How to choose RAM

RAM affects the speed of the computer. However, its wrong choice can lead to only a slight increase in productivity.

How to choose RAM: parameters that need to be considered

When choosing RAM, consider the following parameters:

1. The size of the bar is different for desktop system units and laptops;

2. Memory generation - it depends on the compatibility of the strap and the motherboard;

3. Clock speed memory - determines the performance of RAM;

4. Volume depending on the bitness of the installed operating system.

The most important are the first two parameters. The rest will need to be taken into account only if you want to ensure maximum performance or you can not reinstall the operating system.

The size of the strap (also known as standard)

Levels (cards) of RAM are available in two sizes - DIMM and SO-DIMM. The first one has a standard size and is intended for installation in desktop system blocks. The second is different in reduced dimensions and is used in laptops.

Thus, if you need RAM for a computer, you must select the type of DIMM. For a laptop - SO-DIMM.

They are not cross-compatible, so installing a notebook memory in a desktop system unit does not work, as well as vice versa.

Memory generation

From the generation of memory depends on the performance of the computer. In addition, due to the fact that the standards are not cross-compatible, it is necessary to choose the type of RAM that is supposed to be used with the existing motherboard.

DIMM standard memory is available in five standards:

1. DDR;

2. DDR2;

3. DDR3;

4. DDR3L;

5. DDR4.

Operating memory standard SO-DIMM generation DDR does not exist.

DDR (also known as DDR-400) is the very first generation of “standard” RAM. Because of its low speed, it was rather quickly pushed out of the market by the successor, DDR2, but it is not yet found in some very old computers.

You can find out what generation of RAM is supported by a computer, by marking the existing slats, the inscriptions on the motherboard, its documentation, and also using programs such as AIDA64.

However, it is worth remembering that generation determines compatibility. Therefore, installing DDR3 memory in a slot for DDR (or DDR4) will fail. As a result, if you need a serious upgrade of RAM, you will have to change the motherboard itself.

Clock frequency

The clock frequency of the RAM shows how fast it can work. The higher this parameter, the faster will be the reading and writing of information. However, the exact performance of the RAM depends on the clock frequency not of the bar itself, but of the bus on the motherboard, to which the RAM is connected.

Regarding the best memory - the one that runs on the frequency of the motherboard bus. You can find out this parameter using special programs, such as AIDA64.

In principle, nothing critical, if the frequency of the bus RAM of the motherboard and the RAM itself will not match, no.Of course, there will be a drop in performance, and in the direction of a smaller frequency value. It can spread to the entire bus, that is, even relatively fast strips will work slower if a slow bar is installed in one of the slots.

Therefore, it is still worth choosing the RAM whose frequency corresponds to the frequency of the motherboard bus.

Many models of motherboards are equipped with two RAM tires with different frequencies. This can be determined visually. If the slots for memory rails are painted in different colors, then there are really two tires. This is also important to consider when choosing RAM.

RAM size

The amount of RAM directly determines the speed of the computer. The bigger it is, the faster the operating system works.

However, it is worth considering that some operating systems are simply not designed for a large amount of RAM. So, if the system is 86-bit (or 32-bit, which is basically the same thing), then the maximum amount of RAM with which it can work is 4 GB. Even if you install more RAM on the motherboard, only 4 GB will still be active.

But 64-bit operating systems can work with a significantly larger amount of RAM (up to several TB). Therefore, it is important to take into account the bitness of the OS when choosing RAM and, if necessary, reinstall the system.

However, for "working" or "training" configurations, even 4 GB of RAM is enough. For greater performance, and even more gaming "machines", you will need at least 6 GB or even 8-16 GB.

Other options

When selecting RAM, you can also take into account other parameters that increase its speed or ergonomics:

Intel XPM Profile - Intel proprietary technology that significantly increases the performance of RAM in games;

Low profile configuration - the strips of such RAM have a lower height than usual, therefore they are suitable for installation in a narrow or ultra-compact system unit, as well as in a configuration with too many wires inside

The presence of a radiator - this structural element effectively removes heat from the memory chips, reducing the risk of throttling. Great for gaming.

The best manufacturers of RAM

Among the manufacturers of RAM, there are three companies: AMD, Kingston and Corsair.

1. Kingston is known primarily for low-end memory models. They provide optimum speed and at the same time differ in low price. Kingston has expensive models designed for use in gaming computers and server configurations. They are also very productive.

2. AMD releases primarily memory for gaming configurations. It is characterized by high performance and the implementation of the most modern technologies. However, in the models from AMD, there is practically no additional functionality like a radiator or a low-profile configuration.

3. Corsair also releases "gaming" RAM, only offering more advanced technology. For example, even relatively inexpensive models are equipped with radiators.

---

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.