are avid gamers who ONLY need to play on large monitor, ONLY with the maximum amount of RAM and ONLY with best video card. Here, RAM is purchased in packs, and sticks of the maximum size (supported by the motherboard) are taken. 4GB for such a thing is “going out for a walk.” In general, the more, the better. This category also includes testers and “hardware-maximalists” who strive to pump their systems to the maximum high level(They certainly won’t need computer help; they are used to doing everything themselves).

To summarize we can say that:

The workstation requires 1GB of RAM (minimum level);

An advanced system requires 2GB to 4GB of RAM (custom systems);

Maximum pumped systems from 4GB of RAM (premium class);

Well, now my soul is at peace. The question of interest has been sorted out, food for thought has been found (I have “only” 2GB of RAM, although I REALLY love to play), all that remains is to save some money and make computer upgrade (Upgrade). And I'll start it with increasing RAM! It's not so expensive that you can afford to "enjoy the slideshow." Personally, my nerves are more important to me! I hope you too.

I would like to say a huge thank you to the guys from the KLiK company, who conducted an excellent consultation and enlightened me on some controversial issues. If there are any problems with increasing RAM, or you will need ambulance computer help (and maybe computer repair) - don’t hesitate to contact us. On this optimistic note, I say goodbye. I hope that my creation will be useful. Take care of yourself, hardware and money!

Almost any composition computer equipment There are two types of memory. Permanent (non-volatile) memory is used to store MP3 songs, photos, videos, documents and others important files. What is the difference between RAM? What does RAM affect, how many gigabytes do you need? modern smartphone? This article will answer all these questions.

Any smartphone consists of many components. The biggest impact on the performance of the operating system is CPU(CPU). The second place in this ranking is definitely taken by random access memory (RAM). If this component is very slow, and the free volume is very low, then the system and most applications will experience slowdowns. As an example, let's remember the very first smartphones on Symbian-based, the amount of RAM in which was calculated in a few megabytes. On those devices it was almost impossible to pause music playback to respond to incoming call- upon returning to music player the track started over again because there was not enough space in the RAM to store the current position.

The main difference between RAM and permanent memory is volatility. When the power is turned off, the RAM is reset to zero. But this type of memory is much faster than ROM.

Both then and now, RAM is divided into several conventional sections:

  • System- here is the operating system (Android, iOS), as well as all sorts of service modules pre-installed by the smartphone manufacturer. A branded shell may also be present in this segment. It is the system section that is filled with information first. The more speed memory used in the device, the faster the operating system loads.
  • Custom- this memory is available after the loading of the OS finishes. This section contains executable files different applications- Internet browser, instant messengers and others. Also here, add-ons for firmware may gradually appear here, released by the gadget manufacturer in the form of updates.
  • Available- a small section reserved by the operating system. This “reservation” is needed to prevent problem situations And quick launch new applications.

What does RAM affect?

What benefits does a user get if a smartphone has an increased amount of RAM? On such a device, more applications can run in the background. That is, the Internet browser will not load the page from scratch if you return to it after visiting many other programs. Also, with a large amount of RAM, it can work in the background great amount messengers, torrent client and other types of applications. But the performance of the operating system itself depends not so much on the volume as on the speed characteristics of the RAM. Affects the operation of Android or iOS OS and optimization of the operating system.

Bill Gates once said that 640 KB of RAM is enough for any computer. Now, even a mobile operating system requires approximately 1 GB, and to this you also need to add a proprietary shell and applications that are then installed. And if the code is poorly optimized, then slowdowns and freezes will occur in any case. A good example are Samsung smartphones and tablets released before 2015. There was a sufficient amount of RAM in such devices, but the cumbersome and unoptimized interface literally forced the gadget to slow down from time to time.

The duration depends on the amount of RAM battery life. Everything here is banal. Large quantity background processes loads the CPU quite heavily. And this, in turn, leads to increased energy consumption. Smartphone manufacturers are combating this with thinner chipset process technology, more capacious battery And better optimization pre-installed software.

How much RAM does a smartphone need?

As mentioned above, the operating room Android system can take up from 512 MB to 1 GB of RAM. Also, RAM is needed for those applications that will be installed as the device is used. This means that now you should not buy a smartphone that contains less than 2 GB of RAM. And this is already the minimum parameter! If you need to purchase a device that will definitely not be unloaded from memory recently running applications, then you need to think about a device whose characteristics include 4 GB or even more RAM.

Please note that you shouldn’t overdo it either. 8 GB of RAM is just a marketing ploy. Android simply cannot yet consume such a huge amount. Only future versions of the operating system will learn how to do this, which, quite possibly, will never arrive on the selected device.

How to free up RAM?

Many smartphone owners think that to free up RAM they just need to open the list of previously running applications and then click “Close all”. In part, this really helps to free up some RAM, which will help, for example, run the game better. But sometimes more effective methods are required.

Many branded shells have built-in tools for freeing up RAM. Applications can be unloaded from it automatically, once every certain period of time. But much more often you have to free up memory manually. Let's consider the user's actions using the example of a smartphone from Samsung:

Step 1. Go to " Settings».

Step 2. Click on the item " Optimization».

Step 3. Wait until the device check is completed, then click on “ RAM" Or click on the button " Optimize"if you want to free permanent memory.

Step 4. In the “RAM” subsection it will be launched additional verification. Then you need to press the button " Clear" The system will first tell you exactly how much RAM will be freed.

On smartphones and tablets from other companies, the built-in optimizer utility may be located somewhere in the menu; in this case, visiting “Settings” is not required. There are proprietary shells without a built-in ability to free up RAM. Fortunately, no one prevents the user from downloading from Google Play special application doing the same thing. The site has a separate article about the best optimizers for Android - all you have to do is choose the appropriate option. Let's try to download and install CCleaner.

Step 1. Launch the installed application. When starting for the first time, you will need to press the " Begin».

Step 2. The program may also offer to update to paid version. It is devoid of advertising and supplemented with some useful features. If you don’t want to spend money yet, then click the “ Continue for free».

Step 3. The main window of the application indicates the filled amount of ROM and RAM. In order for the program to understand exactly how much volume can be freed, you should click the “ Analysis».

Step 4. When starting for the first time on fresh Android versions A warning will appear stating that the utility requires permissions to work with certain sections of the operating system. Click the button Clear" and provide the requested permissions.

Step 5. The analysis can take quite a long time - it all depends on how long ago CCleaner was last launched. When the process is completed, you need to check the boxes next to those elements that can be deleted from permanent and RAM memory. After this, all you have to do is press the “ Clear».

Step 6 In the future, you can order the program to automatically clear RAM and ROM. This is done in a separate section. However, to activate this feature you will need to purchase a paid version of the application.

Clearing RAM in modern versions Android is rarely required. Mostly this action may be needed before starting some very heavy game. In general, you don't have to think about RAM if the amount of this type of memory is equal to or greater than 4 GB.

Summarizing

This article made it clear what RAM is in a smartphone. RAM is much faster than flash memory, but it requires a constant supply of energy, without which all information will simply be deleted. We advise you to familiarize yourself with how to increase permanent memory - this article is also very relevant for owners of budget smartphones.

Answering the question of what RAM affects is even easier than explaining the principle of its operation.

First of all, the type, frequency and amount of RAM affect the data transfer speed– and, therefore, how quickly the application and, especially, the game will work.

Insufficient volume RAM can make it impossible for the program to work, freeze the computer, and even restart the operating system.

Contents:

Impact of RAM size

Operating memory(or RAM, or RAM) is a volatile chip through which data is exchanged.

When the power is turned off, all information stored in it disappears.

Data transfer between RAM and the processor can be carried out directly and through the so-called zero-level memory or cache.

The exchange speed depends on the operational parameters - frequency and even type (from DDR to DDR4). But one of the main characteristics that you should pay attention to is its volume.

On modern computers it is at least 2 gigabytes - quite enough to run most applications and even not very new games (mostly released in the 2000s).

You can find a smaller volume value - for example, 1 GB, 512 MB - only on older computers.

Size 4 GB – quite suitable option for budget home computer , designed for Internet surfing, watching videos with decent quality (although this will also require an appropriate video card) and listening to music. You won't be able to play it on a computer. modern games even on medium settings. However, some of them will start with minimal parameters.

Volumes of 8 and 16 gigabytes are more than enough for any tasks assigned to their computer by the average user. Especially if it comes with 4–8 GB of GDDR5 graphics memory.

And 32 GB is quite enough so as not to worry about the work of the most modern applications for several more years.

Important: You should not count on a sharp increase in PC speed after replacing it with an option twice the size. Along with it, it is also necessary to upgrade the video and the central processor. And 32-bit OS and do not support more than 3 GB of RAM.

Influence of memory type

The speed of working with applications and data transfer also depends on the type. In computers built over the past few years, you can find three options:

  • DDR2(with a frequency of up to 1200 MHz) - used on new PCs several years ago, but was almost completely replaced by the new generation;
  • DDR3(frequency up to 2400 MHz) – relatively new option, installed on most modern budget and mid-range computers);
  • DDR4(frequency up to 3200 MHz) - which could replace DDR3, but is not supported by all motherboards and processors.

By installing a DDR4 bar on your computer, you can increase the information transfer speed by about 1.5–2 times. However, to install it you will have to change both the motherboard and the processor.

This option is not suitable for all users planning to partially upgrade their PC.

And for them it will be much more profitable to install RAM with a larger capacity or with better frequency indicators.

The buyer of a new (and, most importantly, gaming) computer should, if possible, choose DDR4 - and, preferably, provide for the possibility of adding new brackets.

Frequency value

The frequency indicator matters for. AND modern models practically not produced with a value of this parameter less than 1600 MHz.

However, if you decide to replace the bracket on your PC or laptop, you should also pay attention to the capabilities of the motherboard.

If the motherboard supports no more than 1333 MHz, and the installed one has a frequency of 1833 MHz, the data transfer rate will be limited to a lower value.

Increased work efficiency

Sometimes the owner of a computer with a fairly large amount of RAM may experience slowdowns in applications.

And you may even think about the need to add a new operating system - or even completely upgrade your PC. However, the problem can be solved in more ways in a simple way:

  • by checking how busy it is currently (via "Task Manager");