Just like CPU, input/output devices, and storage are integral parts of a computer, RAM is also one of the backbones of computing devices. It is a volatile memory responsible for storing OS, applications & programs and data currently being utilized so the CPU can access them quickly. As a computer’s main memory, RAM enables faster reading and writing than other storage like hard disks, solid-state drives etc. Thus, it helps you to quickly resume your work while keeping an account of all the background applications. However, RAM is also one that runs out of memory.
Why is More RAM Used in Today’s Time?
- Applications Take up Considerable Share of RAM: Earlier laptops with 4GB RAM were considered the best for most intensive applications. But, today, its contribution is limited to basic applications. Now the applications are much more potent with added features, forcing them to consume more RAM.
- Usage of RAM Intensive Applications: With the increasing app complexity, programs tend to use more RAM. A giant Excel sheet, Photoshop app or other graphics-intensive games may use GBs of RAM.
- Reducing Prices of RAM: With the advent of technology, the prices of RAM have been reduced considerably, making it more affordable to purchase.
- The more RAM, the more programs can handle simultaneously: With insufficient RAM, your computer will rely on external storage like SSD or hard disk, which can slow down computers.
Agreed, the more RAM, the better the performance will be.
But how much RAM do you need? Is the Laptop with 8GB RAM Enough?
The amount of RAM you select will depend on what software you run and how much you use your laptop. To find out whether 8GB is enough, you should find out two things (if you are a Windows user).
- Check the operating system (OS) if it is 32-bit or 64-bit. If your OS is 32-bit, pair it with 4GB RAM. If the OS is 64-bit, you can get 8GB RAM.
- What Programs Do You Want to Run on Your 8GB Laptop? If you plan to do some basic work, then 8GB is good. It can help you with multitasking. For web browsing, it allows you to open 30+ tabs simultaneously. It also supports photo editing and most games, except those that require a decent graphics card. Simply put, 8GB RAM is for those who want to do productivity tasks and aren’t looking forward to playing modern gaming titles. For memory intensive, you may have to look for more than 8GB.
In short, the answer to the question is yes, a laptop with 8GB RAM is enough for those most users who:
- Utilize a laptop for office work, basic level gaming and watching YouTube.
- Uses a laptop for schoolwork, making assignments and basic web browsing.
- Do video editing at a medium level for FHD videos.
- Work while opting for 10+ tabs simultaneously.
- Uses software development tools that don’t consume much RAM.
Scenarios Where You May Need More than 8GB RAM:
- If you are a professional gamer playing intensive games on a laptop.
- If you tend to open multiple apps with the browser running 10-15 tabs.
- If you are a video editor who regularly renders 4k videos.
- If you are into app development or CAD
- If you are a software developer, get a higher RAM than 8 GB. It will offer you a smooth experience.
Which RAM to Choose for a Laptop with 8GB: DDR4 or DDR3 RAM?
You will find a variety of RAMs in the market, but DDR3 and DDR4 RAMs are the newest. Out of both, DDR4 is the latest and the fastest. There are significant differences between these two RAMs. If you look at their performance, DDR4 RAM is better in using regular apps such as Chrome. The difference between DDR3 and DDR4 RAM is insignificant. But it’s still noticeable. When it comes to gaming, both RAM relies on GPU. However, you get better performance with a powerful GPU and DDR4 RAM. Overall, DDR4 is better. But DDR3 is still fast RAM for many users, based on how they plan to use it.
Conclusion:
Ideally, laptops with 8GB RAM laptop are sufficient for a quality experience. This isn’t one size fits all answer to how much RAM you need. But, overall, it could be said that 8GB RAM is sufficient for most tasks and as long as you perform basic productive tasks or multitask.