RAM is one of the cheapest parts of any gadget, whether it’s a phone, a smartwatch, a laptop, or an on-board computer of a car. But without it, the device won’t work. In RAM, all the data necessary for the work of apps is recorded, and the more RAM, the better the software works and the more programs can be run simultaneously. For modern smartphones, the minimum recommended amount of RAM is 4 GB. This is enough for basic tasks, such as surfing the Internet, using social media, playing at BetAmo, and using simple apps.Let’s find out what RAM affects, how much RAM a particular gadget needs, and how it can be increased.
Why You Need RAM on All Devices
By default, all files and folders, games and photos, application distributions, the operating system, and everything else are located in the internal memory of the gadget. When some software starts working, it takes the files necessary for work from the internal memory (permanent: hard disk, SSD, SD card, etc.) and moves them to the RAM, as the former is much slower than the latter. During operation, the program uses data from RAM, and when the app is closed, the RAM data is erased, freeing up space for other processes.
Some software consumes less RAM, some consumes more. You can open dozens of small apps like messenger, media player, or text editor at the same time, but their RAM consumption isn’t close to the requirements of a modern video game or an Internet browser with a hundred active tabs.
Sometimes some temporary files are not deleted from RAM when you close an application. Over time, RAM gets clogged with “garbage,” and your gadget starts working slowly. So if you notice that your smartphone or laptop has become slow, clean the RAM with the help of special apps.
How Much RAM Modern Smartphones, Laptops, and PCs Need
It may seem that the answer to the question of how much RAM a modern gadget needs is simple: the more, the better. That’s true. But if you go into detail, there are important nuances because the performance of the gadget isn’t the only thing that affects RAM.
However, for more comfortable work and multitasking, it’s better to choose devices with 8 GB of RAM. This will allow you to run more demanding applications and games without noticeable delays, freezes, or crashes.
For flagship models and gaming smartphones, a standard 12-16 GB of RAM is suitable. It gives maximum performance and potential because every year, apps and operating system processes require more and more RAM.
Unlike desktop devices such as PCs, gaming consoles, or laptops (connected to the network), increasing RAM in smartphones significantly accelerates battery consumption. But it’s important to realize that it’s not the number of gigabytes of RAM per se that affects the discharge rate, but the fact that, thanks to this, a much larger number of resource-intensive apps are running simultaneously.
Laptops
In the case of laptops for everyday tasks like working with documents, browsing the web, scrolling through your social media feed, and surfing YouTube, 8GB of RAM is fine.
If you are engaged in more demanding tasks (photo and video editing, 3D modeling, or professional work with graphics), it’s recommended to have at least 16 GB of RAM.
For gaming laptops and professional software workstations, 32GB is the optimal choice for maximum performance and uncompromising multitasking.
Personal Computers
As in the case with the laptop, for basic home use and office work on the PC, 8 GB of RAM will be enough. This amount will allow you to comfortably work with documents, surf the net, and use apps.
For professional work, including programming, graphic design, and video editing, 16-32 GB of RAM is recommended, the same is enough for most of the current games.
Stations for complex video rendering or scientific calculations may require 32 GB of RAM and more. All of this capacity can fit into a single module.
Influence of Various Factors on RAM Operation
RAM performance in smartphones and PCs is affected by a variety of factors that can both improve and degrade RAM performance, depending on the conditions. There are general factors for RAM of any type, as well as specific factors for smartphones and PCs.
General Factors
- High temperatures negatively affect the speed of RAM and lead to its premature failure. It’s also not recommended to keep RAM patches in the cold, and the perfect temperature for storage and operation is room temperature.
- Electromagnetic interference. RAM can be sensitive to interference if it’s close to sources of powerful electromagnetic radiation. Although rare, interference can cause data errors, malfunctions, and failures.
Smartphone-specific Factors
- RAM in smartphones often suffers from an excess of simultaneously running applications. If the RAM on a PC simply won’t “cram” into itself more data than it can accept, the RAM in a smartphone will still try to accept excessive information, which leads to failures.
- Software updates. New versions of operating systems and apps often require more RAM resources for their operation. Over time, this can cause a device with limited RAM to run slower.
Computer-specific Factors
- System configuration. In computers, RAM performance can be affected by system configuration, including BIOS/UEFI settings, memory frequency, and timing. Improper configuration can degrade RAM performance.
- Physical expansion. Unlike smartphones, many computers allow you to increase RAM capacity by adding additional modules. However, it’s important that all modules are compatible in terms of frequency and timing. Otherwise, it may reduce overall system performance.