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Last Updated: 5 Aug 2022
If you’re looking to increase your PC performance, then upgrading your computer’s RAM can sometimes be a very cost effective way to improve the speed of your computer.
In this article, we’ll look at a few things like:
how much RAM usually costs for a PC
when you might need to consider a RAM upgrade
what to look for when buying RAM
what you can expect to see performance-wise if you are going to be buying and installing extra RAM
How Much Does RAM Cost?
RAM these days is fairly cheap, but prices vary depending on the generation type of the RAM – which is usually determined by it’s age – and also the size of the RAM in Gigabytes (GB).
Bigger is usually better here – the larger amount of GB available, the more memory space is available for your PC to perform tasks and this typically will improve performance (but keep reading for more details).
Computers released after about 2015 onwards will use DDR4 RAM, and this is the current standard used today, and nearly all new PC builds since 2017 should definitely use DDR4 (if they don’t that’s because they may have been using older-model motherboards that only accepted the previous generation RAM).
Before DDR4 RAM there was DDR3 type RAM, used by PCs released around 2008 – 2015. Anything older than 2008 (which is pretty ancient in computer years so would be pretty rare now) would use DDR2 (released in 2003), or potentially the even earlier DDR type RAM (released in 2000).
DDR5 RAM has been released in 2021 and basically represents the latest tech for 2022 builds.
In particular, for the more recent RAM types, its worth noting that the different types (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) are not compatible or interchangeable.
Your motherboard will only accept one RAM type so make sure you know which one that is before you purchase.
Each type of RAM will have a slightly different ‘notch’ position so that it’s not physically possible to mix them up or plug them into a non-compatible motherboard.
Typical Pricing for Desktop RAM in 2022
As a guide you will generally find the following price ranges for the RAM sizes shown –
Newest Standard of RAM (DDR5), for PCs built around 2021 or later:
DDR5 RAM is still very expensive as it represents the latest technology.
You’ll typically only be shopping for DDR5 RAM if you’re putting together a new build or upgrading a relatively recent pre-built PC.
Current RAM (DDR4), for PCs released around 2015 or later:
Note that the GB shown represents the total RAM capacity and this could be made up of a single stick or 2 RAM sticks. E.g. 8GB could be made up of a 1x 8GB stick, or by 2x 4GB sticks.
4GB stick – around $15 – $25 (DDR4)
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Price
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HyperX Fury 4GB 2400MHz DDR4 CL15 DIMM Black XMP Desktop Memory Single Stick HX424C15FB3/4
Zopsc DDR2 4GB RAM 800MHz Memory Module for AMD CPU Stable Fast Data Transmission 240PIN for High Anti-Interference and Antistatic for Desktop Computer, Plug and Play
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Laptop RAM Typical Prices
If you’re looking for laptop RAM, be aware that this is not interchangeable for a desktop or tower computer.
Laptop RAM is a lot smaller in length than the RAM which would fit into a desktop computer. Laptop RAM is also called SODIMM (referring to the size) RAM and looks like this:
Laptop RAM is physically a lot smaller than desktop computer RAM.
Prices for laptop RAM varies as well, and the same rules apply for the ages of the different DDR4, DDR3, DDR2 and DDR generations that we covered above.
As a rough guide, you should be able to find the following sizes of laptop RAM for the approximate price ranges below:
DDR4 RAM, for Laptops released around 2015 or later:
4GB stick (DDR4) – around $15- 30
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Title
Price
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Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 2400 MHz DDR4 DRAM Laptop Gaming Memory Single 4GB CL16 BLS4G4S240FSD (Gray)
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
What to Look For When Buying RAM
When buying RAM, you will need to consider the following factors:
RAM Type/Generation: DDR4 RAM is the current standard on newer builds (computers released from around 2015 onwards). If your computer was built between around 2008 – 2015, then it likely uses DDR3 RAM. Check which type is compatible with your motherboard, as they are not interchangeable.
Compatibility: Ensure the RAM you select is going to be speed and voltage compatible with your motherboard.
Brand: Pick a reputable brand based on their warranty, design, reliability, past performance and price. If possible, buy matching RAM sticks for optimal performance of your system. Some popular and reputable brands include –
Kingston
Corsair
Micron
Crucial
Mushkin
G-Skill
Size: How much RAM do you need? This will depend on your current computer hardware, and what you intend to use your computer for (general use, gaming, video editing etc.).
For general use, around 4GB of RAM is plenty, while gamers or video editors will want to have anywhere between 8 – 32GB of RAM. Honestly, anything over 32 GB is a bit overkill unless you have specialist needs.
What Performance Improvements To Expect
If RAM is the ‘bottleneck’ in your computer hardware, then you can expect to see a vast improvement in processing speed by upgrading or installing additional RAM to your build. The purpose of RAM is to assist your computer’s processor in storing temporary information for fast access during operations. If you have insufficient RAM this can cause laggy operation and a slow-running computer.
Upgrading or installing extra RAM can improve this for just the price of an extra RAM stick, but only if the RAM itself is the limiting hardware in your computer.
Only Expect Improvements If Your Current RAM Is Not Enough
It is important to note that installing more RAM may not noticeably improve the performance of your system unless you have an actual need for the extra memory capacity.
You can check this by looking at your memory usage in the task manager on your computer (accessed by hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del, then selecting ‘Task Manager’).
The ‘performance’ tab will show you your current memory usage – for example, below you can see that this computer has 4GB of DDR3 RAM, and 3.GB is currently being used of the 3.9 GB available. This PC has 4GB of RAM in total. Some particular programs may have a minimum recommendation for memory, which may be a reason to upgrade your RAM. Such programs may run slowly due to their extra RAM requirements, even though your ‘everyday’ computer functions may operate just fine.
Computer program RAM recommendations can be found under ‘System Requirements’ often published by the software vendor.
For example, here are the recommended system requirements for running Photoshop CC (according to their website), with the RAM requirements highlighted:
2GB of RAM will run this program, but users will notice better performance with 8GB.
How To Install RAM
Now that you’ve bought your extra RAM, you’ll need to install it in your computer (or laptop). RAM installation tips:
Line up the notch on the RAM with the notch in the slot to ensure it is oriented the correct way.
Push firmly until the RAM slots in fully, and make sure the tabs have clicked shut to hold it in place.
Install pairs of RAM sticks in alternating (corresponding) slots.
This video shows how to install RAM into your desktop computer’s motherboard slots:
If you’re working with laptop RAM the installation procedure is similar, but the slots operate a little differently. Laptop RAM slots in at a slight angle, and then is held down flat by two metal clips either side of the stick.
The video below shows how to install RAM into a laptop:
Conclusion
RAM is a fairly inexpensive component in your computer (unless you are dealing with the latest DDR5 RAM), but an upgrade in this area can lead to noticeable improvements in performance if your current system has insufficient memory capacity.
To purchase RAM for a current computer build, you would be looking at spending around $10 – $50 per stick, depending on size, generation type, and brand.
Factors to consider include memory type, brand, compatibility and size. For more information on RAM, check out our page on Memory.
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The purpose of RAM is to assist your computer’s processor in storing temporary information for fast access during operations. If you have insufficient RAM this can cause laggy operation and a slow-running computer. 
Some particular programs may have a minimum recommendation for memory, which may be a reason to upgrade your RAM. Such programs may run slowly due to their extra RAM requirements, even though your ‘everyday’ computer functions may operate just fine.
Your infographics way is very useful, I found another source for the people who love to read. https://www.techshok.com/
Thanks mate! Now I have a clear idea on how to get things running fast and smooth.
Very Helpful.Thanks
Thanks Henry! Glad you’ve found it useful.