If you want to expand your working memory, it is important that you buy exactly the right modules. We tell you how to change ram and what all the specifications mean exactly. After that, your PC will perform faster than ever before.
Your PC needs RAM (random access memory) to run the processes in your computer. It can be difficult to know exactly what type of ram you need and what the differences are between all kinds of ram types. That is why we take a closer look at everything around memory.
Your computer needs two forms of memory to function: fixed storage and ram. Fixed storage is, for example, your internal SSD drive, an external hard drive or a DVD. The data is written here to be accessible for a longer period of time.
This type of memory is also called non-volatile memory. If the power supply is interrupted, the data will still be there.
That’s how ram works
The counterpart of volatile memory is ram, the internal memory. If you restart your PC, your ram will be available for other processes again. Suppose you have 8 GB of internal memory in your PC. In principle, this is fully available as soon as you switch on your PC.
First the operating system is started, which in most cases takes 1 to 2 GB of your ram. Every open program also puts some data in memory. When you close a program, this space becomes available for other things.
Types of memory
Each motherboard needs a different kind of memory. There are many sizes and dimensions and within each format there are also many differences. Your computer is often very strict about this, a wrong ram strip does not physically fit in your motherboard or is not recognized by your operating system.
There used to be dram and sram. Dram (dynamic ram) is a very inexpensive memory and is most commonly used in computers and smartphones. SRAM (static ram) is much faster and therefore much more expensive. It is mainly used for CPU caches where it usually revolves around megabytes rather than gigabytes.
Sdram stands for synchronous dram and is a type of memory optimized for computers. Of course there are also different types of sdram, ddr is a term that you often see. Ddr stands for double data rate synchronous dram. We have now arrived at generation 4, which is why you often encounter DDR4.
Lpddr4 means that it also uses little power, hence the addition of lp (low power). We only find this in laptops, where power consumption is important.
The downside to lpddr is that it is always slower than normal ddr and therefore there is little need to install this in a desktop. At lpddr4 we are actually talking about low power double data synchronous dynamic random access memory 4.
In addition to the type of memory, the format is also important. Desktop PCs mainly use dimm modules (dual in-line memory module). These are strips with a 288 pin connector that you click into the motherboard of your PC.
Incidentally, dimm modules used to have fewer connectors. For example, Ddr2 memory has a 240pin connector. We’re talking memory bars for desktops here. The mobile version of a dimm is called so-dimm (small outline dimm).
Ddr4 for laptops has a 260pin connector and is smaller to fit in a laptop. Incidentally, it may be that the memory in your laptop is soldered to the motherboard. In that case it is not possible to change your internal memory.
What type of memory do I need?
If you want to know what type of memory is built into your computer, you can find it quite easily. In Windows 10 press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click Task management. Go to the tab Performance and click on the left Memory. At the top right you can see how much memory is installed. Sometimes the type is also stated here. If nothing is shown here, you can assume that you have ddr4 in your system.
You can find the speed of your memory at the bottom at the back Speed. If the speed is 2133 MHz or more, it can only be a DDR4. Ddr3 is characterized by a speed from 1066 MHz to 1600 MHz.
On an Apple computer, click on the Apple logo at the top left and choose About this Mac. Behind Memory you can see what type of memory is installed.
Capacity and speed
Ddr4 is available in different sizes. By size we mean capacity. The largest DDR module can accommodate 64 GB, the smallest are often 2 GB. In most computers you have to install memory in pairs, it is useful to use memory with the same specifications (and if possible from the same brand).
In many cases the installation of two strips of, for example, 4 GB is also more convenient than one strip of 8 GB, this improves the throughput speed. Each memory bar has a certain speed, which is expressed in megahertz (MHz).
Ddr4 starts at 1600 MHz and goes up to 3200 MHz. Some websites do not use MHz speeds in classifying, but use the prefix pc4 and multiply the number of MHz by eight. So if you see pc4-25600 somewhere, it means that it is a ddr4 with a speed of 3200 MHz.
Buying Ram: What else to pay attention to?
If you want to order memory online, there are often a number of specifications with a module. These are not very important, but it is still interesting to know what these terms mean. You often see the term non-ecc popping up. This stands for error code correction. A motherboard can ask to use (or refuse) only ecc memory. This is all described in the specifications of your motherboard.
Another term you will come across is buffered or registered. Registered memory is sometimes referred to as rdimm and is more expensive than unregistered memory (udimm). Then there is the cl value, which stands for column address strobe latency. The cl value is displayed in nanoseconds. A lower value means that the delay is less. You have to take this with a grain of salt, because the delay also depends on the clock speed.
The terms x8 and x16 are related to data bandwidth, x8 is much more common than x16. Then there is the so-called memory rank, this can be single, dual or quadrank and indicates how the memory is installed on the chip. Ram manufacturer Crucial refers to this as 1rx4, 2rx4 or 2rx8.
Build in!
Do you want to change ram yourself and are you sure you can have bought the correct working memory? Then you can start installing it. Before changing the internal memory of your computer or laptop, it is important that you discharge yourself statically.
This can be done with an anti-static mat or bracelet of which you tie one side around your wrist and attach the other side to an earthed element, such as a computer case. If you are not grounded, a static shock can cause you to ruin the components in your computer.
How you change the memory differs per computer. With most desktop computers, however, you press with both hands on both plastic clips that hold the memory. The memory comes up a little bit and you can take it right out.
You then put the new memory in its place. You read: the actual exchange of ram is not that complicated. But finding the right memory is a bit of a job. Hopefully this article helped you on your way.
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