How to increase the used RAM. Ways to increase the RAM of a computer. How to change the amount of memory and not change the basic BIOS settings
How do I know if my computer's memory can be upgraded? There comes a time when you begin to realize that the computer can no longer cope with its tasks, but this does not mean that you need to buy a new one, especially if your processor is only two or three years old. It all depends on the tasks that you perform on it. For example, to work with text, tables, work on the Internet, and even create a website, two gigabytes of memory and a single-core microprocessor such as Pentium 4 and an integrated video card of 512 gigabytes will be enough.
On such a computer, even small office toys can be played. Of course, it's good to have everything in reserve: both memory, hard disk space and more cores in a microprocessor, but in computer technology, buying in reserve is an unjustified luxury.
Not only is such a reserve very expensive and you probably won’t need it soon, but computer technology is advancing by leaps and bounds. And what was new and good yesterday, tomorrow may not be needed at all, because. not only the volumes of memory, hard drives, etc. change, but also the ways of their connection (slots, sockets, connectors, cables).
Therefore, you can’t install the latest memory bar in your old motherboard on the old slot (connector). The same goes for microprocessors. Every year they are released for new connectors and new technologies. It is better to buy a new computer in a couple of years.
We had a chief accountant at work who every year demanded to buy her a new computer. Last year, she already bought a quad-core fancy computer with 8 gigabytes of memory, four 2-terabyte hard drives, and a video card for powerful games. We have installed the same computer, only without a gaming video card, as an Internet and local network proxy server, which serves 200 computers in three districts.
And what do you think? This year, our chief accountant again demanded a new computer. Allegedly, this tricked-out monster can no longer cope with its tasks. And he has only three tasks: working on the network in 1C, transferring data to the treasury and printing reports.
And just this year we have changed leadership. Before that, there was a woman who understood little about computer technology and listened only to her deputies, including the chief accountant. So they demanded sophisticated office equipment from her. But in fact, they spent the whole working day playing, watching movies, listening to the radio via the Internet, making slide shows and photo albums to order. And they constantly complained that computers did not work well.
And so the boss calls me to his place and asks what processor the chief accountant needs. I honestly told him that the computer that she bought last year for 65,000 is needed only for powerful modern games or good graphics for printing, but not for our small company, which deals only with monitoring and reporting.
Naturally, not only the management changed, but the entire accounting department and many deputies of departments. As they say, a new broom sweeps in a new way. The old chief accountant was retired, and a simple office computer was bought for the new one for 15 thousand, and the work “boiled”. And the viruses all disappeared somewhere and the programs began to work well, and they stopped complaining about programmers.
The former computer of the chief accountant was given to us in the server room. We cleaned it from a bunch of viruses, removed it from one and a half hundred games and made it a multimedia server. We give people lunch to watch movies and listen to music from the Internet.
Even an old computer can be made to run much faster if you set it up correctly, replace some parts and learn how to work safely, i.e. do not download anything from the Internet, and periodically check your computer for viruses and third-party applications, from which even the most sophisticated computer starts to slow down and fail.
Firstly, the computer may “slow down” due to the fact that you have never made a hard drive, or due to your own negligence, spyware or . Secondly, maybe your hard drive is full, and you need either a larger one, or everything you don’t need.
How to find out,is it possible to increase the memoryon my computer
In order to find out if it is possible to increase the memory on your computer, you must first find out the name or name of your . As you remember, this is the largest board in the computer, on which all other equipment is installed and connected.
How to determine the motherboard model
There are several ways to find out the name of your motherboard:
- in the instructions for the computer. When buying a computer, there must be an instruction manual and a disk with drivers for all devices.
- On the box or disk to the motherboard. If you have already changed the motherboard, then you should have kept the box from it and the driver disk.
- Open the case and read the name on the motherboard itself. If neither the disk nor the box has been preserved, then the motherboard itself must have its name.
- There is a special site on the Internet for identifying software and hardware on your computer. Click on the largest button and the file will be downloaded Intel Detection.exe. Run it and wait for the results. When Ready is written, you can close the program and go to the site page, where all the information about your computer will be. He did not determine my system (mat. board) board.
- Download the aida64 program from the Internet with free use for 30 days. , run the file exe and watch Computer-summary information.
I will write a separate article on this topic.
On this computer, I have 4 gigabytes of memory installed (two sticks of DDR2 gj 2 GB each with a frequency of 400 MHz). Now let's see if it is possible to increase the memory to 8 GB. To do this, look in the program AIDA64 paragraph Motherboard(another name for the motherboard) to brackets. I have written Asus P5KPL-AM EPU.
We take this abbreviation and drive it into the search of your browser. Let's add another word characteristics to the name of our motherboard ( asus p5kpl-am epu specs) and press the button Search.
We select any site with the characteristics of our board and read them. Go to the tab Characteristics and find information on RAM. We care Maximum Memory.
The maximum amount of memory is 4 GB. So I can't add more memory.
If the motherboard supports dual-channel operation, then it is better to install not one, but two brackets from the same batch. Then the memory will work twice as fast.
The lack of RAM gives users a lot of inconvenience, because with its small volume it becomes impossible to work with some resource-intensive programs, play modern computer games that are very demanding on system resources, watch high-resolution videos, etc. This is where the problem arises of how Increase the RAM to such a size that there is no braking or freezing of the system. To do this, there are several basic methods, including the use of removable drives in the form of conventional flash drives or memory cards used in smartphones and tablets.
RAM: what is it and how does it work?
Before dealing with issues of increasing the amount of RAM, you should understand what it is, how it functions and what tasks are assigned to it.
Random access memory (RAM, RAM, random access memory, "RAM") is designed to store data from all processes active at a certain point in time (system and user). It is a link between the installed software and the central processor, but not directly, but through the system bus and caching.
If you do not rummage through the jungle of computer terminology, the most simple RAM memory can be described as follows: at the time the program or process starts, the main components are loaded into RAM, which are stored there until the program ends. Only after loading, the commands are redirected to the central processor, which processes them. Thus, RAM memory is a kind of intermediate data exchange buffer, without which no system can function. The more RAM, the more components can be downloaded and transferred for processing.
How to increase RAM by increasing the number of slats
Let's leave aside the issue of increasing memory through the use of removable devices for now, and consider standard methods to increase system performance, which in some cases can be very useful.
In stationary PCs, the issue of increasing RAM is solved by simply replacing or adding memory strips by inserting them into the appropriate slots on the motherboard. But at the same time, it is desirable to use sticks of the same type and generation (SDRAM, DDR, etc.) and take into account many more additional factors.
Change the swap file size
Another solution to the question of how to increase RAM by using additional tools without physically changing the volume is to set a larger virtual memory size, which is responsible for the so-called paging file (pagefile.sys), which is the space reserved on the hard disk , where cached data is written when the RAM limit is exceeded. Of course, the speed of accessing the hard drive will be much less than directly to the RAM, but as an option it will do.
To do this, use the advanced settings section in the computer properties, where the additional settings tab is selected, and through the button in the performance section, you can switch to the current settings. On the Advanced tab and you can change the virtual memory size by setting your own value that is larger than the recommended default setting. However, you shouldn't get carried away. If the size is too high, the system will first of all access the pagefile.sys file, and not the RAM, which will only lead to the opposite effect.
Changing timing in BIOS settings
If you look at the problem of how to increase RAM on a laptop where there is no way to install additional memory bars, you can use the BIOS settings (although this is more about increasing the amount of video memory).
In the advanced settings section, you need to find the Shared Memory line and change the DRAM Read Timing parameter (the lower the value, the higher the system performance).
Increasing RAM with a flash drive: prerequisites
Finally, let's see how to increase the RAM on your computer using a USB flash drive. This is done quite simply, but you need to observe a few initial conditions.
For these procedures, you will need a removable drive (flash drive or memory card) with a capacity of at least 1 GB and not more than 32 GB with a write speed of 1.75 Mb / s (in blocks of 512 Kb) and a read of 2.5 Mb / s (with the same block size). There must be at least 256 MB of free space, although this parameter can be neglected, since in any case, the media will be formatted at the preparatory stage (recommended). The total memory size of simultaneously connected devices cannot exceed 256 GB. And it is desirable to use devices that support the USB 3.0 standard, since in this case the data transfer rate will be much higher than through ports with a USB 2.0 interface.
Where to begin?
Now directly about solving the problem of how to increase RAM on a computer. Let's take Windows 7 as an example, although in all other modifications the actions will not differ.
Probably, many have noticed that after inserting a device into the appropriate port with the drive auto-detection mode enabled, a window appears on the screen with a choice of action. But few people pay attention to the fact that at the very bottom of the window there is a line to speed up the system. This is exactly what is needed. We click on it and for now we leave the question of how to increase RAM on a laptop or a stationary terminal aside, since we need to perform several preliminary steps.
ReadyBoost Technology
To increase the RAM, ReadyBoost technology will be used, which means that the physical flash memory can be used as a virtual one. In other words, an additional swap file is simply created on the removable device.
For operating systems based on the x64 architecture, the amount of physical space used cannot exceed 32 GB, for x86 (32-bit) systems - 4 GB. In addition, according to the recommendations of Microsoft specialists, the ratio of drive memory to stationary RAM can range from 1:1 to 2.5:1. At the same time, the maximum performance increase is observed when reading smaller blocks with a size of 4 KB (compared to accessing hard drives, the performance increase is about 10 times), but when reading large blocks, the effect is almost imperceptible.
Media Formatting
So, how to increase the RAM to the size the user needs? First, we format the media by selecting the appropriate partition from the right-click menu on the device.
It is advisable to perform a full format with the choice of the NTFS file system without changing the default cluster size (usually the same 512 KB). We confirm the deletion of all information and wait for the end of the process.
Engaging media and specifying the size of allocated memory
Now we right-click on the formatted media in the usual "Explorer" and select the properties section.
In the new window, go to the ReadyBoost tab and activate the permission line for using this device for the specified technology (the size will be set automatically, using the maximum possible space). If you need a smaller volume, the usage line is activated just below, and the size is specified manually. But in general, it is recommended to use the maximum.
After that, in the same "Explorer" you can see that the device is almost completely full, and only 100 MB of space remain free. That's the way it should be. The filled space will be used for caching files. Agree, the increase is significant.
Increasing memory in Android systems
Now a few words about how to increase RAM on Android. You don't need to do anything physically. In the simplest case, you can simply stop currently unused applications running in the background. However, this will have no effect, as they will start again. In this case, it is better to turn to optimizer programs that allow you not only to unload unnecessary processes from RAM, but also control autorun. In this case, it is desirable to have root rights with the ability to remove the built-in applets of the system itself.
But this method, rather, looks like self-deception. Therefore, the problem of how to increase RAM on Android is solved using utilities like RAM Manager (for older devices with version 2.1 systems), SWAPit RAM EXPANDER, Swapper 2, etc. The last two programs are able to create their own swap files by analogy with Windows systems and store cached data either in the internal memory of the device or on SD cards (you can specify the location of the swap file manually). In addition, they still have quite a lot of additional tools, up to manual control of the performance of the entire system.
Brief conclusions
If we draw conclusions from the foregoing, it is worth noting that the most effective method of increasing RAM is still replacing or adding slats. However, if such a possibility is simply not physically available (for example, on laptops or netbooks), the option using removable drives seems to be the most preferable. In this case, you can even not use the system virtual memory, the file of which is stored on the HDD, since accessing the hard drive has a lower speed indicator. But, as is already clear, you need to take into account some of the requirements for flash drives and removable memory cards. Without this, you can not even count on the effect of increasing RAM. And of course, do not forget to insert a USB flash drive or card into the appropriate port or card reader before turning on the computer or laptop, since inserting media will not work in a running system.
The software environment in the Android OS uses a Java machine - in the old versions of Dalvik, in the new ones - ART. The consequence of this is a rather high consumption of RAM. And if users of flagship and mid-budget devices may not notice this, then owners of budget devices with 1 GB of RAM and less already feel the lack of RAM. We want to tell you how to deal with this problem.
Users familiar with computers probably thought about physically increasing the RAM - disassembling a smartphone and installing a larger chip. Alas, it is technically difficult to do this. However, you can get out of the software.
Android is a variant of the Unix system, therefore, it has the function of creating Swap partitions - analogous to swap files in Windows. Most Android devices don't have the tools to manipulate the swap partition, but there are third-party apps that allow it.
To manipulate Swap files, the device must be rooted, and its kernel must support this option! You may also need to install the BusyBox framework!
Method 1: RAM Expander
One of the first applications with which users can create and modify swap partitions.
- Before installing the application, make sure that your device meets the requirements of the program. The easiest way to do this is with the simple MemoryInfo & Swapfile Check utility.
Run the utility. If you see data like in the screenshot below, it means that your device does not support Swap creation.
Otherwise, you can continue.
- Launch RAM Expander. The application window looks like this.
3 sliders marked ( "Swap file", Swapiness And "MinFreeKb") are responsible for manually setting up the swap partition and multitasking. Unfortunately, they do not work adequately on all devices, so we recommend using the automatic setup described below.
- Click on the button "Optimal value".
The application will automatically determine the appropriate swap size (you can change it with the parameter "Swap file" in the RAM Expander menu). The program will then prompt you to select the location of the paging file.
We recommend choosing a memory card ( "/sdcard" or "/extSdCard"). - The next step is Swap presets. As a rule, options "Multitasking" sufficient in most cases. After selecting the desired one, confirm by pressing "OK".
You can manually change these presets by moving the slider Swapiness in the main application window. - Wait until the virtual RAM is created. When the process comes to an end, pay attention to the switch "Activate swap". As a rule, it is activated automatically, but on some firmwares it needs to be turned on manually.
For convenience, you can check the box "Run at system startup"- in this case, RAM Expander will turn on automatically after the device is turned off or rebooted. - After such manipulations, you will notice a solid increase in performance.
RAM Expander is a good choice for improving the performance of the device, but it still has its downsides. In addition to the need for root and the additional manipulations associated with it, the application is entirely paid - no trial versions.
Method 2: RAM Manager
A combined tool that combines not only the ability to manipulate Swap files, but also an advanced task manager and memory manager.
Finishing today, we note that there are other applications in the Play Store that offer the possibility of expanding RAM, but for the most part they are inoperative or are viruses.
How to increase computer RAM.Currently, progress is progressing by leaps and bounds, and computers, laptops and other equipment tend to become outdated faster. Several factors affect the performance of a computer. Among them is the amount of RAM. But how to increase the computer's RAM on your own? This question often begins to worry PC users. In this article, we will look at all the ways to increase RAM. Three of them do not require any money from you at all!
How to increase RAM. The easiest option
There are several options on how to increase the RAM of your computer. The first one is the simplest, buying new RAM, the volume of which will significantly exceed the previous model. This method is not cheap, so if there is no extra money to buy RAM, we move on to the next one.
Determine the type of RAM you need
It is impossible to acquire RAM just like that, indiscriminately, since there is a high chance of failing. The memory may not be compatible with other computer components. In addition, the motherboard is also only capable of supporting a certain kind of RAM. With the wrong selection, you will simply disable it.
But in order to avoid such unpleasant consequences, you need to find out the characteristics of the component that is installed in your computer now. You also need to calculate the number of additional places for RAM.
There are several ways to determine the characteristics and number of seats. The first of them is the installation of an additional program that will help you diagnose components. The second is to remove the cover of the computer block and independently count the slots for RAM.
Some repair and tuning wizards advise filling all the places for RAM, as this will help to achieve maximum performance from the device. At the time of purchase, it is worth looking at the memory with the highest speed, this will also help in increasing the speed of the PC.
You should also take into account the fact that the computer has a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system. Therefore, it makes no sense to increase the memory to 4-6 GB in a 32-bit OS. Therefore, if you want to install more RAM, then change the system.
Installing memory in a computer
After buying a new RAM, you need to figure out how to properly install it on your computer. Adding modules is easy enough. Each RAM slot has clips on both sides. They need to be moved to the side, then the old module will pop out. Instead, you can install a new one. When you pin the memory, you will hear a click to let you know that you have pinned the RAM correctly. It remains only to close it with latches so that it does not fall out of the nest.
It is better not to assemble a computer block right away, because there is a high probability of difficulties when reading new RAM. After some time - about 10 minutes, you can collect the block. To check the correct recognition of the new RAM on the computer, you must click on the "my computer" icon and click on the "properties" section. The "installed memory" category will show the amount of memory you have installed. If the numbers match, then you did everything right.
Important! Before installing RAM, it is necessary to de-energize the power supply and remove static voltage. If this is not done, any part may burn out during removal or installation. To remove static voltage, you need to put your palm on the computer unit, and the other on the heatsink of the storage battery. So you can neutralize static electricity and work with a disassembled computer safely.
So, we figured out the easiest way to increase the RAM on your computer. However, if the financial situation at the moment does not allow this, then we manage on our own. There are some more simple ways that do not require any financial resources.
The second way is to increase the virtual memory of the computer
Our PC is designed so that those files that do not fit into storage in RAM remain on the hard drive in a certain place. Windows OS, as a rule, independently sets the amount of virtual memory, but if necessary, the user himself can change these settings. To do this, it is not necessary to be a programmer, everything is quite simple.
The instructions for expanding virtual memory on Windows XP and 7 are very similar, since the menu and device of the system are almost the same.
There is a start button in the lower left corner of the screen. We go there and select the line "computer". Click on it with the left mouse button and go to "properties" in the menu.
computer propertiesWhen you open a new window on the left, you will see the lines "advanced system settings".
advanced system settings
additionallyYou will also be transferred to a new window, in which there will be an "additional" section. In the "virtual memory" section, click on the "change" button.
speed settingsAgain, a new window will pop up with options that you will have to configure yourself. First, uncheck the box next to "automatically select the size of the paging file." After that, choose any drive that has enough space and look at the optimal amount of RAM expansion. It is this number that can be entered in the “indicate size” column - the initial and maximum. After the done actions, confirm all changes with the "OK" button.
virtual memoryFor Windows 8, increasing the amount of virtual memory is different. In the main menu, find the "search" item. In the search bar, enter the following query "system properties performance". Press the Enter key, then the "Performance Options" window will appear. In it, select the "advanced" tab. There is also a "virtual memory" column, where you can make an increase in virtual memory. This is done in the same way as on Windows 7/Xp.
Attention! Changing virtual memory does not provide the same benefits as installing new RAM. This will only slightly speed up your PC.
The third way is to increase the RAM using external drives
This is a very effective method for making room for RAM in your PC. This method appeared relatively recently, and it became available using the Ready Boost technology, which was invented by Microsoft. However, not every user uses this method due to ignorance.
The Ready Boost program allows you to increase the amount of RAM using any external drive. The simplest and most common of these are flash drives or flash drives. Now almost every person has them, and sometimes several pieces. So why not use one of them to increase the RAM on your personal computer?
The main requirements for a flash drive will be a read speed of at least 2.5 MB / s, free space from 256 MB and a write speed of 1.75 MB / s.
This method will not only change the amount of memory for the better, but also speed up the PC.
So, let's begin:
First, insert the USB flash drive and go to the menu. Select the external drive and right-click on it. In the new window we find the item "properties", wait until it opens. When the "properties" open, find the Ready Boost item and tick it. Move the slider of the reserved space to speed up the work to the maximum. This will mean that you are using the full capacity of the flash drive. After completing the actions, click "ok" and wait for the system to apply the new settings.
Now you also know how to increase the computer's RAM using a flash drive.
And the last, fourth way - we increase the memory using Bios
Most BIOS versions allow you to change the RAM settings manually, so you can use this method. It also does not require any financial investment from you. However, after such a setting, it is necessary to check the system to eliminate malfunctions.
How to change the amount of memory and not change the basic BIOS settings?
How to increase RAM through BIOS. First, we enter the BIOS. To do this, you must turn off your computer. Then start its launch and while the OS is loading, hold down the delete, f2 keys or the ctrl / alt / esc combination.
how to increase RAM through BIOSSecond, in the BIOS menu, look for the Performance section.
Memory sectionThirdly, here we find the Memory tab and reduce the numerical value of the timings in the CAS Latency category. With a decrease in their number, the performance of the cache increases. The fewer of them, the better. However, it should be taken into account that reducing the number of timings to the minimum value will affect the operation of the equipment. Do not be zealous!
CAS LatencyAnd fourth, save all the changes and exit the BIOS. After all, you need to restart your computer and check its operation.
Attention! Changing the RAM in BIOS can change other system settings. Be careful!
All the methods described above will help you increase your computer's RAM. Three of them do not require any financial investment from you at all. It is not forbidden to improve the technical capabilities of your PC, but watch your actions and follow the instructions provided. Then the whole process will go smoothly and you will enjoy a faster version of your computer. Now you have an answer to the question - how to increase RAM.
Outcome:
It was about how to increase your computer's RAM. All methods are described in as much detail as possible, with pictures if possible.
If your computer is suffering from low RAM, then the only way to fix this problem is to increase the RAM. This operation is extremely simple - like changing a cartridge in a game console in the mid-90s. So, let's see how to increase the RAM on the computer. Before proceeding with the process of expanding the RAM itself, you need to choose the right one.
Types of RAM and their classification
You can increase the computer's RAM by adding additional modules. To accurately determine what memory is installed in your PC, you need to remove the case cover and look at it with your own eyes. There are 3 main types of RAM:
1. DDR clocked at up to 400 megahertz;
2. DDR2 with a frequency of 533 to 1066 MHz;
3. DDR3 with a frequency of 1066 or more.
New computers began to be massively equipped with DDR3 memory back in 2008. Therefore, if your computer is younger, then it definitely has DDR3 memory. If you are not sure about this, remove the memory from the seat and attach a ruler to it. The notch on the contact strip should be located 5.3 cm from the left edge. For DDR2, this notch is located almost in the center, 7 centimeters from the edge of the memory module. The old DDR is primarily distinguished by huge rectangular chips that can be seen without removing it from the computer.
Types of RAM for PC
Notebook RAM can also be recognized by the same notches, as shown in the picture.
Types of RAM for laptops
Once you have decided on the type of memory you have, think about how much you want to increase it. However, there are limitations here. For example, your computer may have a maximum of 4 memory slots. The capacity limit for a single DDR module is 1 GB, for DDR2 it is 2 GB, and for DDR3 it is 8 GB.
Now you can safely go to the store and buy a RAM compatible with yours. It makes no sense to look for exactly the same, it may simply not be on sale. Also buying the same modules will not add too much performance. The speed of work will increase, but only as much as the measurement error is allowed. You shouldn't think too much about it.
How to increase RAM on a computer?
Before installing the RAM, it is recommended to de-energize the motherboard. Simply pull out the power connector from it. Then you need to select and prepare a place to install the memory. If you already have one module in the first slot, and there are 3 or 4 of them in total, then install the second one in the third slot. That is, the memory must be either in even or odd slots. So the modules will be provided with good ventilation. After pushing the latches, simply insert the memory into the slot and press firmly until it clicks. Next, turn on the computer and check if it sees the purchased RAM. After starting, press the DEL key to go to the BIOS, where all PC parameters will be displayed, including the amount of RAM. If everything went well, you will immediately notice an increase in speed. To be sure, download and run any utility to check the RAM.
Adding another memory module to a laptop is a 5-minute matter. But before interfering with its hardware, it is MANDATORY to remove the battery. Otherwise, a short circuit is possible, after which the laptop may fail.
With the computer turned upside down, locate the cover covering the memory replacement bay. Usually it is indicated by a characteristic icon. After unscrewing the cover, find a free slot and insert the purchased memory into it, holding it at an angle of 30 degrees to the laptop. Usually it effortlessly enters the slot. After that, press it against the laptop until the metal latches work. Check the performance of the new memory through the BIOS or using special utilities.
Be careful!
Older operating systems have some limitations in working with RAM. For example, Windows XP does not support more than 4 gigabytes of RAM. However, this figure is the limit for all 32-bit systems. This problem can only be solved by installing the 64-bit version of Windows.
In which ways to increase computer performance were considered, we have already briefly touched on the issue of increasing random access memory (RAM).
The purpose of this article is to tell you in as much detail as possible how to choose and replace RAM.
RAM Selection Criteria
So, you have decided that you need to increase the RAM. What criteria should be used to select RAM modules?
Before you go to the store and place an order, we recommend that you carefully read the material below, which will save not only your time, but also money.
Manufacturer. The first thing you need to start choosing is with the choice of a RAM manufacturer. Many here are guided by the principle that the longer a manufacturer spends on the memory module production market, the better the quality of its products.
