As in many facets of life, within computing there are certain myths, some of which are based on reality and others have very little to do with what is true. And in this the RAM memory does not get rid of them. Let’s see which are true and which have no basis.
RAM memory (random access memory) is one of the main components and it has been essential for any computer or smartphone to work.
All those who use such a device, regardless of whether we are talking about a Windows PC , whether it is a Mac or an Apple iPhone , as well as an Android smartphone , should be familiar with what RAM is and its functions. .
The job of the RAM is to remember the calculations for a limited time so that the processor can read that data as many times as it needs until the computer is turned off, at which time the RAM is cleared.
Well, there are a series of myths with RAM memory that we are going to see right now to tell you how true or false they are.
Cannot mix sizes or brands of RAM
We assume that most modern motherboards will provide four RAM slots. Many users have heard somewhere that they should not mix memory sizes or brands, something that we must deny.
Of course you can mix modules and sizes and even different RAM speeds, but it will not be the best solution in terms of performance.
To get the best system performance, it is recommended that we use RAM from the same manufacturer, size and frequency, but there is nothing to prevent mixing everything.
The truth is that RAM works best when combined with the corresponding hardware . This means that this memory should be of the same voltage and of the same model, since their respective controllers must work well with each other and with the motherboard for maximum performance .
But this is only a recommendation with regard to performance, which does not mean that if at any given moment we want to add more RAM to a computer, but they are not the same as the ones it has, we can do it equally without problems, the only thing that possibly we will not get all the performance possible.
I don’t need more RAM
This phrase of “I don’t need more RAM memory” is something that can be true if we look exclusively at the moment and at the use of the computer in a partial way.
It may be that at that time and with the applications you use, the RAM is enough, but there are several details here.
Just because it’s good enough now doesn’t mean it can’t be faster . More RAM undoubtedly helps everything go smoother, faster and with less “effort” on the part of the device.
The fact that we are using a not very large percentage of RAM memory does not mean that in the future (and we are not talking about a distant one) that percentage will increase considerably, since with a simple update it may be the case that the program that so much we use all of a sudden need more memory .
Currently, as far as computing is concerned, 4 GB of RAM is already beginning to be a little below what we might need, with 8 GB being the recommended minimum size that makes the most sense.
If you want a computer to play, look to have at least 16 GB , being clear that 32 GB is not going to be unreasonable either.
What is clear is that having more RAM than we use at the moment is something that doesn’t bother and insurance for whatever the future holds.
Clean RAM to increase speed
One of the most persistent myths is that it says that we must clean the RAM so that everything goes faster. This idea began to spread around the time programs like “RAM boosters” and “memory optimizers” appeared.
Let’s be clear that the job of RAM memory is not to be empty , but to have useful data so that processes are faster and safer, that is, to help the processor with all that information.
Releasing RAM is something that does not reinforce anything about the operation , neither of the computer, nor of the smartphone or tablet that we have, rather it is the opposite, since we are deleting calculations and data that the processor and the system may need and that in this way they would have them at hand, without having to go back to look for them.
It should be clear that RAM is not the same as a hard drive since this memory is capable of automatically managing the data it contains, adjusting what it must contain to help.
If we have 4 GB of RAM, the system constantly writes, deletes, and rewrites frequently accessed data. Obviously, the more RAM we have, the better since we will have more space to save more calculations and data.
Can’t upgrade RAM on a laptop
Obviously updating a desktop computer is much easier than a laptop, since all the components are seen more clearly the more workspace we have.
This means that the myth that you cannot upgrade the RAM in a laptop is completely false.
There are times when changing the RAM of certain laptops is extremely complicated and must be done by professionals who are dedicated to it, but they can all be updated.
The same amount of RAM must be used
This myth must have become popular when people started to see that manufacturers always put two, four, or six RAM slots in their computers.
Well, you can use three bars of RAM if you want, but it happens as we have previously commented with the brand and size, it is advisable to use two by two for performance reasons.
If we have two identical 8 GB RAMs, they will run in dual channel mode, providing the most efficient and effective system performance, which is not to say that we cannot put a third, but we will not take advantage of all the performance that 4 modules would offer since it could happen depending on the card that we have that the dual channel support is disabled.
Because it has a lot of RAM it is not more powerful
If another person has more RAM memory in a computer, a high percentage of users would automatically think that the computer is faster than theirs, something that is not true solely for this reason, since the capacity or size of RAM memory is not the only thing that matters.
Among the most determining factors of RAM performance are its speed and frequency.
The higher the clock speed, the faster the RAM. The normal thing is to find frequencies of 2,400 MHz or 3,000 MHz, while 3,200 MHz or 3,600 MHz can already be considered higher ranges, although if we move in types of DDR5 RAM it is They can reach more than 6,000 MHz.
This means that two computers with the same RAM memory will not be equally fast, since surely one of them has higher clock speeds than the other.
Now you know which myths about RAM memory are false and why. Which did you think was true? Tell us on our social networks.
