How to Upgrade Your Laptop or Desktop RAM for Enhanced Gaming Performance

Upgrading your laptop or desktop RAM can significantly enhance your gaming performance. First, it's important to identify the type of RAM options you have available on your system. Some laptops use soldered-in RAM, while others may have SO-DIMM slots that you can upgrade. Despite being a small upgrade, it can make a big impact on system performance.

Identifying Your RAM Options

There are several types of RAM options available:

Soldered-in RAM SO-DIMM (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module) Dell CAMM1 CAMM2 (Coming Soon)

If your laptop uses soldered-in RAM, it is not upgradeable, and this is typically the case with low-end models and Apple MacBooks since 2013. Modern laptops often have loose SO-DIMM slots or Dell’s CAMM1 CAMM2 ports, making it feasible to upgrade the RAM. When you have SO-DIMM slots, checking if any slots are free is a crucial step before proceeding with an upgrade.

Getting the Right RAM

Before you start the upgrade process, ensure that your operating system is compatible with an RAM upgrade. You can access your computer's basic information by pressing Ctrl Alt Del and selecting Task Manager. From there, look for the Performance tab to check the current RAM usage.

Alternatively, you can use online tools to help you determine the appropriate RAM for your system. Crucial, a major RAM retailer, provides a free tool you can use. Start by visiting Crucial’s website and clicking on Scan Computer. You can either run the scan on your current machine or manually select the manufacturer and model if you want to upgrade a different computer.

Scanning Your Computer with Crucial

Open the Crucial website on the computer you want to upgrade. Click the Scan Computer button (found under a section with a similar name). If you don't want to upgrade the current computer, select the specific make and model to scan manually. Agree to the terms and click Scan my computer. Once the scanning tool is downloaded, launch the file and click Yes to allow it to run. Scroll down to the Memory section to view the current RAM usage and the maximum possible capacity. Click the Max-Out Memory section to see the highest configuration possible. This will guide you on what to replace or add for optimal RAM usage. Purchase compatible RAM modules from a tech store or online retailer, ensuring they meet the necessary specifications for your needs, such as DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4, and confirming they have the right pin count. For standard computer use, 6-16 GB of RAM is sufficient. However, for advanced software like 3D modeling, consider 32 GB of RAM.

Installing RAM on a Laptop or Desktop

Once you have the compatible RAM, you can start the installation process. For laptops follow these steps:

Turn off the computer. Unplug any cables or attachments. Ground yourself to prevent static electricity. Remove the laptop's bottom panel. Remove the original RAM, if present. Remove the new RAM from its protective casing. Install the new RAM cards by aligning the notches and pressing them firmly into the slots. Replace the bottom panel and turn on the laptop.

For desktops, follow these steps:

Turn off the computer. Unplug any cables or attachments. Ground yourself. Open the computer case. Remove existing RAM if necessary. Remove the new RAM from its protective casing. Insert the new RAM into the designated slot. Close the computer case and power it on.

Using a USB Drive as RAM

If you are constrained by 4 GB of RAM or less, you can use a USB drive as additional RAM through the Windows ReadyBoost feature. However, this method is only suitable for limited scenarios:

Plug the USB drive into your computer. Open Start. Open File Explorer. Select your USB drive in the File Explorer window. Click Computer and then Properties. Click the ReadyBoost tab. Check the Use this device for ReadyBoost checkbox and select the appropriate storage option. Click Apply and OK.

ReadyBoost only activates when needed and is not useful with systems that already have more than 4 GB of RAM. It is especially useful with solid-state drives (SSD) as the latter provides faster access. Remember to repeat the setup process whenever you need to use the USB drive as RAM again.

Conclusion

Upgrading your RAM can significantly boost your gaming performance. By identifying the right RAM options, scanning your system, purchasing compatible upgrades, and installing them correctly, you can achieve optimal performance. Whether you're gaming on a laptop or a desktop, the steps outlined above will guide you through the process efficiently. Ensuring your RAM is up to date is a crucial step in enhancing your overall computing experience.