What Does a RAM Do on a Computer?

On the surface, RAM is really just how fast or how slow your computer runs when you’ve got multiple programs open — the bigger the RAM, the faster your computer feels. But what’s the science behind it? What does a RAM do on a computer? Why does its size matter? And what does that size even mean? It’s easy to fall into a loophole of questions when learning about computer specs, but it’s ok, they’re actually pretty simple once you break them down. In this article,

What Is RAM and What Does It Do?

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is essentially your computer’s short-term memory. It temporarily stores the data your CPU (central processing unit) needs to access quickly while running applications, opening files, or performing tasks. Unlike your hard drive, which holds data long-term, RAM only keeps information as long as it’s needed in the moment. As soon as you close a program or shut down your computer, the data in RAM is cleared—this is what allows it to be fast and responsive.

What makes RAM so important is how it supports multitasking. When you're switching between multiple tabs, editing a document, or streaming media, RAM is what enables your system to keep everything running smoothly without freezing or slowing down. The more RAM your computer has—say 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB—the more tasks it can handle at once. That’s why having a higher RAM capacity leads to a faster and more convenient experience, especially for heavier tasks like gaming or video editing.

Physically, RAM comes in the form of slim memory modules installed on your computer’s motherboard. Most systems come with two or more of these, and many allow upgrades if needed. RAM speed also plays a role—faster memory allows your processor to access and transfer data more efficiently, resulting in better overall performance.

RAM comes in different types, with DRAM (Dynamic RAM) and SRAM (Static RAM) being the most common. DRAM is the most widely used in consumer computers because it is cost-effective and offers a good balance of performance. However, it needs to be constantly refreshed, which can slow things down a little. On the other hand, SRAM doesn’t require refreshing, making it faster but more expensive, so it's typically used in smaller amounts for cache memory, which sits closer to the CPU.

Other types of RAM include DDR (Double Data Rate) RAM, which has become the standard in modern systems. DDR RAM comes in various generations (DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, DDR5), with each new generation offering improvements in speed and efficiency. As you upgrade your system, understanding these types of RAM and how they affect performance is key to maximizing your computer’s capabilities.

How RAM Affects Your Computer’s Performance

Once you have figured out what is RAM and what it does, you may want to know how different size RAMs affect your computer’s performance.

RAM and Speed:

Sufficient RAM is crucial for fast processing and smooth multitasking. When you have enough RAM, your system can quickly access data needed for active tasks without relying on slower storage drives. This leads to a faster, more responsive experience. For example, with adequate RAM, apps launch quickly, files open in seconds, and browsing between multiple tabs remains fluid.

Insufficient RAM Impact:

When your system runs out of RAM, it resorts to using your computer’s hard drive or SSD for additional memory storage, which is much slower. This can significantly slow down your system, causing apps to freeze, files to open slowly, and overall performance to lag. When RAM usage consistently reaches 80% or higher, your system will struggle to perform even basic tasks effectively.

Optimal RAM Size for Different Users:

• Light Use (Email, Browsing, Video Streaming): If your computer is mainly used for simple tasks like checking emails, browsing the web, and watching videos, 4-8 GB of RAM is sufficient.

• Multimedia and Light Gaming: For tasks like photo editing or casual gaming, 12-16 GB of RAM ensures smooth performance.

• Power Users (Heavy Gaming, Video Editing, and Design Software): To handle resource-demanding applications like Photoshop or to play the latest games at high frame rates, 32 GB of RAM is recommended. Users who work with very large files or high-end video editing software may benefit from 64 GB or more.

When to Upgrade RAM:

• Your computer uses more than 80% of its RAM regularly.

• Files and applications load slowly, especially large files.

• Your system experiences frequent crashes or freezes.

• Running multiple apps at once results in noticeable performance drops.

• You see messages that your PC doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for software.

If you encounter several of these symptoms, it may be time to upgrade your RAM to ensure smoother performance.

Upgrading RAM or the Entire Computer?

If your system’s RAM isn’t sufficient, upgrading it is often the most cost-effective solution. Many computers, including laptops, offer expandable RAM slots. You can either install additional RAM yourself or have a professional do it for you.

However, if your system is old and unable to meet the latest software requirements or RAM standards, eventually, a full upgrade may be necessary. Newer models offer faster, more efficient RAM, improving overall performance in the long term.

How to Optimize RAM Usage for Better Performance

If you wish to use your computer in complete comfort where your system isn’t laggy or slowing down mid-programs, you must know how you can optimize your RAMs given usage. With the help of these methods, you can reduce the unnecessary strain on your RAM.

Method 1: Closing Unnecessary Applications

There are so many times when we're multitasking, juggling between a YouTube podcast, chatting with someone on Messenger, attending an online class (which is running in the background on mute), and working on an overdue assignment. But sometimes, you don’t really need all those apps open, or you forget to close them once you’re done. For example, after your online class, you might leave the meeting open, or after finishing an assignment, you might forget to close Word. These little things can take up valuable RAM and slow down your system.

One simple way to free up RAM is by closing apps and processes you’re not using. Even if an app is minimized or running in the background, it's still using up RAM. Here’s how you can free up some space:

Step 1: To close apps, let's open Windows Task Manager. You can do this by using the search menu in the taskbar or by pressing "CTRL+ALT+DEL" simultaneously to open the Task Manager.

Step 2: Next, navigate to the "Processes" tab to view the apps currently running on your system.

Step 3: Here, you’ll see all the apps currently running along with the memory they are using, and other relevant details.

Step 4: If you want to close an app, simply select it, then click on the "End Task" button at the bottom-right of the window.

Closing apps you don’t need is a simple habit that can make a big difference, especially when you’re juggling multiple tasks. You will notice a massive difference in the performance of your computer.

Method 2: Upgrading Your RAM

Upgrading your RAM is one of the most effective ways to improve your system’s performance, especially if you’re finding that your computer is struggling with tasks like multitasking, running heavy applications, or even loading large files. Here's how you can determine if it's time to upgrade and what steps to follow for a smooth upgrade process.

Check Your Current RAM Usage

To see if your RAM needs upgrading, you first need to see what’s your usage. The higher the usage the better it is that you get an upgrade to not put unnecessary load on your RAM. Here’s how you can check how much RAM are you currently using in real-time:

Step 1: To check memory usage, open Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting Task Manager.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Performance” tab to view system performance metrics like CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network usage.

Tip: You can also open Windows Performance Tab directly by pressing “CTRL+SHIFT+ESC”.

Step 3: Now click on the "Memory" section where you can see memory usage over time, along with details like memory in use, available memory, and more.

Step 4: To view more details, click on the "Resource Monitor" option at the bottom.

Step 5: In the Resource Monitor window, you’ll get a more detailed breakdown of memory usage by each app.

How to Upgrade Your RAM

If you’ve decided that upgrading your RAM is the right choice, here’s how to go about it:

• Check Compatibility: Before purchasing new RAM, make sure your computer supports the upgrade. You can check your system specifications in Task Manager or System Information to see how much RAM your system currently supports and how many RAM slots are available.

• Choose the Right RAM: When buying new RAM, ensure you select modules that match your computer’s specifications (e.g., DDR4, 16GB, 3200MHz). You can check your system manual for the specific requirements or use online tools to identify compatible RAM for your model.

• Install the RAM: If you’re comfortable with DIY upgrades, you can install the new RAM yourself. Simply turn off your computer, open the back panel, locate the RAM slots, and gently insert the new modules. If you’re unsure about doing this yourself, you can hire a professional to install the RAM for you.

• Test and Confirm: After installation, restart your computer and open Task Manager again to ensure that your new RAM is recognized and functioning correctly.

Method 3: Using Cloud Storage to Reduce RAM Usage

Upgrading your RAM is often a cost-effective solution, but as technology continues to advance, there may come a point when upgrading your RAM isn’t enough. This is where utilizing proper tools, like WPS Office, can make a significant difference in optimizing your system's performance.

WPS Office offers cloud storage, which allows you to offload files from your local memory, freeing up space on your computer’s RAM. By using cloud storage, you can access large files, documents, and presentations without burdening your system’s memory, ensuring smooth performance even when handling demanding tasks.

WPS Cloud: An Efficient Alternative to Manage RAM Usage

There are many tools that use cloud storage to help you optimize your system's performance, and WPS Office is one of the best examples. Instead of saving your files to your local system, you can use cloud storage to save space on your computer's hard drive and RAM. This helps you keep your system running smoothly, especially when you're handling large files or working on demanding tasks.

Upgrading your RAM is often a cost-effective solution, but as technology continues to advance, there may come a point when upgrading your RAM isn’t enough. This is where utilizing proper tools like WPS Office can make a significant difference in optimizing your system’s performance. WPS Office offers cloud storage, which allows you to offload files from your local memory, freeing up space on your computer’s RAM.

Step 1: Open WPS Office on your PC and click on the "Files" tab in the left pane.

Step 2: You’ll now see a list of your most recently opened files. Select the file you want to save to WPS Cloud, then click the "More Options" icon (three dots) to open the context menu.

Step 3: In the context menu, choose "Save to WPS Drive" to begin uploading the file.

Step 4: A small "Upload to WPS Drive" popup will appear. Here, you can rename your file and set its save location. Once done, click "Save".

Step 5: Back on the WPS Office dashboard, you’ll now see two versions of the file. The one with "Local" next to its name is stored on your computer; the other is saved on WPS Cloud.

By using cloud storage, you can access large files, documents, and presentations without burdening your system’s memory, ensuring smooth performance even when handling demanding tasks.

• Move Large Files to WPS Cloud

Instead of keeping heavy files on your local hard drive, upload them to WPS Cloud. This frees up space and reduces RAM consumption since the system doesn’t need to load large files directly into memory.

• Access Files Anytime, Anywhere

With WPS Cloud, you can access your files from any device connected to your account, which is ideal for users who need their documents on the go without overloading the computer’s RAM.

• Collaborate with Ease

WPS Cloud allows you to share documents and collaborate with others in real time without burdening your computer’s performance. This is particularly helpful for team projects, as you can work in the cloud while keeping your local system running smoothly.

FAQs

1. How Many GB of RAM Should I Have?

2. How Many GB Should a Laptop Have for College?

For a college laptop, a minimum of 8GB of RAM is recommended to support tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and typical student applications. For those who require more intensive tasks, such as photo or video editing, coding, or multitasking, 16GB of RAM is ideal for enhanced performance. However, 16GB may not be necessary unless you frequently work with advanced software or large files.

Efficient Working with WPS Office

The RAM of your device is one of the main factors that affect how fast and smooth your system runs. You often notice its impact when your computer starts lagging while opening files, switching between apps, or just handling multiple tasks at once. But improving your system’s performance doesn’t always require a hardware upgrade—sometimes, the right software can make a big difference too.

WPS Office offers built-in cloud storage that helps reduce the load on your RAM. Instead of saving heavy files directly to your system, you can store them in the WPS Cloud and access them anytime, anywhere. This way, your computer isn’t forced to keep large files in memory, which helps free up RAM and ensures smoother multitasking.