RAM Upgrade in Amherst, NY

More Memory for Slow Computers Where RAM Is the Bottleneck

If your computer feels slow specifically when you have multiple programs open, your browser tabs are reloading constantly, or your storage drive is thrashing during normal work, RAM may be the bottleneck. We\'re a drop-off computer repair shop in Amherst, NY, and RAM upgrades are regular work for us, especially on machines that came with too little memory for current operating systems.

The honest disclaimer up front: not every slow computer needs a RAM upgrade. The most common cause of slow computers is the storage drive (failing or just spinning hard drives), not memory. We diagnose first and recommend RAM upgrade only when memory is actually the limiting factor. About a third of the customers who come in convinced they need more RAM end up needing an SSD upgrade or other fix instead. We tell you the truth either way.

What we upgrade: laptops with user-replaceable RAM (most pre-2018 laptops, many current business laptops), desktops (essentially all of them), all-in-ones with accessible RAM. What we can\'t upgrade: machines with soldered RAM (most thin ultrabooks, MacBooks since 2018, Apple Silicon Macs of any kind). We tell you up front if your machine falls in the unupgradeable category.

Our Mac RAM upgrade page covers Apple-specific upgradeability (which is limited on modern Macs). Our PC RAM upgrade page covers Windows machines.

Signs RAM Might Be the Bottleneck

• Computer is fine for single tasks but slow when juggling multiple programs
• Browser tabs reload when you switch back to them after a while
• Storage drive light is on constantly during normal use (Windows paging to disk)
• Activity Monitor on Mac shows "memory pressure" in the yellow or red
• Task Manager on Windows shows memory usage at 90% or higher during normal work
• Programs close themselves silently when you open something else
• "Out of memory" error messages
• The computer became slower after a Windows or macOS update (newer OS versions need more RAM)
• Your machine has 4 GB of RAM and is running current macOS or Windows 11
• You\'ve started running creative software or other memory-hungry workloads on a machine that didn\'t have them before

What\'s Included in a RAM Upgrade

• Free diagnostic. Confirm RAM is actually the bottleneck. Verify your machine is upgradeable.
• RAM specification check. Identify the exact type (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5), speed, voltage, and form factor your machine accepts. Maximum capacity supported.
• Right modules sourced. Reputable brands (Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill, Samsung). Matched pair for dual-channel performance.
• Installation. Open the machine, install modules in correct slots, reassemble.
• Memory verification. Boot the machine, confirm full capacity is recognized by BIOS/firmware and the OS.
• Memory test. Run brief memtest to verify the modules work correctly. Optional extended overnight test for high-stakes installs.
• Performance verification. Confirm the symptoms that indicated RAM bottleneck have improved.
• Old modules return. Optional. Useful if you want to keep them as spares.
• Real warranty. Manufacturer warranty on the modules (often lifetime on quality brands), our installation labor warranty.

Common RAM Upgrade Scenarios

The 4 GB laptop running Windows 11

Older laptop with 4 GB of RAM that\'s become unusable on current Windows. Upgrade to 8 or 16 GB; the laptop becomes usable again. Often paired with SSD upgrade for the best result.

The home office worker who needs more multitasking

Customer working from home with multiple browser windows, Outlook, Teams, and other apps open simultaneously. 8 GB of RAM is no longer enough. Upgrade to 16 or 32 GB.

The creative professional

Designer, photographer, video editor whose work has gradually outgrown 16 GB. Upgrade to 32 or 64 GB on machines that support it.

The gaming PC builder

Custom gaming rig with 16 GB, owner wants 32 GB for newer games and content creation. Standard upgrade on a tower.

The "I thought I needed RAM but really need SSD"

Customer was sure RAM was the problem; diagnostic shows storage is the actual bottleneck. We redirect to SSD upgrade.

The unupgradeable machine

Customer has a thin ultrabook or modern Mac with soldered RAM. We have an honest conversation: more RAM isn\'t available; alternatives include accepting current performance, upgrading other things (storage), or replacement.

The "double the existing RAM" upgrade

Machine has 8 GB; customer wants 16 GB. Add a matched 8 GB module if there\'s an empty slot, or replace existing with two new 8 GB modules if there isn\'t.

The mismatched RAM cleanup

Existing system has mismatched modules running below dual-channel speed. Replace with matched pair for full performance.

Why Choose Us for RAM Upgrades

Diagnostic first. We confirm RAM is actually the bottleneck before recommending the upgrade.

Right modules for your machine. Type, speed, voltage, capacity all matched correctly.

Reputable brands. Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, others with track records.

Matched pairs for dual-channel. Best performance configuration.

Memory testing. Verify modules work correctly before handing back.

Mac and PC, both.

The work happens here.

Honest about unupgradeable machines. If we can\'t add RAM, we tell you up front.

How Pricing Works

Two parts: modules and labor. RAM prices fluctuate based on market conditions.

Service Areas

• Amherst, NY
• Buffalo, NY
• Williamsville, NY
• Tonawanda, NY
• Cheektowaga, NY
• Clarence, NY
• Kenmore, NY
• Lancaster, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

Real questions about RAM upgrades.

• How do I know if I need more RAM?

  The clearest signs: the computer slows dramatically when you have multiple programs open at once, the storage drive light is on constantly during normal use (Windows is paging to disk because there isn't enough RAM), Activity Monitor on Mac shows "memory pressure" yellow or red, Task Manager on Windows shows memory at 90%+ usage during normal work.

  Less obvious symptoms: browser tabs reloading when you switch back to them, programs that close themselves silently when you open something else, "out of memory" error messages, the system feeling slow specifically when juggling tasks (single-task work feels fine but multi-task work hangs).

• Can my computer be upgraded? Is RAM soldered?

  Depends on the model. Older laptops (pre-2015 mostly) and almost all desktops have user-replaceable RAM modules. Newer laptops vary: some have replaceable RAM (most ThinkPads, many Latitudes, some HP business laptops), some have soldered RAM (most thin ultrabooks, MacBooks since 2018, modern Surface). Apple Silicon Macs have unified memory soldered to the SoC and cannot be upgraded.

  We confirm during the diagnostic before quoting work. If your machine has soldered RAM, the only path to more memory is replacement.

• How much RAM do I need?

  For everyday use (web, email, documents, video calls): 8 GB minimum, 16 GB comfortable. For moderate creative work, large spreadsheets, virtual machines: 16 GB minimum, 32 GB comfortable. For heavy creative work (video editing, 3D, large datasets): 32 GB minimum, 64 GB or more for professional use. For typical home and office use, 16 GB hits the sweet spot.

• Will more RAM make my computer faster?

  If RAM was the bottleneck, yes, dramatically. If RAM wasn't the bottleneck, no, you won't notice. Adding RAM beyond what you actually use doesn't make anything faster; it just means more headroom for future workloads. We diagnose first to confirm RAM is actually the limiting factor before recommending the upgrade.

• Should I upgrade RAM or storage first?

  Depends on your symptoms. If your computer is slow constantly (boot, app launch, file operations all slow), storage upgrade to SSD is usually the bigger win. If your computer is fine for single tasks but slow when juggling multiple programs, RAM upgrade is more impactful. Both is sometimes the right answer for older machines.

• Do I need matched RAM modules?

  Generally yes for best performance. Modern computers benefit from "dual-channel" or "quad-channel" memory configurations, which require matched module pairs (same size, same speed, same timings). Mixing modules works but may not give you the full speed your machine could otherwise reach.

  We use matched modules when adding RAM, often replacing all the modules rather than just adding to existing ones, especially when the existing modules are old or different speeds.

• How long does a RAM upgrade take?

  The actual swap is 15 to 60 minutes depending on the machine. Total turnaround is typically same-day to 24 hours including diagnostic and verification. RAM upgrades are among our quicker jobs.

• How much does a RAM upgrade cost?

  Two parts: the RAM modules themselves (varies by capacity, type DDR4 vs DDR5, speed) and labor for installation. RAM prices fluctuate based on market conditions. We quote real numbers at the appointment based on what your machine accepts and what size you want.