Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors

Help Me Choose - Memory

Random access memory (RAM) can dramatically impact the performance of your system. 

Generally, the more memory your system has, the more it can: 
  • Deliver faster performance on websites and applications 
  • Open larger files more quickly 
  • Better handle files and applications opened simultaneously 
  • Provide better gaming performance  
How much RAM you need depends on the intensity of tasks or programs you intend to run.

  1. What is RAM?

    Your computer memory is otherwise known as RAM, which stands for random access memory.
    • Temporarily stores the flow of data.
    • Remembers frequently used programs, applications, and documents.
    • Along with the architecture of your system, helps determine how quickly applications perform and how many programs can be executed at one time.

  2. What is DRAM?

    Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) is a type of memory that is typically used for data or program code.
    • Requires continual power to maintain data.
    • Common type of access memory for personal computers (PCs), workstations, and servers.

  3. What is DDR5?

    DDR5 stands for double data rate 5, a type of RAM memory. It is the latest version of synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM).
    • Helps you switch between applications, open documents, and complete daily tasks faster.
    • Aims to increase memory bandwidth while keeping power consumption low in comparison with its predecessor, DDR4.
    • The fifth generation of low power double data rate (LPDDR5) runs at a lower voltage than DDR5, making it possible to offer higher speed of data transfer with lesser power.

Primary usage along with the memory

Before you decide how much memory to add to your new computer, first consider how you plan to use your computer.

If you’ll primarily be sending email and browsing the internet, then a basic memory configuration will work. But if you’ll be playing games, working with multimedia or performing other intensive tasks, you should consider adding more memory.
Memory Size Performance Level
32GB or more Great performance for multitasking across relatively large files and demanding apps.
16GB Good performance for working with large files, databases, and mainstream apps, complex photo editing, and high definition (HD) video editing. Good for high-end PC gaming and graphic design.
12GB Adequate performance for working with large databases, complex photo editing, and high definition (HD) video editing.
8GB Acceptable performance for basic apps and office productivity applications. Suitable for browsing websites, sending email, social networking, streaming music or videos, playing simple PC games, viewing photos, using CDs or DVDs, word processing, building spreadsheets, and other office tasks.

FAQ

A DIMM — or dual in-line memory module — is a series of random access memory chips mounted on a small circuit board. DIMMs are installed in sockets on your computer's motherboard.

DDR4 SDRAM stands for “double data rate type four synchronous dynamic random access memory.” Using DDR4 SDRAM helps you switch between applications, open documents and complete daily tasks faster.

A powerful processor only allows applications to run as fast as the computer’s memory capacity allows. If memory can’t keep up with the processor, then the processor ends up with nothing to process. With multichannel memory, each available memory channel duplicates the overall amount of available memory bandwidth. This allows the memory load to be evenly distributed between available channels, which in turn means higher processing speed. Triple-channel memory is the latest advance in multichannel memory, and as the graphics and processing demands of games and business applications continue to increase, triple-channel memory will be a vital component in a top-notch computing experience.

The speed of the memory you purchase or add to your computer is measured in megahertz. Most computers have either 2400 MT/s to 2933 MT/s memory capacity, which is very efficient in handling modern computer applications. By upgrading your memory speed, you will also be preparing your computer to handle future memory-intensive applications.

Intel® Optane™ memory is a system acceleration solution for the 7th Gen and 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processor platforms. This solution comes in a module format and by placing this new memory media between the processor and a slower SATA-based storage devices ( HDD, SSH or SATA SSD), you are able to store commonly used data and programs closer to the processor, allowing the systems to access this information more quickly and improves overall systems performance.

Intel® Optane™ memory is a unique technology that bridges a gap between ‘memory’ and ‘storage’. Like RAM it sits within the PC memory hierarchy. By placing commonly used data and programs closer to the processor, Intel® Optane™ memory allows the systems to access this information more quickly and improve overall system responsiveness. Intel® Optane™ memory cannot replace DRAM entirely. However, these two memory technologies complement each other within the system. The Intel® Optane™ memory module can be added to DRAM to increase systems performance.

Yes! Intel® Optane™ memory can be used to accelerate and type of SATA-based storage media, including SATA SSDs. However, the performance benefit of adding Intel® Optane™ memory will be greater on slower storage devices like an HDD.

You have choices based upon your requirements. Typically, if you need high capacity storage, you will choose an HDD. SSDs are often lower in capacity and tend to be more expensive. Paired with a HDD, Intel® Optane™ memory delivers increased responsiveness of an SSD with the high capacity of an HDD.

The main difference between 32GB and 16GB is the number of applications that can be accelerated. The 32GB module is ideal for power users who often use a variety of intensive applications, such as prosumers and gamers. It is also recommended if you play more than one game at a time.

The second time an application or file is used, it is accelerated and you will experience a huge benefit. On the third launch is when the full effect of Intel® Optane™ memory kicks in. Note: Intel® Optane™ memory prioritizes frequently used applications and files thus, infrequently used files and applications will fall out of cache.

There is no clear cut answer as to the number. This is highly dependent on the size of the game and architecture of the software you are using, as well as other software being used and the configuration of your platform.

Game play will not be that different between an SSD and an HDD based systems since the games are loaded into DRAM during play.
Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors