RAM is an important component of your laptop. While the amount of RAM that ships with your laptop is good for the first few years, most of us might require more computing power a couple of years later. Of course, there are multiple reasons to it such as frequent OS updates and software that demand more memory. If your laptop is running slow, there are chances that adding more RAM can fix most of these issues. In fact, upgrading RAM is economical and you can even do it at home by following these steps.
Just remember, if your laptop is under warranty, upgrading RAM or opening the laptop might void warranty, and even damage it. Do it at your risk.
Checking if your laptop supports additional RAM
To know if your laptop supports additional RAM, you can run software such as Crucial System Scanner or CPU-Z on your system. Both these software are available for free and they display information about your existing RAM and if extra RAM slots are present in your laptop.
If you are using Crucial System Scanner, run it and click on the Scan button. The entire process should take a few minutes and upon completion, the software will display the entire system information along with upgrades you can make. Even CPU-Z works in a similar way, however it does not suggest compatible upgrades and you have to manually look for details of RAM slots, and the kind of RAM installed in the laptop, by clicking the Memory and SPD tabs.
These software are accurate most of the times, however it is also advisable to check laptop’s user manual for more accurate information. Some laptops may have non-removable or have RAM built into the motherboard. In such scenarios, upgrading RAM can be a complex task and may require support from the brand’s service centre.
Once you know you can upgrade RAM on your laptop, find out how much of extra RAM it can take. Most of the latest laptop models should support 16GB of RAM, however, if are using a high-end gaming laptop, it may accommodate 32GB of RAM. To check how much of extra RAM your laptop supports, refer to the software we mentioned earlier.
Opening the laptop’s back panel
Before you open your laptop’s back panel, make sure you turn off your laptop and remove its battery. Once you have removed the battery, unscrew the back with a compatible screw driver. In order to avoid electrostatic discharge from your body, make sure you ground yourself by touching any other metal object. Once you open the back, locate the RAM module (visible in the picture below).
This procedure may differ from model to model, and in case of laptops with non-removable batteries, it is fine if you don’t remove its battery. There are also some laptop models which come with an easy access back, which lets you swap or add more RAM without removing the entire back panel.
Adding the new RAM
Most of the laptops usually have an extra RAM slot where you can plug the extra RAM module. If you don’t have an extra RAM slot, you can remove the existing RAM and replace it with a higher capacity RAM. For example, if you own a laptop with 8GB of RAM with a single RAM slot, in such case you may have to remove your existing 8GB RAM module and replace it with something higher.
To remove the old RAM, press the clips which holds the RAM (Image in the left). Gently remove the RAM outside without touching the metal connectors. In order to add new RAM, align the new RAM module properly near its slot. Gently press the RAM at an angle of 45 degrees until you hear a click sound.
Push the RAM downwards until it gets locked within the clips. Once the new RAM is in its place, put back the rear panel and laptop battery. Turn on your laptop and it should automatically detect the new RAM module.
Upgrading RAM should make your laptop perform faster and it should add a few years to it. If you are using a really old laptop, you should definitely consider a new one from range of laptops. Before you do, don’t forget to read our guides on how to choose a new laptop, based on its processor and graphics cards. You can also visit your nearest Reliance Digital store and we will be more than happy to help you pick out your new laptop.
Regards,
Rachel Gomez
