What is RAM and Why Should You Care About It?

If you’ve spent any amount of time around gamers, you’ve no doubt heard about RAM so many times that, if you’re not sure what it is, you’re definitely afraid to ask.

RAM is spoken of so casually that it can be intimidating to ask what it is if you don’t already know, so today we’ll give you a brief explanation of what RAM is, why you should care about it, and what can you do to increase yours.

What is RAM?

Short for Random Access Memory, RAM is the place all kinds of apps use to store data that is currently in use.

While your drive might be able to store data that you won’t use for years, the RAM is dedicated to things that your running apps are actively using, which is why it’s so important for performance, not only in videogames but pretty much every application or program your computer runs.

This is why old computers have trouble or are incapable of running new games. All programs have certain RAM requirements, and if a computer can’t meet them, then things simply won’t work.

Why is RAM Important?

To put it bluntly, the lower your RAM, the fewer things your computer can do.

Sure, an 4G RAM might be enough for the average computer user, and might even be sufficient to play some games, but if you’re a multi-tasker who likes to edit videos or want to play modern games, you’ll encounter the limitations of a 4G sooner rather than later.

Lagging games, videos that take forever to render, and frozen computers. These problems are often born from demanding too much of a small RAM, so if you want to computer to do more, you need to give it the tools to do it.

How much RAM do I need?

Now that you know what RAM is and why you should care about it, you may be wondering just how much of it you need.

The answer? Depends on what you do.

With RAM, the rule is simple: The more you have, the more you can do. Thus, a 32G will be way better than an 8G no matter what, but all of that power might go unutilized if you simply want to play a few games casually.

A good rule of thumb is as follows:

4G: Internet browsing

8G: Working, light gaming

16G: Light video editing, gaming

32: Animation, 3D design, hardcore gaming

What does Neal’s Builds offer?

Proud suppliers of Corsair Dominator DDR4, Corsair Vengeance DDR4, Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR4, as well as Kingston Fury DDR4 and Major Brand DDR4, all of Neil’s Builds PCs offer a minimum of 8G for RAM, going up all the way to 64, meaning we’re able to assemble anything from an entry-level gaming PC to a battle station, all while using the best components and delivering the best service in the market.

Are you looking for a PC that matches your needs and specifications but you don’t have the time or desire to build it yourself? Let us do it for you. Just pick the parts, and our team of experts will make it happen!