After an SSD upgrade, adding more RAM is the improvement that makes the biggest difference to a computer that's starting to feel the strain. But not every machine needs it, and it isn't always the right fix. Here's how to work out how much RAM you actually need.

How much RAM does your computer need?

4 GB — no longer enough

With 4 GB, Windows 10 or 11 struggle even just browsing. If your machine has 4 GB, you'll notice everything slow down as soon as you have more than two or three browser tabs open.

8 GB — the comfortable minimum for daily use

For browsing, email, video calls and basic office work, 8 GB gives a reasonable experience. It's the most common amount in computers from the last few years.

16 GB — for working without slowdowns

If you tend to keep the browser full of tabs, run several programs at once, or use management, accounting or light editing software, 16 GB is where the stuttering stops.

32 GB or more — editing, design, virtualisation

Video editing, professional graphic design, virtual machines or CAD software call for 32 GB or more. If that's not what you do, it's more RAM than you'll ever use.

Signs you're running short on RAM

The computer takes a while to switch between programs, the hard drive light flashes or the drive makes noise constantly for no reason (Windows is using the disk as backup memory), and everything grinds when you have several things open at once. If closing programs makes the computer "come back to life," that's a fairly clear sign.

Upgrade RAM or switch to an SSD first?

If your computer still has a mechanical hard drive (HDD), switching to an SSD usually makes more difference than adding RAM, especially for startup and opening programs. Ideally, if your budget allows, do both at once — the two upgrades complement each other.

Can any computer's RAM be upgraded?

In most desktops and many laptops, yes. Some very thin laptops and several recent Mac models have memory soldered to the board and can't be upgraded — in those cases we'll suggest other improvements. We check this for free and tell you whether your machine supports an upgrade before you buy anything.

How much does it cost, and how long does it take?

It's one of the quickest jobs we do — usually the same day. Cost depends on the amount and type of memory your machine takes. We give you an exact quote once we've checked what modules it supports.