RAM & SSD Upgrades
For performance gains and increased storage capacity
Two key components in any PC or laptop are the memory (RAM) and storage drive. They both impact performance and capability.
More RAM is great for multitasking, essentially meaning that you can work on more things at the same time—think of multiple web page tabs in your Internet Browser while also working on Excel and Word documents.
The type of storage drive in your device will affect how quickly it accesses your applications and data. A modern SSD (Solid State Drive) will always outperform a traditional HDD (Hard Disk Drive) in terms of speed, but they have only become commonplace in the last few years. When PC manufacturers first started utilizing them, they had relatively small capacities meaning customers were restricted on how much data could be stored on customers PC’s and laptops.
Upgrading RAM and/or a device storage drive will sometimes be a better option than purchasing a new device if you’re struggling in terms of PC performance or available space.
Until recently, one of our main recommendations for performance gains was to upgrade devices by increasing the RAM and swapping out the old-style mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD) with a modern and faster Solid-State Drive (SSD). However, things have changed in recent times with the impending end of support for Windows 10, because many of the devices with those old-style HDDs aren’t technically compatible with Windows 11 – there are ways around this and more detail can be found on our Windows Upgrade page.
In summary, the main reason to upgrade your system’s RAM is the same as it’s always been – enable you to do more tasks simultaneously. However, the most common reason for an SSD upgrade is to increase your storage capacity.
For reference, when upgrading your current device or purchasing a new device, for most people, we generally recommend 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. In some cases though, a 1TB SSD will be a better option, and if you can justify the expense, there will also be performance gains.
At Rother Valley IT, we can help with both RAM and SSD upgrades. Prices vary, but in some cases, the cost will be less the £100.00. Equally, we also offer Free Buying Advice and Computer Setup & Data transfer packages if a new device is the better option.
