Can I add any RAM?

Is it possible to just add a new RAM to the existing RAM in order to boost the memory of my desktop PC? Yes, but if you do, you will have to use the exact type of memory that came with your computer. You also have to have enough RAM slots.

Can I just add any RAM?

A common misconception about RAM is that you can put any RAM into any slot. You can do that, but it won't work, or it will work ineffectively. If you have four RAM slots, always buy matched pairs of RAM (two sticks from the same company, same speed, and same capacity) for the best results.

How do I know what RAM is compatible with my computer?

The easiest way to find what RAM is compatible with your motherboard is by checking your motherboard's Memory QVL list. As you browse for your motherboard's RAM specifications on the manufacturer's website, look for a page or section called “Memory QVL” or “RAM support list”.

Is it OK to put 2 different types of RAM?

Can You Mix Different RAM Brands? In short, the answer to this question is: yes. No matter the brand, speed, and size of the RAM, theoretically, you can mix and match RAM in your system, though it may prove to be problematic.

Is RAM compatible with everything?

Since each type of memory has different notch locations (which are important for installation), different memory technologies aren't compatible with each other. Motherboards are generally only able to support one type of memory technology.

A Beginners Guide: Upgrading Your PC's RAM

Does RAM need to be matched?

No you don't need to have two matching RAM sticks. But that is preferred if you have a Dual channel capable motherboard. On dual channel capable motherboards 2 identical RAMs in proper slots will give a performance boost.

Will any DDR4 RAM work with any motherboard?

The DRAM modules have different shapes, and the pin-out will only fit on the mother board based on the recommend memory that the manufacturer. As DDR4 will only work in DDR4 compatible motherboards and DDR3 will only fit in DDR3 compatible motherboards.

Is 32 GB RAM overkill?

32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.

Is it bad to have mismatched RAM?

Busting RAM Myths One at a Time

These six myths are the most common ones you'll read regarding RAM. You can do a lot with RAM: mismatched sticks, different speeds, different sizes, and so on. For the most part, you'll just end up with a slower computer. Still, it is always best to match your RAM sticks.

Can you mix DDR3 and DDR4 RAM?

Every DDR generation is different from the others. DDR4 is not backward-compatible with DDR3 so a DDR4 DIMM will not fit on a DDR3 DIMM slot. Not only is the key notch of each DDR generation different (please refer to Figure 1 above), but the DDR4 pin size and arrangement is different from DDR3.

Is My RAM upgradable?

The easiest way to find out if your laptop's RAM can be upgraded is in Windows. Go to Task Manager > Performance > Memory and see if it uses RAM sticks under "Form factor." Look for "SODIMM." You'll also be able to see your RAM's speed and how many slots are being used.

How do I know if my desktop RAM is upgradeable?

Identify your motherboard manufacturer and model, then look up its maximum RAM capacity online or in your ownership manual. RAM modules come in a range of capacities, so even if you have only a few RAM slots, you can meet your motherboard's RAM maximum by purchasing higher-capacity RAM modules.

How much RAM do I really need?

How much RAM do you need? Generally, we recommend 8GB of RAM for casual computer usage and internet browsing, 16GB for spreadsheets and other office programs, and at least 32GB for gamers and multimedia creators. How you use your computer influences how much RAM you need, so use this as a guideline.

Will adding RAM increase speed?

In a nutshell, installing more RAM may improve computer speed if you frequently use many programs or browsing tabs at once, or if you do memory-intensive tasks like gaming or Photoshop. Under regular use, however, a CPU upgrade will probably have a greater immediate effect on performance.

Will adding more RAM increase speed?

Generally, the faster the RAM, the faster the processing speed. With faster RAM, you increase the speed at which memory transfers information to other components. Meaning, your fast processor now has an equally fast way of talking to the other components, making your computer much more efficient.

Is it cheaper to upgrade RAM yourself?

You'll save on the cost of memory modules.

Computer shops typically mark up the price of the components they install for you. By buying memory direct from a major memory manufacturer, you'll save on the cost of a memory upgrade – and you'll avoid markups.

Is 16GB RAM enough?

16GB of RAM is considered the 'sweet spot. ' It allows for solid game playing, high-intensity work with computer programs, and gives you a fair amount of memory. If you want to be a serious gamer, 16Gb might be your ideal setup.

What happens when you put incompatible RAM?

Incompatible or misconfigured ram will cause the computer to “lock up” with no warning. Because on consumer PCs there is no ECC for Ram modules it is imperative to try to use compatible memory according to the system or motherboard manufacturer.

Can mismatched RAM cause freezing?

Defective RAM can cause all sorts of problems. If you're suffering from frequent crashes, freezes, reboots, or Blue Screens of Death, a bad RAM chip could be the cause of your travails. If these annoyances tend to happen when you're using a memory-intensive application or game, bad RAM is a very likely culprit.

Is 1 TB RAM overkill?

With 1TB of RAM, you could buffer dozens or even hundreds of videos (on YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, and other sites) ahead of time to play at your leisure. Normally this is a bad idea, because loading data from virtual RAM to physical RAM is slow. But if you have 1TB of RAM, this won't ever be a problem for you.

Is 64GB RAM too much for gaming?

For gamers, 64GB is certainly overkill: 16GB will be fine for new title releases in the near future. It's what else is on your PC hoovering up the memory that might require it. Browsers can eat up several gigs, particularly if you have a bunch of tabs open and extensions loaded.

Is 16GB RAM overkill for gaming?

16GB. 16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for playing most games and will provide a noticeable increase in performance from 8GB. You will also be able to run applications in the background without affecting gameplay.

How do I know which RAM to buy?

From the Windows Start menu, search for System Information on your computer and open the app. Under System Summary, you will find your Processor. Using this information, search for your specific processor on the manufacturer website to see what RAM is compatible with your processor.

Can you mix DDR4 RAM speeds?

You can use memory modules of different speeds as long as they are faster than those specified for your computer. It is recommended to use modules of the same speed as those already installed in your system. If you do mix speeds, the modules will all run at the speed of your slowest modules.

What happens if you put DDR3 RAM in a DDR4 motherboard?

All RAM isn't the same and DDR3 and DDR4 can't be used interchangeably. You can't insert a DDR3 RAM stick into a DDR4 slot because it's not backward-compatible. The stick won't fit into the slot and, even if you did get it wedged in there somehow, your motherboard won't recognize the format.