What is RAM needed for?
RAM is used as a temporary buffer for information processed by the processor or integrated graphics system. This is where the files and data of the programs that need to be executed are stored, as well as the textures displayed in the game.
Too little RAM is a common cause of computer freezes with a large number of tasks
In theory, the “more is better” principle works here. But, when choosing RAM, you should also pay attention to other parameters.
- Memory Type – Currently, the most popular type of RAM is the DDR4 standard, which offers higher performance, lower power demand and allows for larger capacities. However, some laptops still have older DDR3 modules or low voltage DDR3L modules. Different types of memory are not compatible with each other, and modules for a desktop computer (DIMM type) are not suitable for a laptop (SO-DIMM type). Additionally, most compact designs have RAM soldered to the motherboard, making it impossible to replace.
- Memory parameters - clock speed and latency affect memory performance (for example, CL17 memory at 2133 MHz will be slower than CL15 at 2666 MHz). However, it is worth noting that not every laptop is capable of using faster modules.
- Memory Mode – Most laptops available are based on processors that have a dual-channel RAM controller. Using dual-channel mode allows you to use the full potential of the RAM subsystem, which leads to increased performance in games and applications. However, it is worth remembering that in this configuration all memory slots are often occupied and upgrading the system requires replacing both modules.
The amount and parameters of RAM must be adapted to the use of the laptop. Some requirements will apply to a laptop used for browsing the Internet, others to an effective gaming model, and others to a mobile workstation for professional applications.
Difference from other characteristics
Standard RAM should not be confused with video memory, but the two concepts are closely related to computer graphics cards. High-performance 3D games rely on video memory (VRAM), often expressed as GDDR5, while standard memory is called RAM or DDR3. In fact, most manufacturers are very good at identifying VRAM and not confusing it with other parameters. Therefore, to determine how much RAM is needed for GTA 5, for example, you need to consider both of the above indicators together.
How much RAM does a home laptop have?
A home laptop is the cheapest device used for basic tasks such as surfing the Internet, watching movies, or using a word processor. It's not demanding, so this laptop doesn't have to be too efficient.
However, in a modern laptop the absolute minimum is 4 GB of RAM. This capacity will allow you to perform these operations, but in some cases you will experience problems (for example, when you run more programs or open multiple tabs in your web browser). So choose a more promising solution and a configuration equipped with at least 8 GB of RAM. Frequency, latency and memory mode are not so important here.
The capacity of human memory is one quadrillion bytes.
The human brain is made up of approximately 100 billion neurons, each making thousands of connections to others. Ultimately, about 100 trillion connections are formed in the brain. The transfer of information is carried out through a synapse - a point of specialized contact between neurons. When two interacting regions of neurons are simultaneously activated, the synapse becomes stronger. The protruding formation on the dendrites (the branching process of a neuron necessary to receive information) - the dendritic spine - also increases in size. The spine provides contact with other cells, and enlarges to perceive more incoming signals.
Spikes of different sizes were previously compared by scientists to bits of computer code, but instead of the numbers 1 and 0, the researchers used descriptive characteristics of their size.
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However, experts also had no idea about the number of all possible spine sizes, limiting themselves to the everyday concepts of “small”, “medium”, “large”.
A curious observation forced a research team from the J. Salk Institute for Biological Studies (California) to reconsider existing measurements. A full description of the experiment and the text of the scientific article can be found
in eLife magazine.
While studying the rat hippocampus (the hippocampus is a part of the cerebral cortex responsible for storing visual images), scientists noticed that one axon (an extension of a neuron that acts as a transmitter cable) can communicate with two dendritic spines - information-receiving “antennas” . The researchers hypothesized that the spines would receive the same information because it comes from the same axon, which means they should be similar in size and strength. With different spine characteristics, the information transmitted from one axon will be changed.
The researchers decided to measure the objects that form synaptic connections. As a result, it turned out that spines that receive information from one axon differ in size by approximately 8%. In total, scientists recorded 26 variants of spine size.
Based on these data, the researchers stated that human memory can store information of about one quadrillion bytes.
A quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000) byte corresponds to almost one million gigabytes. For comparison, the average computer RAM is only 8 GB. At the same time, each of us is well aware that we cannot use our memory 100%: people regularly forget the dates of their friends’ birthdays, schoolchildren spend hours trying to memorize a poem or remember a paragraph from a history textbook.
Moreover, precisely this situation is considered as absolutely normal, but we tend to characterize people with outstanding memory with the word “phenomenon.” Thus, the American Kim Peak, who became the prototype of Raymond Babbitt from the film “Rain Man,” had a unique memory:
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he managed to store up to 98% of all information received.
Among his friends, Peak had the nickname Kim-puter. Published in Scientific American in 2005
article dedicated to Kim Peak. Scientists suggest that the phenomenon was caused by the absence of the corpus callosum, which connects the hemispheres of the brain: non-standard connections of neurons in this area provoked increased ability to use memory.
If we now know how great the capabilities of our memory are, why do important concepts and events continue to slip away from it? Paul Reber, a researcher on memory mechanisms at Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois, USA), is trying to answer this question. The scientist did not take part in the experiments of the Salk Institute research group.
“Memory capacity is not an issue - any analysis of the number of neurons will lead to the realization of the enormous potential of the human brain. But this doesn’t matter, so our perception of the world passes faster than fixing the image in memory,” the scientist comments.
According to Reber, it is finally almost impossible to calculate the amount of information that can be stored in the human brain. The problem is that there is much more information than we can imagine. Each person's memory stores not only facts, faces, and important skills, but also basic functions such as speaking and moving, sensory perception, and expressing emotions. The scientist is sure that it is still quite difficult to move from calculating the strength of synaptic connections to a comprehensive description of all the most complex small processes between neurons.
Nevertheless, Robert praised the work of his colleagues at the Salk Institute: “These experiments significantly increase our knowledge not only of memory capacity, but, more importantly, they further confirm how complex human memory mechanisms are.”
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The results obtained can already be used to create energy-saving computers that can imitate the strategies of the human brain when transmitting data. The results of the experiment will also help in clinical studies of brain diseases caused by disruption of normal synapses.
In general, scientists have been studying memory for quite a long time, and sometimes such studies yield very interesting results. For example, in 2011, Elizabeth Martin from the University of Missouri (Columbia) was able to establish that being in a good mood directly affects our forgetfulness. A full description of the experiment is given
in the journal Cognition and Emotion. Study participants were divided into two groups: one watched a comedy show, the other watched instructions for installing flooring.
The results of a test for remembering a combination of numbers after watching a video showed that those who watched an entertainment program performed worse on it.
Martin is sure that it is a good mood that makes us forget about an important call after a fun party.
Elizabeth Martin's colleagues, psychologists at the University of Illinois, believe that the ability to remember a large amount of information is not so useful, especially if you are engaged in creative activities. Scientists believe that high memorization ability develops mathematical thinking and reduces creativity. The study was published
on the website of the Association for Psychological Research.
How much memory for a cheap gaming laptop
Great demands are placed on inexpensive gaming laptops. Here we are often dealing with configurations based on a processor with integrated graphics, the performance of which is sensitive to RAM parameters. Choosing the right memory can be the key to success.
It is recommended to choose an 8GB or 16GB memory configuration that will provide the right performance without inflating the price of the laptop. However, you should pay attention to the memory performance parameters - it would be good if these were DDR4 modules with a minimum frequency of 2666 MHz, always in dual-channel mode (2x4 GB or 2x8 GB).
Generations
There are 4 generations of RAM on the market: outdated DDR
and
DDR2
, obsolete
DDR3
and current
DDR4
. If you're building a PC in 2022, it makes sense to choose DDR4. This is beneficial in the long run: your RAM will not become obsolete in the next few years.
Already now you can find information about the future generation of RAM - DDR5. Even after its release, DDR4 memory will not be considered obsolete - after all, the change of generations takes more than one year.
Please note that the memory is not backwards compatible: you cannot install a fourth generation module in a motherboard with slots for the third generation. The opposite is also true: a new board with fourth-generation slots will not be able to install a DDR3 module. They don't physically fit together because each generation has its own connector key.
How much memory does an efficient gaming laptop have?
Powerful gaming laptops use a powerful processor and a standalone graphics card. This does not mean, however, that the RAM aspect can be left out. RAM can also be very important to system performance.
The optimal choice is configurations equipped with 16 GB of RAM. However, memory settings can have a big impact on performance. Therefore, those interested in such laptops should look for laptops with dual-channel DDR4 memory sets of at least 2666 MHz (though, of course, it could be 2800 or 3000 MHz).
How much RAM does a business laptop have?
Business laptops are compact designs that are typically designed for work that is often done on the go. Therefore, these devices are used for surfing the Internet, creating texts or working with spreadsheets. System speed is also important for users.
When purchasing a business laptop, you should choose models equipped with at least 8 GB, but preferably 16 GB of RAM. Synchronization isn't that important here, but it's nice to have dual-channel memory. This configuration will ensure comfortable operation of the system even when performing more complex tasks.
What is channeling?
Many users have never heard the term “channel” in all their time working with a PC. But experienced computer scientists, on the contrary, strive to make the work of their OP two-channel, three-channel, four-channel. What does this mean? Let's take dual-channel mode as an example. The principle of its operation is based on the use of 2 RAM slots at once, combined into one memory bank.
When installing the 2nd channel, experts strongly recommend observing the following rules:
- modules must contain the same frequency;
- the volume of OP should also be equal;
- 2 strips - one manufacturer.
How much memory does a mobile workstation have?
A separate category is mobile workstations that replace efficient desktop computers. These types of designs are designed for the most demanding applications such as photo editing, movie rendering and 3D or CAD design. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure adequate performance, also in terms of available RAM.
In the case of mobile workstations, you need at least 16 GB of RAM, but 32 GB or even 64 GB is better for specialized utilities. The memory size forces the use of a multi-channel configuration. Memory performance parameters can affect the speed of some programs, so it is better to stock up on more efficient modules.
What RAM do you have installed?
How can you find out this information if the computer was “delivered, brought in, installed” and you have never encountered its configuration before? One way is to install a program called AIDA64. It will provide information about the type of OP and the number of modules in it. By opening the program and clicking on the Motherboard tab, then SPD, you will find out all the necessary information. You can download the AIDA64 program here.
You can see information about the type and capacity of RAM right on the board. To do this, you will need to remove the RAM stick from the connector and examine the data on the sticker. After familiarizing yourself with them, you will be able to select a compatible and suitable OP for your PC or laptop in accordance with the one originally installed.
How much memory does a laptop need?
The amount of memory required depends on the use of the laptop. In most cases, 8 GB is enough, the solution for the future is to choose a configuration with 16 GB of RAM. If you plan to upgrade your computer later and install more memory, it is recommended to check how many slots are free and how many are already filled (especially since many laptops allow you to add/change modules without voiding the warranty).
But capacity isn't everything. When looking at the specifications of a laptop, you should also pay attention to other memory functions - type, frequency and memory mode. Manufacturers often use the cheapest (and weakest) solutions in their devices, and these parameters can have a big impact on system performance. You should analyze the parameters and, if necessary, ask for advice from someone more experienced.
Memory module manufacturers
One of the best price/quality ratios today comes from the memory of the impeccably proven Crucial brand, which has modules from budget to gaming (Ballistix).
Competing with it is the well-deserved Corsair brand, whose memory is somewhat more expensive.
As an inexpensive but high-quality alternative, I especially recommend the Polish brand Goodram, which has bars with low timings at a low price (Play line).
For an inexpensive office computer, simple and reliable memory made by AMD or Transcend will be sufficient. They have proven themselves to be excellent and there are practically no problems with them.
In general, the Korean companies Hynix and Samsung are considered leaders in memory production. But now modules of these brands are mass-produced in cheap Chinese factories, and among them there are a lot of fakes. Therefore, I do not recommend purchasing memory from these brands.
An exception may be Hynix Original and Samsung Original memory modules, which are manufactured in Korea. These strips are usually blue, their quality is considered better than those made in China and the guarantee for them is slightly higher. But in terms of speed characteristics, they are inferior to memory with lower timings from other quality brands.
Well, for enthusiasts and fans of modding there are affordable overclocking brands GeIL, G.Skill, Team. Their memory has low timings, high overclocking potential, an unusual appearance and costs a little less than the well-promoted Corsair brand.
There is also a wide range of memory modules on sale from the very popular manufacturer Kingston. Memory sold under the budget Kingston brand has never been of high quality. But they have a top-end HyperX series, which is deservedly popular, which can be recommended for purchase, but is often overpriced.
I do not recommend purchasing memory modules from brands and manufacturers not listed here, whose products are represented by only a few models.
