Why is memory capacity important, when is it worth adding more and how much should you have on your computer?
Let’s take a look at what to follow
As is usual with computer hardware, each user needs a slightly different configuration. It depends on what the PC is used for – games are played on it, it is just surfed, used for work, for video editing, photo processing…?
And this depends not only on what processor should be used but also on how much memory and what kind is needed (its speed, response, etc.). Computers used today should generally be equipped with 4 to 32 GB.
4 GB of RAM is enough to run Windows 10 or Windows 11 efficiently and use basic applications such as web browsers, word processors and spreadsheets. This amount of RAM is included with most low-cost laptops. It is no longer advisable to go below this limit today.
But be aware that with just 4 GB of RAM, you won’t do much. It’s really the bare minimum for running Windows and running a few applications at once, and you’ll definitely not be thrilled with how slow everything is and how long it takes to switch between tasks. The direct ratio here is that the more open applications, the more it will affect the response of the computer.
This is because 4 GB of RAM is generally not enough for effective multitasking. Keep in mind that such Windows 10 will take up at least 2 GB of RAM. Chrome OS (the system on which Chromebooks run) allocates much less. Therefore, computers with this system do not need as much memory for their operation (8 GB is sufficient for smooth running).
How much RAM is needed for normal work
If you plan to use a laptop for work, there should be a minimum of 8 GB of RAM for you. This is because using a variety of productivity and multitasking applications with many bookmarks open in a web browser is your daily bread. And this requires much more than just the basic 4 GB needed for Windows to work properly.
Note: RAM (Random Access Memory)
is an important part of every computer, laptop, desktop, even smartphone, tablet and other device. It provides all of them with short-term memory or the system or firmware that powers it. This storage is much faster than a classic hard disk drive (HDD) or SSD, and the system uses this memory not only for its operation but also for running programs and thus various tasks. It is deleted when the computer is turned off.
How much RAM is needed for normal work
If you plan to use a laptop for work, there should be a minimum of 8 GB of RAM for you. This is because using a variety of productivity and multitasking applications with many bookmarks open in a web browser is your daily bread. And this requires much more than just the basic 4 GB needed for Windows to work properly.
Illustration photo – RAM | photo: Corsair, Creative Commons
As is usual with computer hardware, each user needs a slightly different configuration. It depends on what the PC is used for – games are played on it, it is just surfed, used for work, for video editing, photo processing…? And this depends not only on what processor should be used but also on how much memory and what kind is needed (its speed, response, etc.). Computers used today should generally be equipped with 4 to 32 GB.
4 GB of RAM is enough to run Windows 10 or Windows 11 efficiently and use basic applications such as web browsers, word processors and spreadsheets. This amount of RAM is included with most low-cost laptops. It is no longer advisable to go below this limit today.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is an important part of every computer, laptop, desktop, even smartphone, tablet and other device. It provides all of them with short-term memory or the system or firmware that powers it.
This storage is much faster than a classic hard disk drive (HDD) or SSD, and the system uses this memory not only for its operation but also for running programs and thus various tasks. It is deleted when the computer is turned off.
But be aware that with just 4 GB of RAM, you won’t do much. It’s really the bare minimum for running Windows and running a few applications at once, and you’ll definitely not be thrilled with how slow everything is and how long it takes to switch between tasks. The direct ratio here is that the more open applications, the more it will affect the response of the computer. This is because 4 GB of RAM is generally not enough for effective multitasking.
Keep in mind that such Windows 10 will take up at least 2 GB of RAM. Chrome OS (the system on which Chromebooks run) allocates much less. Therefore, computers with this system do not need as much memory for their operation (8 GB is sufficient for smooth running).
How much RAM is needed for normal work
If you plan to use a laptop for work, there should be a minimum of 8 GB of RAM for you. This is because using a variety of productivity and multitasking applications with many bookmarks open in a web browser is your daily bread.
And this requires much more than just the basic 4 GB needed for Windows to work properly. If you plan to edit photos or edit videos on your laptop, it’s a good idea to have at least 16 GB of RAM. This is because photo editing and video processing programs tend to require a lot of resources.
With just 8 GB of memory, you won’t be able to have anything else open while using these programs without compromising your computer’s performance. Additionally, you would not be able to edit videos above 1080p. In addition, if you frequently edit and render video or perform advanced graphics editing (which requires a lot of system resources), it is more than recommended to invest in 32 GB of RAM (preferably 64 GB).
In most cases, high-performance Windows laptops come with at least 8 GB of RAM and are often available in a configuration of 16 GB or more.
How much RAM is needed to play games
If your computer is to be used for gaming, 8 GB of RAM should suffice, however, it is recommended that it have 16 GB. This is because most modern games can run well enough with 8 GB, but some larger open-world games can then load longer or have to reach other locations during the game, resulting in an awkward wait while playing.
In addition, 16 GB of RAM ensures that you never have to worry about any performance issues in online games. If you want to play games and have many other browser tabs or applications open in the background, your PC must have 32 GB of RAM.
This is because 32 GB provides your system with enough memory to handle both the game and running cards in the background without any problems. In general, you will find better gaming laptops in stores with at least 8 GB of memory, and versions with 16 GB, 32 GB or more are almost always available.
How much memory is needed for what activity:
- 4 GB: lower-end laptops are sold with this quantity. However, this is a real minimum and you should choose them only if there is no money for a PC with more RAM.
- 8 GB: usually installed on entry-level laptops (sufficient for Chromebooks). These can be designed for both work and non-demanding games. However, they will quickly run out of breath.
- 16GB: Great for Windows and Mac OS, and for decent gaming, especially for fast RAM.
- 32 GB: a great choice for professionals. Players will be thrilled, the graphic designers and video editors will have enough power for everyday work.
- 64 GB and more: a top level that is used on powerful workstations for really demanding use.
How much RAM do you have
If you are not sure how much memory you currently have on your computer and you want to find out, you can do it very easily and quickly.
All you have to do is click on Start -> Settings -> System and click on About at the very bottom (or use the Windows + Pause Break keyboard shortcut).
A window will appear and you will find the entry Installed RAM.
So more is better?
Remember that more RAM doesn’t always mean better. If you have more memory than you use, it will no longer give you any performance advantage – it will only be inefficiently wasted money. Buy as much as you need. Instead, spend the rest of your budget on other components, such as a better CPU or graphics card.
How to handle memory
The general recommendation is to choose as much memory as you need. However, keep in mind that the operating system and web browser usually use the most memory. Thus, although some applications and games may use more than anything else combined.
There’s not much you can do to make Windows or Mac OS use less memory, but more memory on your computer means you can open more tabs in browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and so on). In addition, more complex sites use more RAM than others. For example, a simple website (without complicated elements and graphics) is relatively inexpensive, while services like Gmail or Netflix take a lot more.
The same goes for programs. Everyone is different. Some use very little RAM, others very much. For example, a huge Excel spreadsheet, a large Photoshop project, or a graphics-intensive game will use gigabytes of memory for themselves. So if you don’t need them right now – you don’t work in them – quit them.