If you've ever used a computer, you likely have heard about RAM. But, what exactly does it mean? What are the benefits of having extra RAM? And, most importantly, how much RAM do you actually need? 

Let's take a closer look at how to determine how much RAM you need. We'll start out by looking at the basics. Then, we'll go over what type of use cases require specific amounts of RAM. Finally, we'll cover how to find out how much RAM your computer uses. 

What Is RAM? 

RAM stands for random access memory. It's essentially a storage space where your operating system stores data like programs, files, documents, pictures, videos, music, etc. When you open up a program, it takes up memory.  

In fact, the more RAM intensive you have, the faster your computer runs because it doesn't have to wait for information to load into memory. This makes it easier to multitask. 

The Benefits of Having More Memory 

You might wonder why you'd want to add more RAM to your computer. There are several reasons. First off, there are many applications that use lots of memory. 

These include video editing software, photo editors, graphic design tools, and even gaming apps. If you run one of those apps, chances are you'll end up running low on memory. 

Another reason to increase your memory is if you plan to buy a high-end graphics card. For example, if you decide to upgrade to a 4K monitor, you'll need enough memory to store the images being displayed on the screen. 

A third reason to consider adding more memory is if you're planning to install multiple hard drives on your computer. Each additional drive requires more memory. 

How Much RAM Do I Have? 

The amount of memory installed on your computer matters because it affects performance, battery life, and compatibility with third-party software. Here are three ways to check out how much RAM you've got. 

Under device specifications, you'll see installed RAM. If your System type is listed under "32-bit operating system," you can't use more than 4GB of memory even though you might have 8GB installed. 

To check what version of Windows you're running, look at the bottom left corner of your desktop. If it says "Windows 7/8/10," you're running a 32-bit version of Windows. For 64-bit versions, it will say "64-bit." 

On macOS, open the apple menu at the top left of the screen and choose about this mac. Under device specifications, there will be a line showing installed RAM. 

If your OS is listed as 32-bit, you can only use up to 4GB of RAM no matter how much you have installed. A 64-bit version of macOS will allow you to use the full amount of memory you have installed. 

How Much Computer Memory Do I Need? 

RAM is one of those things that most people don't think about until it's too late. If you're looking to upgrade your PC, you'll want to make sure you buy enough memory to comfortably run your programs and games. 

You might even consider adding more memory later on if you find yourself running out of space. But what exactly do you need? Let's take a look at how much memory different types of PCs require. 

The amount of memory required depends on several factors including processor speed, operating system, number of applications installed, and whether you plan to use your computer for gaming. We've listed the recommended RAM requirements for each category below. 

The amount of memory in your computer determines whether it can run programs efficiently. If you're looking to buy a laptop, you'll want to keep in mind what type of tasks you plan on doing while on the go. 

For example, if you plan on running video editing software, you'll probably want to consider getting 8GB of RAM, since 4GB isn't enough to do anything decent. On the flip side, if you just use your computer for browsing the web and writing emails, 2GB might be plenty. 

RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB), megabytes (MB) or kilobytes (KB). To figure out how many GB you need, divide the total number of MB needed by 1,024. So, if you need 16 GB of RAM, you'd multiply 16,000,000 MB by 1024 to find the answer. You could also convert the number into KB by dividing it by 1,024. 

Video RAM Is Separate 

The amount of memory used by a computer’s GPU, or graphics processing unit, isn’t necessarily the same as the total amount of RAM installed inside. In fact, there are usually separate sections for both types of memory. 

VRAM stands for video random access memory, and it’s located directly behind your screen. Your graphics card uses this space to store images that it sends to your monitor. 

This is different from the main RAM, or system RAM, which stores everything else in your PC. You might have 2GB of RAM in your laptop, but if you don’t install enough VRAM, your game won’t run smoothly. 

You can check how much VRAM your graphics card has by opening up Device Manager. Look under the Display adapters section. If you see something like NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 Video Memory Controller, then you’re good to go. 

If you want to upgrade your VRAM, we suggest looking into EVGA’s XPG Viper ACX 3.0 cooling solution. It’s designed specifically to work well with Nvidia GPUs. 

How Much Memory Do You Really Need? 

The amount of memory in your computer determines whether it can handle certain applications and games. If you want to run Photoshop or Final Cut Pro X, you'll need at least 4GB of RAM. But what happens if you use those apps every day?