PC RAM Upgrade in Amherst, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

PC RAM upgrade questions.

• Can my PC be RAM upgraded?

  Most can. Tower desktops are essentially always upgradeable. Business laptops (ThinkPad, Latitude, EliteBook) typically have user-replaceable RAM. Consumer laptops vary by model. Modern thin ultrabooks (XPS 13, ZenBook, some MacBook-style designs) often have soldered RAM that can't be upgraded. Microsoft Surface devices generally have soldered RAM.

  We confirm during the diagnostic. The clearest indicator is opening the bottom panel: visible SO-DIMM slots mean upgradeable; chips soldered directly to the motherboard mean not.

• What's the difference between DDR4 and DDR5?

  DDR4 has been standard since 2014 and is what most PCs from 2015-2022 use. DDR5 is the current generation, used in most PCs from 2023 onward. They're not interchangeable; your motherboard supports one or the other, not both. Your current modules tell us which type you need.

  For typical workloads the speed difference between DDR4 and DDR5 is real but not transformative. Don't replace a working DDR4 system to gain DDR5; the upgrade isn't worth it on its own.

• How much can my PC support?

  Depends on the motherboard. Modern desktops support 64-128 GB or more. Business laptops typically support 32 or 64 GB. Older PCs may cap at 8, 16, or 32 GB. We check the motherboard specifications during diagnostic and tell you the maximum.

• Do laptop and desktop RAM differ?

  Yes. Laptops use SO-DIMM (small outline) modules; desktops use full-size DIMMs. They're not interchangeable. Same DDR generation, different physical form factor.

• Should I buy specific brands?

  For most users, any reputable brand works fine: Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill, Samsung, Patriot. We use these brands. Avoid no-name budget RAM, especially in laptops where bad modules can cause hard-to-diagnose stability issues.

• Will more RAM help my gaming?

  Up to a point. Modern AAA games want 16 GB minimum, run more comfortably with 32 GB. Beyond 32 GB the gaming benefit drops sharply. If you're streaming or running content creation alongside gaming, 32 GB is more justified than for gaming alone.

• How long does PC RAM upgrade take?

  Same-day to 24 hours typically. Tower desktops are quickest. Business laptops are usually quick. Thin ultrabooks with hard-to-access RAM take longer (and many have soldered RAM that can't be upgraded at all).

• How much does PC RAM upgrade cost?

  Modules plus labor. RAM prices fluctuate; we quote real numbers based on current market.