If your old laptop feels lazy or your new system starts to slow down when more tabs are open, adding more RAM can solve the problem. If your computer does not have enough physical memory, it starts converting data to your hard drive or SSD, which is a very slow process (even with the slowest RAM chips). While not all modern laptops give you access to RAM, many do offer you a way to improve your memory.
If you can improve your portable computer memory, it will not cost you much money or time. From 4GB to 8GB of RAM (most common upgrades) usually costs between $25 and $55, depending on whether you need to replace the memory card or add a few more gigs. And the process of exchanging RAM chips should only take between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on how many screws you have to remove from the chassis.
Also check: Why Does My Laptop Battery Drain So Fast?
Here’s how to put one together for use with your computer memory.
1: Determine How much RAM you use
Low memory is often the cause of bottlenecks being blocked on any given computer and can lead to not only low performance but also stability problems.
If you are a dynamic user – doing multiple things in multiple deep applications or keeping 30 or more browser tabs open at once – additional memory may help your system work better.
You can check your laptop memory usage in Windows Task Manager. Just right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager. Then, in the Task Manager working tab, check how much memory is used in the available amount. You will also see how many memory spaces are active, and, therefore, how many are available to add additional memory.
You will get a more detailed view by clicking on the “Open Resource Monitor” option at the bottom of the task manager window and navigating to the Memory tab. Note: the screens will look slightly different under Windows 7 (the images below are from Windows 10).
If you are near or above the amount of physical memory, you know you need more.
2: Find out if you can improve
Unfortunately, many laptops have closed bottoms or memory sold on the motherboard; both conditions prevent you from upgrading RAM. (It is also possible that the system has a limited amount of RAM to see.) To find out if you can upgrade your RAM, try the Crucial’s Memory Advisor tool. After installing your product and a specific portable computer model, you should get a screen that shows the maximum amount of memory and how much space your laptop has.
Crucial also lists memory modules that you can purchase on your laptop. However, you can find similar DIMMs in other brands as well. Note the speed and type of RAM you need, which is usually DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4 with a certain speed next to it (eg, “DDR3 PC3-12800”).
3: Open the panel to find banks in your memory
With your extra memory in hand, it is time to improve your portable computer memory, a straightforward process. First, turn off the laptop and unplug the power adapter.
Next, open the bottom panel of your laptop that closes the memory banks. (Depending on your system, you may need to unplug the entire back of your laptop to access memory and other resources.)
4: Hold on to avoid electrostatic emissions
Before you touch any part of your PC, however, touch any metal part inside the computer (e.g., the back of a hard drive or the metal connector of another part). This will release any dry matter that may be harmful to your body.
5: Extract memory if necessary
Once all your memory gaps are full, you will need to remove the existing DIMMs to replace them. To remove a memory module, separate the clips that you hold in place. The memory module should appear at an angle.
Then, hold the memory module by its edges – without touching the gold connectors at the bottom, lift the module out.
6: Enter the new memory module (s)
Next, install new modules in your open spaces at a 45-degree angle, with gold edges facing down. Use equal pressure with your fingers on the top of the modules to push them into place. When you hear a click and you hear a DIMM enter the area, push the module firmly until it is flat and level, the clips holding it securely.
That’s all! Enable your laptop and go back to the System Information window or Task Manager to ensure that your new memory is added. Enjoy your improved memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add 8GB RAM to 4GB laptop?
You may be wondering if you can add 8GB of RAM to a laptop with 4GB of RAM. Yes, you certainly can! However, you must purchase and install the extra RAM yourself.
Can increasing RAM improve performance?
You may boost the speed at which memory sends information to other components by using faster RAM. That is, your fast CPU now has a rapid means of communicating with the other components, making your computer much more efficient.
How do you know if I can add RAM to my laptop?
Checking to see whether your laptop accepts extra RAM
You may use software such as Crucial System Scanner or CPU-Z to see whether your laptop supports more RAM. Both of these programs are free and provide information about your existing RAM as well as the presence of additional RAM slots in your laptop.
Will too much RAM hurt my computer?
Even if you have adequate RAM, adding too much will eventually threaten the computer’s performance. At some point, the additional RAM will begin to apply the law of diminishing returns, which means you won’t gain any benefit from it.
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