How to install computer RAM; Computers use many components and one of the most important components is RAM. In the meantime, if you are using a desktop computer, it is better to know how to replace or install RAM. Fortunately, you can easily do this on desktop computers, and we’ll cover the process step by step.
What is RAM?
Before explaining how RAM works, we must first say that the system’s CPU does billions of calculations every second, but these processors also have internal cache that does not have much capacity. This is where RAM comes in. RAM is a type of cache for the system that the processor can access to significantly improve the overall performance of the computer.
Although this is a very simple explanation for the complex operation of computer RAM, it seems to be sufficient given that in this article we are going to discuss how to install or upgrade it.
Choose the right RAM to upgrade
If you have not yet chosen the right RAM for your system, here are some important points to consider before buying:
- Compatibility with DIMM slots: DIMM slots are the interface between RAM and the motherboard. These slots, like RAM, have undergone many changes over the years, and now almost all motherboards have DDR4 DIMM slots. It should be noted that when buying RAM, you should pay attention to the slot generation on the motherboard, and for example, you can not connect a new RAM to the slot based on the old generation.
- Motherboard compatibility: In addition to discussing slots, you should also consider the speed of RAM purchased. RAM speed is measured in MHz, and you need to see what maximum speed your motherboard supports for RAM.
- Number of DIMM slots: There are only a certain number of slots on a computer motherboard, and most motherboards have 4 RAM slots. So pay attention to this issue when buying some RAM.
- RAM capacity: RAMs are based on a variety of capacities, and before you spend a lot of money to buy high-capacity RAMs, you need to see what maximum capacity your system supports for RAM.
How to install computer RAM
In the field of desktop computer hardware, installation by changing the RAM is the easiest process and you can do it in just a few minutes and without any hassle. In the following, we will deal with this process in simple language and step by step.
Step 1 – Familiarity with motherboard features
Many newer motherboards support dual-channel or quad-channel RAM. By checking the specifications of the motherboard or searching the Internet, you can make sure that this feature is present on your motherboard.
Step 2 – Separate old RAM (optional)
If your system motherboard has one or more RAMs, you will need to unplug them to fully upgrade and use new RAMs. All you have to do is press the clamps on either side of the DIMM slot in the opposite direction and then pull the RAM out of the slot.
Step 3 – Unlock the slot clamps
Most new motherboards have DIMM slot clamps closed, and you will need to open these small clamps to insert the RAM. Most DDR4 RAM slots have only one movable clamp, but older generation slots such as DDR3 have two movable clamps and you must open both.
Step 4 – Pay attention to the direction of RAM
To put RAM in the slot, you must pay attention to the RAM memory. As you can see in the picture, there is a gap between the RAM pins that the location of this gap varies between different generations of RAM. So before pushing the RAM into this slot, be careful to place the RAM in the slot in the correct direction.
Step 5 – Put the RAM in the slot
After doing all this, now is the time to insert the required RAM or RAMs into the DIMM slot. If your slot has only one movable clip, you must insert it first from the part that does not have a movable clip. If the motherboard slot has two movable clamps, after opening them, you must place both sides of the RAM on the slot at the same time and then press.
After pressing the RAM on the slot, you should hear the sound of the clip or clamps closing. Sometimes the motherboard slot clamps you just bought are too tight and you have to apply more pressure in such situations.
Step 6 – Turn on the system and go to the BIOS
After installing the RAM on the computer, now is the time to make sure the RAM or RAMs are working properly. To do this, after turning on the system, you must visit the BIOS section. On most systems, you have to press the DEL or F12 key several times immediately after turning on to get to this part.
Step 7 – Check the speed of RAM
In the system BIOS, there is usually a section called System Information. In this section, the RAM capacity is installed and you can see its speed. If you use dual-channel RAM, sometimes half the actual speed is shown, but this is not a cause for concern. In any case, make sure that the displayed speed is in accordance with the purchased RAM speed.
The last word
As you can see, installing or replacing computer RAM is a very simple process. There are many things to consider in terms of RAM capacity, and for most users, for example, 8 GB of RAM is enough, but in any case, depending on what you do with your system, you have to make a decision in this regard. That’s why for many users, even if they use 32 GB of RAM, they will not face much difference in terms of performance.
Of course, in terms of system performance, RAM is only one of the most important parts, and in order to increase speed, you should also pay attention to upgrading other components.
