Does your laptop feel slow with apps freezing and tabs constantly reloading? In this situation, you may prefer upgrading your laptop’s RAM. Many people think a RAM upgrade is a quick and cheap fix. It’s better than buying a brand-new machine.
Should you upgrade laptop RAM? Is it worth it? Let’s check it out.
What is RAM and How Does It Work?
Before deciding to upgrade your laptop RAM, know what it is and what it does.
Random Access Memory is known as RAM. Basically, it’s your laptop’s short-term memory. It saves the information your system needs right now, like open apps or active browser tabs.
More RAM means more room for the data your laptop uses often. Less RAM means your laptop runs out of room faster and has to constantly swap data in and out. And your laptop does that usually to and from a slower storage drive.
So, insufficient RAM causes lag, stutters, and poor multitasking.
Signs Your Laptop Requires More RAM
Is your laptop’s low RAM holding your potential back? Well, some signs can tell if your laptop requires a RAM upgrade. Before you check out how to upgrade your laptop, here are the signs you can’t ignore:
- Apps keep loading slowly or crashing unexpectedly.
- Your laptop exhibits ‘Not Responding’ errors or loading wheels more often.
- Your laptop struggles with more than a few tabs open.
- System performance tanks when you use Excel, Zoom, Photoshop, etc. apps.
- Games or editing software won’t run smoothly or at all.
Usually, all those signs point to a shortage of memory. If you are using Windows 11 or macOS Ventura with only 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM, you are likely pushing your limits.
How Much RAM Does Your Laptop Need?
Your laptop’s RAM needs depend on the tasks you do often. Here’s what you should know about your laptop’s requirements for a RAM module:
4GB
That’s the bare minimum a laptop should have. A 4GB RAM is OK for word processing, email, and very basic tasks. However, a RAM of only 4GB is very little for modern use.
8GB
Better than 4GB, a RAM module of 8GB is standard for most users. You can enjoy browsing, office apps, video calls, and light multitasking with such a RAM size. Still, you may experience some lag while using resource-heavy applications. If you are into multitasking, then you might be interested in how to upgrade laptop RAM from 4GB to 8GB.
16GB
For professionals, 16GB RAM modules are perfect. Indeed, they are ideal for remote workers, gamers, creatives, and coders. Undoubtedly, a 16GB RAM module has plenty of room for multitasking.
32GB and More
Such RAM modules are needed for 3D modelling, pro video editing, or virtual machines.
If you use 4GB or 8GB RAM and multitask often, an upgrade can be game-changing. Before you proceed to an upgrade, examine your system with a laptop upgrade checker. If your device already has 16GB and still struggles, RAM might not be the issue.
Will a Laptop RAM Upgrade Make a Difference?
Well, you can see a real difference only if RAM is your bottleneck. For most laptops, especially older models, more RAM leads to:
- Faster app launches.
- Less freezing and crashing.
- Better browser performance.
- Smoother multitasking.
- A longer usable lifespan for the laptop.
However, you might not want to upgrade laptop RAM if your machine has 8GB or more. In fact, the improvement may be marginal. In that case, your laptop’s processor, storage drive, or thermal issues can cause slowdowns.
When Not to Upgrade Laptop RAM
Upgrading your laptop’s RAM may help you improve performance to some extent. However, not all slowdowns can be fixed with more RAM or an upgrade. Here are cases where RAM alone won’t make much difference:
- You already have 8GB or 16GB of RAM and don’t use heavy consumption apps.
- Your laptop’s CPU is outdated or under powered.
- Your laptop still uses a traditional hard disk drive, which slows everything down.
- The RAM module is soldered and can’t be upgraded.
- You have malware or background bloat taht eats system resources.
You can check your RAM usage by opening Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS). In case your system consistently hits 80 to 100% RAM usage, an upgrade can help.
Can You Upgrade Laptop RAM?
Check if your laptop can upgrade its memory before you start. Many older or mid-range laptops allow RAM upgrades. Typically, they have removable panels and visible RAM slots.
Brands like HP, Lenovo, Asus, and Dell often offer upgradable RAM in their business and gaming laptops.
So, you can’t upgrade laptop RAM for newer laptops and ultrabooks. Devices such as the Microsoft Surface, MacBook Air, and slim Windows ultrabooks often come with soldered RAM. They are built into the motherboard and hence cannot be replaced or upgraded.
How can you be sure of whether your laptop permits a RAM upgrade? Well, you can check your laptop’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website. Also, you can use laptop upgrade checker tools, such as:
- CPU-Z (Windows).
- About This Mac → System Report (macOS).
- Crucial System Scanner, and more.
These can help you find out if your laptop’s RAM can be upgraded and what type you need for better performance.
Is It Safe to Upgrade Laptop RAM on Your Own?
DIY RAM upgrades are quite safe if you’re tech-savvy and feel confident using the right tools. Most laptops with upgradable RAM offer easy access through a back panel.
How to upgrade laptop RAM from 4GB to 8GB? Before you make up your mind for an upgrade, make sure you have the following tools:
- The right RAM module (DDR4 or DDR5, correct speed and voltage).
- A small screwdriver.
- An anti-static wrist strap.
Once you arrange those things, you can continue with the following steps:
- Disconnect and switch off your computer.
- Next, refer to the user manual to learn how you can open the back panel. Be careful while dismantling your laptop.
- Afterwards, remove the old RAM.
- Insert new RAM into the designated slot firmly.
- Reassemble the laptop and boot up.
Additionally, you can find plenty of step-by-step tutorials online for specific laptop models. So, you can search for your laptop’s model, plus ‘RAM upgrade’.
If you are unsure or uncomfortable, contact Atdoorstep for an expert upgrade.
Is Upgrading RAM Worth It?
So, should you upgrade laptop RAM? Here’s the honest answer.
You can consider a RAM upgrade if:
- Your laptop supports the upgrade.
- The machine has 4GB or 8GB of RAM.
- You are more into multitasking or using memory-heavy applications.
However, a RAM upgrade isn’t possible if:
- RAM is not the culprit behind system slowdowns.
- Your system already has 16GB+ of RAM.
- The RAM module is soldered to the laptop’s motherboard and is not upgradable.
To be honest, a RAM upgrade can’t fix every single laptop performance issue. Still, if it’s possible, a RAM upgrade is one of the most cost-effective ways to enhance laptop performance.
Final Tips Before You Upgrade Laptop RAM
Is your laptop ready for the RAM upgrade? Before you upgrade laptop RAM, you need to take care of a few things:
- Check your RAM and laptop compatibility. So, you don’t end up purchasing the wrong type.
- Look up your exact laptop model to know whether it supports an upgrade.
- Additionally, use trusted RAM brands, such as Kingston, Samsung, Crucial, Corsair, etc.
- Ensure you back up your data.
- For a complete performance refresh, pair a RAM upgrade with an SSD.
Keep in mind, upgrading the RAM won’t make your 2015 laptop into a 2025 powerhouse. However, your laptop can be usable again.
Get in Touch with Atdoorstep for a Complete Laptop Solution!
If your laptop is slow, get Atdoorstep technicians to check if a RAM upgrade or other fixes can help. Give Atdoorstep’s best laptop repair services a try before you make up your mind to toss the device.
