Random Access Memory (RAM) is an important component in gaming systems. Increasing the RAM capacity can enhance the system’s responsiveness as well as the frame rate. You will discover more about how RAM works, how to discover suitable modules, and how much memory you really need to perform by reading this article.
How Does Ram Work?
The job of RAM is to store short-term data that your computer needs to run properly. This is different from a hard drive or solid-state drive that stores data indefinitely. This is because RAM memory resets each time the system is started.
RAM is referred to as “volatile memory”. This means that it only stores data while it is powered. This is completely different than with “non-volatile” HDDs or SSDs. Programs are transferred to RAM as long as they are used, but are permanently stored on the mass storage disk (until you delete them).
In order for your computer to run programs or perform tasks, it needs quick access to temporary data. For example, modern computer games need to recover graphics resources rapidly. Games read and write data to RAM because it is incomparably faster than extracting data from a storage device.
Which Ram Is Compatible With Your Motherboard?
Before you think about the capacity and frequency of your RAM, it would be a good idea to check its compatibility with your motherboard and CPU. The wrong type of modules simply will not work, while RAM with the wrong specifications for your PC may be performing below expectations.
Module Type
RAM is available in cubes or memory modules that plug into memory slots on the motherboard. If the RAM is incompatible with your system, it will either not fit or work incorrectly.
Motherboards in modern computers support DDR4 RAM. Do not confuse DDR4 with DDR3, which is the previous generation of SDRAM. They are not interchangeable. For example, you won’t be able to convert 8 GB DDR3 to 16 GB DDR4.
DDR4 and SDRAM
Computers use SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), which is a type of RAM. “Synchronous’ ‘ DRAM is in sync with the frequency of the processor. Over time, SDRAM has been refined and offers benefits such as lower power consumption, faster transfer speed, and more stable data transmission.
DDR4 SDRAM is the current standard for modern computers. DDR4 stands for “Double Data Rate 4”. It is the fourth generation of DDR technology to replace SDR SDRAM. How is DDR4 different from its predecessor? Bigger data transmission rate, higher capacity, and lower voltage.
If you’re building a new computer or upgrading your RAM on a relatively new system, you’ll likely be dealing with the current DDR4 SDRAM standard.
Why is DDR4 not backward compatible? As it has a different rhythm, voltage, and a number of plugs, these are only some of the reasons. To avoid accidental installation, the key cutout for DDR4 modules is located behind a different pin than that of DDR3 modules. This ensures that it cannot be inserted into the slot intended for its predecessor.
There are several simple ways to find compatible memory. Check your system or processor documentation, run a system profiling utility, or use an online memory compatibility utility.
Construction Standard
Ankle DIMM (ang. Dual in-line memory module) is a higher RAM module and is designed for desktop motherboards.
SO-DIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) are smaller modules designed for laptops, Intel® NUC minicomputers, and some small mini-ITX motherboards.
Important RAM Specifications
Capacity: expressed in gigabytes (GB). The higher the capacity, the more data applications can store. With higher capacities, it is possible to run more applications simultaneously. In addition, games are able to store more temporary data.
Speed: Expressed in mega transfers per second (MT / s). However, it is often taken as the speed measured in megahertz (MHz), although this is a different measure than the clock speed. Higher speed ratios mean faster response times to read and write requests, resulting in higher performance.
How Much Ram Do I Need To Play?
It depends. Are you planning to focus only on gaming or are you still looking to stream and multitask?
The basis for AAA titles is considered to be 8 GB. However, it’s worth remembering that RAM requirements are increasing. For example, 12 GB of RAM is recommended for optimal performance in Red Dead Redemption 2, while Half-Life: Alyx requires a minimum of 12 GB. So if you want to play new releases for a long time, 16 GB of RAM is recommended.
Or if games are just part of your plans, consider 32 GB. This capacity gives you the freedom to stream live, group Discord chats, and use YouTube or Twitch in the background.
If your budget is high enough and you need more RAM capacity (e.g. for 3D modeling or other professional applications), Windows 10 Home and the latest Intel® Core ™ i9 processor support up to 128 GB. See “Maximum Memory Capacity” in your processor’s memory specifications.
What Ram Speed Will I Need?
Find the right balance between capacity and speed. Chances are, you won’t be comfortable with both 32 GB of slow RAM and 4 GB of fast RAM.
- DDR4 RAM speeds start at around 1600MHz, however, these speeds are considered low by current standards. For example, the Intel® Core ™ i9-10900 processor supports 2933 MHz in the inventory specifications.
- High-speed RAM has advantages in terms of gaming. The effect may not be as overwhelming as with a CPU or GPU upgrade, but faster RAM can improve game performance and framerate.
This performance improvement varies from game to game – while you see a significant quality leap for some titles, it will have a minor impact on others. Before making an upgrade, it’s a good idea to check the benchmarks for the average frame rate and see if it’s worth making the modifications.
In addition to increasing the frame rate, faster RAM can improve frame times or frame rate stability. In comparative tests, it is expressed as low values of 1% and 0.1% (average of the slowest 1% and 0.1% of recorded frames). Frame rate is just one area of system performance that can be improved by faster RAM. Another is faster startup times.
