Slow Computer? Then You Might Need To Upgrade Your RAM

Are you working on an older computer? It’s not a problem as long as you are browsing the internet or typical text documents. And an older laptop or desktop can still handle basic browsing. The problem happens when you are doing task-intensive projects. Running MS Office or Apple’s iMovie can spill out your computer’s actual age. You will notice that everything lags. The programs don’t open the way they used to 10 years ago, and this calls for a RAM upgrade.

Your computer RAM is your computer’s version of a work table. If the table is wide, then you can do many tasks on it. If it is narrow, then there is nothing much to do. As computers age, programs made for them demand powerful processing speed and memory. For example, older versions of MS Office can run on a computer with just 1 gigabyte. Thus, this is not going to work in 2020. It would be best if you made all your programs run smoothly with 8 gigabytes of RAM. And that is just a decent figure. Others incorporate at least 16 gigabytes of RAM to make tasks run faster. If you are into gaming, then 32 gigabytes of RAM makes a great gaming experience. Knowing RAM’s value to your computer performance, is it possible to buy anything in the market? The answer is no. It would be best if you remember several technological factors before upgrading your computer’s RAM.

Random Access Memory Compatibility Issue

Unlike some computer parts, RAM compatibility or random access memory should be considered before upgrading. For example, in the case of most Apple products, you can’t just get a RAM upgrade anytime. iMacs can have Ram upgrades but not so with other products like MacBooks Air and Pro. The reason is that the RAM, along with the processor, is soldered in the circuitry. There is no way to remove or replace them without the risk of doing severe damage to your computer. Other RAM products can only work with certain types of processors. So, before getting on a shopping spree, consider doing research. A quick search of computer forums will answer your questions. You can also look at YouTube videos dealing with the same issues.

A Question of Obsolescence

There are older computers that can still accommodate RAM upgrades. This is true with desktop computers. But, this is not the case with laptops. An ancient laptop might reject the kind of RAM that you want for it. In the end, it is better to save money for a new laptop than just buying a set of RAMs that will not work anyway. You need to remember that these are not cheap products, so consider your priorities before deciding on a RAM upgrade. Older computers have older graphics and processors, which means that even your new RAM could not work its magic on an old machine.

Choose A Trusted Brand

It is not enough to consider compatibility when it comes to your computer RAM. It would help if you also thought about the brand name. Getting RAM from a questionable dealer will present issues in the future. It might cost you more than the RAM. Products like Samsung, Crucial Ballistix, Vulcan Z, Corsair, and XPG are some of the most popular brands in the market today. Note that you also need to make sure that you are only doing an upgrade on a computer meant for work and not for gaming. Gaming computers have different requirements that need to be considered.

Installing the RAM

After purchasing your RAM online or from a computer store, you are now ready to have it installed. Make sure to read the specifications or warning before going through the process. This will save you a headache and money in the long run.

If you have computer repair skills, then you should be able to install the RAMs yourself. But, if you are not sure about the procedure, it is time to seek help from a computer technician. Desktop computers are easy to open and have the RAM installed in the RAM slots. Laptops can be tricky. There are laptop computers that need special attention because the procedure might be damaging. There are YouTube videos that will teach you how to install the Ram yourself.

Upgrading your RAM will surely boost the performance of your computer. But you also need to ensure that you are getting the product from a reputable source. It would be best if you even considered compatibility. If the product is not compatible with your computer, then you will just be wasting money. Lastly, you also need to consider if an upgrade is worth it. If your computer is too old for the current tasks you are doing, consider rewarding yourself with a new computer. You will save more money with a new one than sticking to your dying machine and end up spending large amounts of money.