Is it worth upgrading my Laptop RAM?

Question

The current memory installed is 2x 8GB DDR4 2400mhz and I guess it's fine for what I use my Laptop for, but I've been thinking of upgrading to a total of 32GB RAM with 2x 16GB modules. I will have the same 2400mhz speed because that's the recommend speed according to my processor. I can easily go past the 60% memory usage and upgrading is something that would put my mind to ease when multitasking and gaming. My processor is a Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ Processor 6M Cache if that helps and it can handle 32GB of RAM. My system model allows a max of 32GB of RAM. Is it worth trying or is it a complete waste of money?

Answer 1

The way Windows uses memory, it allocates only 640 MB (less that 1 GB) of memory to each program that you run.  No more.  No less.  Having more RAM will allow you to have more programs open.  And if the program uses data files, have more files open (each in 640 MB of RAM.)  But it will not assign ane more RAM to your current programs.  



Today program are designed with to run on 8 GB of RAM.  Increasing to 16 GB will allow you to run more programs at the same time.  And to have more data files open.  But will usually not make a notifiable speed different in each program.  You can just run more at the same speed. 



Increasing your RAM to 32 GB will probably NOT make a noticeable improvement in speed.  You might pick up 5% more speed.  Plus as the additional RAM allows you to run more things, you begin to overtax the processor and can actually reduce your performance.



Unless you are running something like a CAD program or a professional video editor or sound mixture, you are probably not going to see any real improvement by going from 16 GB to 32 GB of RAM.

Answer 2

if you can afford it, go for it.

although, if you don't already have an SSD for your main C: drive, i would do that first, as it is more likely to improve your performance.

Answer 3

I doubt it. Most applications that generate data or manipulate it such as Video Editors can make use of the System RAM, Or perhaps something that relies on a Massive database might benefit from it. but most games mostly like the RAM to be on the GPU which is effectively a whole computer in its own right and there is where the functional processing of most really fast games will take place and generation and manipulation of images etc and even most of the gameplay will take place.  So the question really is Are there any games that need more than 16GB as a minimum?  I have no idea how you could be using even 60% of what you have. Perhaps you should check whats eating it.