Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. Guides

How to upgrade the RAM on your laptop

By
Expandable RAM as seen on the Framework Laptop.
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Is your trusty laptop feeling a bit sluggish lately? Is it overwhelmed when too many tabs are open? Upgrading your RAM might just be the solution.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, plays a crucial role in your computer’s performance. When it runs out of physical memory, it starts swapping data to your hard drive, drastically slowing down processes. Here’s how to when it’s time to upgrade your laptop’s RAM and how to install it yourself.

Recommended Videos

Install your new laptop RAM

As long as you follow the instructions carefully, you will be able to install new RAM on your laptop yourself without any advanced tech knowledge. Before you start, however, skip down to the bottom of this article for more information on how to check your RAM usage, how to know if your laptop can be upgraded, and how to select the right kind of RAM.

It should be noted that the internals of laptops are varied in terms of design. The following steps are general advice that should apply to most laptops, though the details will differ from laptop to laptop.

  1. Turn off your laptop and ensure it is unplugged from any power source.
  2. Turn your laptop over so you can identify and unscrew any screws that will allow you to take the base plate off.
  3. SODIMM memory sticks are often held in by clips. Locate these and remember to hold RAM by the edges rather than covering the gold connectors.
  4. Remove the old RAM from your laptop by releasing the clips holding the RAM in place. 
  5. Insert the new RAM by holding it by the sides at an angle; the pins should align with those in the slot.
  6. Press down firmly on the new RAM until it clicks in place under the clips.
  7. Replace the base plate and screw it back on.

  8. Turn your laptop on and navigate to Settings > System > About. Here ,you should see the full amount of RAM installed. If it is incorrect, you’ll need to repeat the above steps to reseat the RAM.

Check your current RAM usage

Those are the basic instructions, but there’s much more to know before you go out and buy some new sticks of RAM. Begin by checking your laptop’s memory usage. With your most demanding workload open and running, open up Windows Task Manager to check and see if need more. Here’s how to open it:

  • Right-click the taskbar.
  • Select Task Manager.
  • Click on the Performance tab.

Here, you can see how much memory is being used compared to the total amount of RAM available. If you’re nearing the limit, upgrading might significantly improve performance.

Find out if you can upgrade

Next, you need to know if upgrading the RAM on your laptop is even possible. Not all laptops allow RAM upgrades; some have sealed bottoms or soldered memory. If you’ve got a recent MacBook or another compact laptop, for example, you’re probably out of luck. 

You can use tools like Crucial’s Memory Advisor or refer to your laptop’s documentation to determine if an upgrade is possible. Identify the type and speed of RAM your laptop supports (DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5) and the maximum capacity. If you can access your memory, you’re all good to go.

Purchase RAM that’s compatible with your laptop

Now that you know the type and speed of RAM your laptop can support, it’s time to purchase that RAM for your laptop. While it’s not necessary to purchase a matching pair of memory sticks, dual-channel RAM does offer increased performance. It also eliminates any potential compatibility conflicts.

You can purchase RAM to upgrade your laptop from the manufacturer’s website, or via online retail stores like Amazon or Best Buy.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Georgie Peru
Georgie Peru
Computing Writer
Georgie is a freelance writer for Digital Trends and other tech-based websites. With a degree in Psychology and a Diploma in…
Best refurbished laptop deals: How to find cheap used computers
microsoft surface laptop go 2020 on desk

While some folks like to grab the best laptops on the market, that isn't always the best option for most, and unless you're really pushing your laptops to the limits, you probably don't even need that power anyway. That said, if you do want to get some solid performance without spending a ton of money, then you may want to consider grabbing yourself a refurbished laptop rather than a brand-new one. They often tend to have minor issues that are cosmetic, and are usually refurbished by the manufacturer and provided with a guarantee, so you know that it works great. Not only that but going for a refurbished laptop is environmentally friendly since it helps reduce e-waste.

To that end, there are really great refurbished laptop sales that you can check out as part of Best Buy laptop deals, Dell laptop deals, HP laptop deals and Lenovo laptop deals. Alternatively, if you're in the Apple ecosystem, take a look at these refurbished MacBook deals, or if you still want to go for something new, you could consider checking out these laptop deals instead.
Best Buy refurbished laptops -- starting at $120
Best Buy's refurbished laptops are -- you guessed it -- Geek Squad Certified and while they may not be free and clear of absolutely all cosmetic scuffs they are still exceptionally clean and always in working order. Some of them even come with additional software like virus tools, streaming access, like Apple TV+, and much more. Of course, the best part is that you can get a premium and fully upgraded model for less, often with more storage, more power, and more features than you would when buying a base model brand new. You've got some great options from Lenovo, Acer, HP, Dell, Gateway, and even Apple to choose from. The cheapest models start around $120 and increase from there. The best way to know what's available is to head over and browse for yourself.

Read more
Best Buy just discounted this ASUS laptop from $430 to $230
Asus VivoBook 14 laptop on white background.

There's an overwhelming number of laptop deals out there, so no matter what you're looking for, it's going to be tough to narrow down your choices. If you need a companion device for your regular tasks for work or school, we recommend the Asus Vivobook 14, which you can currently get from Best Buy for only $230 following a $200 discount on its original price of $430. There's no telling when this offer expires though, so you need to make the purchase right now if you want to pocket the savings.

Why you should buy the Asus Vivobook 14 laptop
For a dependable everyday device, you can't go wrong with the Asus Vivobook 14. It's powered by the 12th-generation Intel Core i3 processor and Intel Iris Xe Graphics, plus 8GB of RAM that's usually found in entry-level laptops, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. It won't challenge the performance of the best laptops, but the Asus Vivobook 14 will be more than enough for simple tasks such as browsing the internet, typing documents, and making presentations.

Read more
Best student laptop deals: Laptops for college from $215
online web browser game list

Just 10 years ago or so, the idea of taking a laptop to class was just starting to become normal, with teachers and professors being 50/50 on whether they should be allowed. Nowadays, everything has gone digital, and having a good laptop for studies is important. Luckily, you don't have to spring for the best laptop on the market, and if you're not a heavy user, then you can go for the best budget laptops instead. Either way, be sure to check out our laptop buying guide, as well as some of our other roundups, like these laptop deals and Chromebook deals.

Below, you'll find some of the cheaper options of HP laptop deals, Dell laptop deals, Acer laptop deals, and Lenovo laptop deals.
HP Laptop 14 -- $212, was $269

Read more