RAM plays an important role in your computer’s overall performance. A slow or low RAM can result in system lags, slow loading, and system hangs. Laptops generally come with a sufficient amount and speed of RAM based on the CPU. However, in most laptops, you have room for some kind of degradation. Most low-end and even mid-range laptops will have one empty slot for the RAM degradation. If your laptop has 8GB of RAM, most probably, there will be a single RAM module installed on one of the two available RAM slots.
Now, if you want to upgrade the RAM, it is important to check if there is a free slot on the motherboard. Most laptops have 2 RAM slots and you check if there is an empty slot either by opening the laptop or the task manager. We will discuss all of it in the upcoming sections.
Note: We are talking about the Windows Laptops only (not MacBooks). Also, only the MacBooks manufactured in 2015 and before that had removable RAM sticks. All modern MacBooks have soldered RAM which can be upgraded by a specialist.
How to check for the empty RAM slot in your laptop?
There are two main methods to confirm whether there is an empty RAM slot in your laptop or if there is more than one.
1. Using Task Manager
- Just right-click the taskbar in the Windows and click Task Manager. Alternatively, you can search in the Windows search bar for the Task Manager.
- In the task manager menu, go to the Performance tab and choose the memory section.
In the performance statistics section below the graph, check for the Slots Used section and see if there is an empty slot there. In my case, 2 of 2 is written which means both the available RAM slots are equipped with two RAM modules. If there is an empty slot, 1 of 2 would have been written there.
2. Opening the laptop
This is the direct way to see if the laptop has an empty slot or not. The process of opening a laptop will be discussed below in this article. So, you can go directly there if you want.
How to buy the right RAM for your laptop?
1. Match Specs with the existing RAM
If you just want to extend the RAM and keep the existing one there, it is best to just check the specifications and buy the same RAM or one with the same specs. I would recommend Googling your laptop’s name and visiting its official page. There, find the specs or tech specs sections where the memory specifications would be written.
Alternatively, if you can open the laptop or have already opened it, just look at the memory stick and see its specifications on the label. You can just get the same RAM by its product number or another one with the same frequency and DDR variant.
Your laptop specifications may show support for a faster and higher frequency RAM but the laptop has a slower RAM with the same DDR variant. In this case, if you install RAM with a higher speed, both the RAM sticks will work at the same speed as the slower RAM. For example, the Legion 5i 14th Gen laptop (whose specs are shown above) has memory support for up to 32GB 5600MHz DDR5 RAM. All the models in this range come with the 16GB 5600MHz DDR5 RAM. Now, if install a new 4800MHz 16GB RAM, both will work at 4800MHz.
2. Form Factor
As long as you are buying the right DDR variant based on your laptop’s specs, you will have no issues with the form factor. No DDR variants (DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5) are physically compatible with each other.
However, keep a thing in mind that the desktop RAMs have different form-factor and you mistakenly don’t buy that for your laptop. Even though the DDR versions will be the same the form factor of a laptop RAM (SODIMM) is different from the desktop RAM (DIMM).
Laptop RAMs have SODIMM (Small Outline Dual-Inline Memory Module) which is roughly half of the size of the DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module) for desktops. The pin count of these RAMs is as follows:
- DDR1: 200 pins
- DDR2: 200 pins
- DDR3: 204 pins
- DDR4: 260 pins
- DDR5: 262 pins
3. DDR Variants
Now, comes the most important part. Once you have confirmed the supported DDR variant by looking at the specs or the existing RAM, you can grab any RAM of the same variant. Unlike desktops, you don’t have to worry about two DDR variants (supported by CPU) and check for the motherboard’s memory specs to get the right RAM. Laptops will support just one DDR variant so all you can do is to upgrade to higher performance and capacity if there is room for it.
4. Frequency and Latency
Now, matching the frequency and latency is important to get the most out of both of your RAMs. As we discussed above, if the laptop already has a RAM stick with the highest supported performance, it is best to choose another one with the same specs. The speed of the RAM with the least frequency will be adjusted as the default speed for both the RAMs. The same goes for the latency numbers. Higher latency means slower response times. Two RAMs with different latency numbers will work on the same latency as the one with the higher latency.
This means if you want to upgrade the RAM with higher frequency (if the laptop supports it), you’ll have to upgrade all the RAM sticks at the same time. Again, the same thing for the latency.
The next point is about the laptop’s memory specification and overkill. If you just checked that your laptop can have a DDR5 4800 MHz RAM, you should try to get within this frequency range. Even though your laptop will accept a higher DDR5 frequency (e.g. 5600 MHz), the RAM will still operate at 4800 MHz.
5. Capacity
Make sure to match the RAM capacities of both the RAM sticks and stay within the maximum supported capacity of your laptop. Now, some people would argue that laptops support different RAM capacities as long as they are of the same DDR variants. This is true but they often forget about how the dual-channel memory work in computers.
Importance of matching capacity to utilize dual-channel memory
If your laptop has dual-channel memory support, the system won’t be able to use it properly without the same size of memory chips. With different RAM sizes, your laptop will get into the ‘flex‘ mode. In this mode, the system will use an equal amount of both the RAM sticks in the dual-channel mode. The remaining memory space in the larger memory will operate in single-channel mode.
For example, if you have an 8 GB stick and a 4 GB stick, 4 GB from each will run in dual-channel mode, while the remaining 4 GB from the 8 GB stick will run in single-channel mode.
Another reason mismatched capacities can lead to reduced performance is that the memory controller may operate in a more limited mode. Different sizes require more complex memory management by the controller which leads to an extra overhead.
But, this wouldn’t be a matter if your laptop just had single-channel memory support. In that case, you can install two RAM sticks of different capacities. But, still, it is always recommended to match the capacity of two RAM sticks as well.
6. Brand
It is good to pick a good brand when choosing a RAM. Without RAM, your system wouldn’t even boot up. So, make sure to get a good quality RAM from a reputed brand. However, for upgrading, it is good to find the same model of RAM from the same brand that is already installed on your laptop.
How to Install RAM in your Laptop?
Make sure to disconnect any power cable or other things connected to the laptop before starting the installation.
Important Note: Opening your laptop and upgrading the RAM generally don’t void the warranty but check your manufacturer’s guidelines before proceeding. Also, a little physical hit to the internal component or improper handling can easily damage your laptop. So, if you aren’t sure if you can perform these steps, please get it done from any expert.
Not all laptops open the same way and have the same circuitry inside. So, there can’t be a universal installation guide for anything. However, most laptops in the market are similar to the HP 15-Series laptop that I own. So, l believe this is a “kind-of” universal laptop RAM installation guide. I will give you details about what you can expect with other laptops as well.
1. Unplug the battery (if external)
If your laptop has an external battery, just unlock it, and take it out.
2. Open the Back Panel (if required)
Some laptops (generally older ones) have small covers on the back below which the RAM sticks are installed. If that is the case for you, you can simply see how to install the RAM in the 5th step.
However, if your laptop has a fully covered back panel, take a small screw and start opening them one by one. Most laptops can be opened with Phillips #0 (PH0) or #1 (PH1) screwdriver. However, don’t force it if doesn’t work. Find the right screwdriver and check the laptop service manual for confirmation. Open the screws one by and once they are opened, pry the back panel out with a prying tool. You can use an old credit card as well if it works. I found nails to work pretty well once you have got some room in the corners. So, start prying from the corners.
There would be some plastic locks holding the panel in its place. If it is being opened for the first time, it is going to take some force and time to open it.
3. Unplug the battery (if internal)
If the battery is internal, it will have a connector connecting to the motherboard. Just take that connector out before you proceed. It is good now to wear an anti-static wristband if you have one.
4. Locate the SODIMM memory slot
Now, locate the memory slots. There are generally two types of slots i.e. one over another (stacked/vertical slot) and separate ones. They will look like these.
5. Install the RAM chip
Installing the RAM is pretty easy. You just have to push the pins at around 30° angle inside its slot.
Once it’s inside, push it towards the ground until it gives a click sound and lock at its place. That’s it. In case of a stacked slot for two RAMs (one over another), install the RAM in the lower slot first and then on the top slot.
6. Reconnect the battery and put the back panel on
Just reconnect the battery if it’s internal and tighten the back panel again as it was before. That’s it with the installation.
7. Test if the RAM is recognized and working
The good thing about the RAM installation in laptops is you don’t have to do anything extra to keep it running. If properly installed, the computer will recognize and show you the total available memory in the task manager. You can also go to Windows Settings>System>About to check if the new memory stick has been recognized or not.
I have also uploaded a video on Stored Bit’s YouTube Channel installing the RAM in my HP 15-bs000x laptop.
I hope this helps!