How to Install RAM on Motherboard in Your PC (2023)

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a vital element that you just want to set up in your PC construct. For these unaware, RAM is utilized for storing knowledge on a brief foundation and helps your pc run easily. The RAM loses all knowledge saved inside it if you shut down the PC. With the fundamentals out of the best way, you might be right here to learn the way to set up RAM sticks on a motherboard in your PC construct. Installing RAM on a motherboard is a comparatively easy course of, and it will probably assist prolong the lifespan of your PC if you happen to’re upgrading the RAM of an present construct. That mentioned, let’s not waste time and learn the way to effectively set up RAM on your motherboard.

Install RAM in Your PC: A Step-By-Step Guide (2023)

In this text, we are going to provide help to determine the reminiscence slots the place you want to set up the RAM. We will clarify how to exactly line up your RAM sticks with the reminiscence slots, which is the first concern for a lot of first-time PC builders. With that, let’s first have a look at all of the belongings you want to deal with earlier than the set up course of.

Things to Remember Before Installing RAM

Check RAM Compatibility With Your Motherboard

To verify what RAM is suitable together with your motherboard, you want to go to the motherboard producer’s web site and verify the QVL checklist in addition to the supported reminiscence kind. We have personally noticed our Ryzen APU-based system crash randomly with a DDR4 RAM module that wasn’t on the checklist and wasn’t designed for AMD computer systems both, although it was bodily supported on our B450 motherboard. Make positive to purchase RAM sticks which can be suitable together with your motherboard.

There are many Intel Raptor Lake and Alder Lake motherboards, such because the Z690 and Z790, which have DDR5 RAM help, which is so much quicker than DDR4. Moreover, AMD’s latest-generation Ryzen 7000 CPUs and AM5 motherboards solely help solely DDR5 reminiscence. They are clearly transferring on from DDR4 reminiscence, however Intel nonetheless provides you a selection between DDR4 and DDR5. You can learn extra about the identical in our devoted Intel Thirteenth-Gen i-13900K evaluate.

Ensure Your RAM Sticks Run In Dual or Quad Channel Configuration

Next, be certain that to get at the least two of the identical modules if you purchase RAM. In case you might be planning to set up much more reminiscence, refer to your motherboard guide to verify what number of out there slots you’ve got, and purchase a good variety of RAM sticks — 2 or 4. We have compiled an inventory of one of the best DDR4 RAM sticks you should purchase on your workstation or gaming PC proper now. To information you thru the optimum set up, motherboards generally colour code the DIMM slots as properly.

As for why you shouldn’t use an odd variety of RAM sticks in your PC, it’s as a result of they gained’t run in the optimum configuration. You should all the time set up RAM such that it helps Dual or Quad Channel configuration. Go by way of our information to perceive some great benefits of dual-channel versus single-channel. Thus, shopping for two of the identical RAM sticks (with the identical latencies and frequencies) or a reminiscence package with a number of RAM modules is beneficial.

How to Install RAM Sticks on Motherboard

Note: To keep away from static harm to your PC elements, we suggest you employ an anti-static bracelet and floor your self. You can also contact a metallic object to discharge the static electrical energy in your physique.

1. First, get your RAM sticks and the motherboard prepared. You ought to relaxation the motherboard on high of its field throughout this tutorial. If you might be upgrading your present construct, place the PC case horizontally to begin the method.

2. Next, find the RAM slots on your motherboard. Usually, they’re positioned to the correct of the CPU socket on the motherboard. These slots even have labels, which you’ll be able to observe down. Then, refer to your motherboard’s guide to verify which RAM slots to use for optimum dual-channel or quad-channel help. Basically, when you have two or 4 RAM sticks, putting in them in the precise slots that help dual- or quad-channel reminiscence is the best-performing configuration.

Note: Never set up a number of sticks of RAM with out confirming their correct set up slots together with your motherboard guide. Otherwise, they’ll run at a slower single-channel configuration.

3. Next, you want to open the RAM slots on your motherboard. To do that, merely press outwards on your RAM slot’s tabs, in order that they open up (as proven in the picture beneath). Don’t apply an excessive amount of stress, and watch out to keep away from breaking the RAM slot tabs. In many fashionable motherboards, just one aspect of the RAM tab tends to open up.

4. Next, line up the RAM module with the slot to visually perceive which orientation to set up it in. All RAM modules, be it DDR4 or DDR5, have a notch in the center, which ensures you may insert the reminiscence sticks just one manner. Now, you not solely want to line up the notch but additionally be certain that the RAM sits comfortably into the gaps on either side of the slot.

5. Now, place your RAM into the slot (with out utterly pushing it in). Once you’re feeling the position is right, take each your thumbs and gently press down on reverse ends of the RAM module. The RAM will press down into the slot and the tabs we opened earlier will now shut routinely, locking the reminiscence module in place. You will hear a click on sound when the tabs shut and the RAM modules are all completely put in.

6. Next, repeat these steps for all of your different RAM modules. Your RAM sticks ought to be firmly seated in the slots so long as the orientation is right. And voila! You have efficiently put in RAM on your motherboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DDR4 RAM higher or DDR5 RAM higher?

DDR5 is speedier than DDR4, however it is usually costlier. For a contemporary and future-proof PC, DDR5 is unquestionably the best way to go. As for PC customers on a good price range, the DDR4 RAM market is sort of mature, and you may get two RAM modules at an honest value. Also, you gained’t discover a major distinction between DDR4 and DDR5 RAMs, particularly in efficiency. So, you may go along with DDR5 if you happen to’re aiming for a future-proof system, but it surely’s in any other case fantastic to stick to DDR4 RAM.

Which slots ought to RAM go in?

RAM is meant to go in the reminiscence slots outlined by your motherboard producer. In some motherboards, the optimum configuration entails spacing out your reminiscence modules and putting in them in alternate slots. In some others, you’ve got to set up the RAM subsequent to one another.

Can I simply plug in new RAM into my PC?

If your new RAM is suitable together with your motherboard, then sure, you may merely plug in the brand new RAM modules and breathe new life right into a PC construct. Though, do not forget that a BIOS reset is routinely triggered by your motherboard every time new elements are put in.

Can I put DDR5 RAM in a DDR4 Slot?

DDR5 and DDR4 RAM are each totally different generations and have alternative ways of set up. Hence, DDR5 RAM isn’t suitable with a DDR4 slot.

How a lot RAM is sufficient?

The functions you run will outline the quantity of RAM you want. As a normal rule of thumb, 16GB is a adequate quantity of RAM to have in fashionable PCs. You positively want 8GB at the least, contemplating we’re coming into 2023. Many fans declare that 32GB makes an enormous distinction, and you may absolutely multitask so much with that a lot RAM.

Will extra RAM make my pc quicker?

It relies upon on your pc. If the present working system is operating gradual and there are system hangups when operating all of the apps you want, upgrading the RAM is an environment friendly manner to guarantee apps can run correctly and make the OS really feel snappier.

Installing RAM Sticks in Your PC Build

That’s just about the whole lot you want to learn about putting in or upgrading the RAM in your PC construct. By following the steps outlined in this information, we hope you had been efficiently in a position to set up your RAM sticks on your motherboard. Remember to fastidiously choose the correct kind and quantity of RAM on your PC construct, so you may get pleasure from a quicker and extra environment friendly computing expertise with none troubles. While RAM isn’t designed or supposed to maintain any storage, you may truly create a RAM Disk in Windows 10/11 utilizing this information. Moreover, if you happen to’re dealing with any points throughout set up, tell us in the feedback beneath, and we are going to get again to you.