What Does RAM Do for Gaming?
If you’ve ever been into computer specs, there’s a pretty high chance that you’ve heard of RAM. Theoretically speaking, it makes your PC faster and more powerful. But to be honest, it’s not that simple. RAM doesn’t directly make your PC faster, but it improves performance in other ways.
But how does RAM affect gaming? Will installing extra RAM improve your gaming performance? Will the FPS increase? Will you be able to play on higher settings? Well, that’s what this article is all about.
In this post, we talk about everything you need to know about the relation between RAM and gaming.
Interested? Let’s get started — but first, just a word from us. If you need to upgrade your PC’s RAM or looking to add some more storage to it, check out Computer Memory Solutions’ (CMS) portfolio of products.
What is RAM and how does it work?
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It’s temporary storage where stuff is stored for a short period while running. It’s the opposite of HDDs and SSDs that store data permanently.
RAM is responsible for keeping things running and operational. For instance, if you’re running an app on your computer, let’s say a web browser, it’s loaded into the RAM and kept there while it’s in use. When you close the app, it’s removed from the RAM.
Simply put, everything you’re using has to be loaded into the RAM so that the brains of the computer can access it.
How is RAM different from other types of storage?
RAM is often confused with other types of storage, like HDD and SDD. However, there’s a massive difference between them. In fact, they serve an entirely different purpose.
HDDs and SSDs are permanent storage devices that are used to store information for an indefinite time. For instance, if you want to store some photos or videos, you use a storage device like SDD or HDD. The information stored on such devices is not volatile, meaning it’s not erased when you restart the PC.
RAM, on the other hand, stores data for a short period. To be specific, it only stores something as long as it’s running. For instance, when you’re playing a game, its contents are loaded in the RAM and kept there as long as the game is running.
RAM types and speeds — what are they?
RAM comes in various types and speeds.
Simply put, modern types of RAM are faster than older ones. You might have heard of the DDR3 or DDR4 RAM types. Higher the number, the higher the generation of the RAM, hence, the better the performance.
The most common type of RAM nowadays is DDR4. However, a newer, faster generation is also available as of today, and it’s called DDR5.
Another aspect of the RAM performance is its speed. You may have seen numbers like 1333MHz, 1600MHz, 2600MHz. Well, these numbers indicate the RAM speed. The higher the RAM speed, the better performance it will have, i.e., programs will be loaded and unloaded from the RAM faster.
The general rule of thumb is to buy RAM with better speed. However, any modern RAM stick will suffice your gaming needs. Many other factors massively affect gaming performance, rather than RAM speed.
What does RAM do for gaming?
It’s time to talk about the effect of RAM on gaming performance.
If you want to hear a simple yes or no to whether RAM affects gaming performance — yes, it does. But hear us out.
Other factors are more important in determining a game’s performance. For instance, your Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), also known as a graphics card, is the most important thing in determining how well your PC performs in gaming. The CPU comes in second place. However, that doesn’t mean you can game with merely 4GB of RAM — RAM is important, too.
It’s better to find a sweet spot to choose your RAM. You certainly don’t need 64GB RAM for gaming, but 4GB isn’t enough either. If you want to set yourself up for at least the next few years, it’s recommended to get 16GB RAM.
However, the type of things you do on your PC also changes the RAM requirement. For instance, if you’re going to record your gameplay or stream it live to a streaming platform, you will need more RAM.
Plus, some games are affected more by a RAM upgrade and others aren’t.
In the end, make sure you’re getting high-speed RAM from a trusted brand. Plus, you should only purchase from a trusted seller, like CMS, to stay clear of any frauds or other bad experiences.
A final word
As now you’re aware of all the ins and outs of the relationship between RAM and gaming, it’s a great time to tell you about CMS.
Computer Memory Solutions is one of the most trusted sellers of certified, high-quality RAM and storage modules. After you’ve decided how much RAM you need, get in touch with CMS to purchase it.