ADD MORE MEMORY
Why you should upgrade your PC’S memory
It’s a common misconception that adding more memory – or RAM – will instantly make your PC faster. In fact, it’s a little more complicated than that.
Your computer’s system memory is basically your PC’S workspace, so the more memory you have, the more space you’ll have to work. When you use your PC, every program you have running (including background processes), every file you have open and every tab in your browser takes up a bit of memory. When your PC runs out of physical memory, Windows resorts to using a portion of your hard drive as virtual memory. But hard drives are much slower at reading and writing data than RAM, so at this point your computer’s performance will nosedive.
Adding more RAM can help prevent your PC from ever having to resort to using virtual memory, meaning you can run lots of programs at the same time, keep loads of tabs open in your browser and work on lots of large files – high-resolution photos, for example, or videos – all without having to worry about them affecting your PC’S performance. Furthermore, adding more memory will allow your current PC to cope with more demanding programs and larger file sizes in future.
How much memory do you need?
Windows 10 requires only 2GB of RAM to run, but this really is the absolute bare minimum needed to scrape by. We’d suggest 4GB at the very least and more if your PC supports it. 8GB is a decent amount of memory to have these days and, depending on your computer, you may be able to upgrade further still. However, unless you play lots of games or edit lots of video, you’re unlikely to yield much benefit from having more than 16GB of RAM installed.
What do you need to know before upgrading?
Physically installing new memory is actually pretty straightforward, as we explain on page 52. The most complicated bit is likely to be working out how much memory your computer can hold and which type of modules to buy.
The first thing to do is check how much memory you currently have installed and establish which system you have. Open File Explorer, right-click This PC then select Properties. Under ‘Installed memory (RAM)’ in the System Properties window, you’ll see how much memory you have, and under ‘System type’ it’ll tell you whether your PC is running a 32bit or 64bit version of Windows.
Sadly, the 32bit version is limited to using a maximum of 4GB of RAM, much lower than the 64bit’s theoretical maximum of 2TB. If your system type is listed as having a 32bit processor and an x64 based processor (see screenshot below left), you could consider upgrading your copy of Windows to 64bit, which might let you install more memory. Upgrading Windows 10 from 32bit to 64bit is free, but requires a clean installation – meaning you’d need to back up all your files and effectively reinstall Windows 10 from scratch. Before you embark on such a task, however, we’d recommend establishing how much memory your PC’S motherboard supports, because this can be another limiting factor.
One way to uncover this information is to do a little detective work using a free tool called CPU-Z ( www.cpuid.com), which was recently updated to support the latest Intel processors. It gathers lots of useful information about the internal workings of your PC, including its processor, motherboard, memory and more. There’s also a portable version of CPU-Z (meaning you don’t have to install anything) – download the ZIP file rather than the Exe file, then extract its contents and run the correct version (x32 or x64) for your system type.
Run CPU-Z, then click the Mainboard tab. Type the manufacturer name and model number listed here (see screenshot above) into Google and, in most cases, you should find a link to the specifications of your motherboard. This will list information about the memory your motherboard supports, including the maximum amount you can install.
Buying memory
Frustratingly, there are numerous other factors you need to take into account before you actually buy new modules for your PC. The type you need ( DDR2, DDR3 or DDR4), the correct speed (1600MHZ, 2400MHZ and so on), the type of module (usually DIMMS for desktop PCS or SODIMMS for laptops), the number of slots your PC has, and more.
Between the online motherboard specifications and CPU-Z (check the Memory tab), you should be able to find all the information you need. But, frankly, it’s a bit of a hassle. So, instead, you could
just run the automated scanner on Crucial’s website, which tells you exactly what sort of memory you need.
Go to http://uk.crucial.com, click Scan Computer, then download and run the tool. The results will appear in your web browser. On the left you’ll see how many memory slots your PC has and how much memory is currently occupying them (see screenshot right). And on the right, you’ll see a list of memory modules that are compatible with your PC.
Crucial is a memory manufacturer and reseller, but don’t feel obliged to buy your memory upgrade from its online store. Instead, note down the specifications of the compatible memory modules shown – ‘DDR3-1600 unbuffered NON-ECC DIMM’, for example – and then look for similar products on other websites to compare prices. Amazon, www.scan.co. uk and www.mrmemory.co.uk are among the other places we recommend.
Buying more memory is usually a cost-effective upgrade, but prices can vary quite a bit, depending on the type of RAM you need and the amount you want to install. Expect to pay anything between £50-£80 for 8GB.
How to install memory
RAM modules are typically installed in matched pairs – if your System Properties reports 2GB of installed memory, for example, this may well turn out to be two 1GB modules when you carry out the Crucial scan. RAM is often sold in pairs too, and it’s usually cheaper to buy an 8GB ‘kit’ that includes two 4GB modules than it is to buy separate single modules.
Depending on how many memory slots your PC has, you may be able to add to your existing RAM or you may need to replace what’s already installed with new modules. If the Crucial scanner shows you have four slots, for example, and two of these are currently empty, you can just buy a matching pair of modules to fit into the empty slots. But if it shows only two slots and these are both occupied, then you’ll need to remove the existing RAM and replace them both with a matching pair of higher-capacity modules.
Recently, a number of memory manufacturers have started producing RAM modules that come encased in their own heatsinks to keep them cool, but these aren’t really necessary unless you’re planning to overclock your PC. Plain old circuit board-type modules will be fine for most users and are often cheaper.
Upgrade memory in a desktop PC
Check our safety advice before you begin (see box on page 50), then open your PC’S case – the precise instructions for doing this will depend on your make and model, but you’ll usually find that the side panel is held in place by screws on the rear of your computer. Unscrew these and the side panel should slide out.
Memory slots are usually easy to spot; they’re long, thin slots on the motherboard itself, usually in rows of two or four and often adjacent to the processor. Each slot has a pair of plastic retaining clips – one at either end – which lock the modules in place. If you need to remove existing RAM first, press down firmly but gently on the clips to release the module (see image below left). You should hear a click. Now grip the module on the top and pull it out of the slot.
When it comes to installing new RAM, release the retaining clips before inserting your modules. Memory modules will only fit one way round – you’ll see a small notch cut into the electrical contacts on the bottom edge of the module. This needs to be lined up with the corresponding grooves in the slots on the motherboard (see image below).
Once it’s oriented correctly, press the module into the slot firmly, making sure it’s seated securely and evenly. The retaining clips will usually snap back into place automatically as you press the module in fully, but on some PCS you may need to manually press the clips back to their original position.
As mentioned earlier, memory is usually installed in matched pairs. If your PC
only has two memory slots, installation is straightforward – simply replace the existing modules with the new ones. But if your motherboard has four slots, you may need to take care which slots you insert your modules into.
Pairs of modules should be installed into corresponding paired slots. Pairings are usually indicated in some way on the slots themselves – they may be different colours, for example, or they may be separated into two separate rows. If your existing pair of 1GB modules is installed in slots of one colour, your new pair must be installed into slots of the other colour.
When you’ve finished, close the case and start your PC. Open the System Properties window to check that your new amount of memory is showing correctly under ‘Installed memory (RAM)’.
Upgrade memory in a laptop
Not all laptops allow memory upgrades, such as Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, which comes with a fixed amount of RAM. In most cases, however, installing new modules into a laptop works in a very similar way to a desktop PC, with a few notable differences.
You need to open a compartment on the underside of your device – this is usually covered by a plastic hatch that’s screwed in (see image above). The precise location of the memory compartment varies, and there may be several removable sections on the underside, so dig out your instructions or refer to the manufacturer’s website.
Given their smaller size, laptop motherboards tend to limit themselves to two memory slots, rather than four. Modules are often held in place by metal or plastic clips on either side. To remove existing modules, release the clips by gently pushing them outward – the module should pop up at a 45-degree angle, or you may need to lift it up. Once it’s free of the clip, gently pull the module out of the slot.
Insert each module by aligning the notch on the lower connectors with the corresponding one in the slot itself, then push the module firmly and evenly into the slot at a 45-degree angle. Once it’s in place, press the module down so that it is flush with the motherboard (the clips will click the module into place). Repeat the process for the other module, then replace the cover and start your laptop.