Does RAM affect download speed or browsing speed? Many people believe that having lots of RAM will mean that they have a faster download speed and quicker browsing speeds. But will this be the case?
After all, Chrome has been known to consume a huge chunk of RAM, leaving you with only a few MBs to make do with. This happens to the point where you could run discord and music in the background and still not consume as much RAM as 3 Chrome tabs.
So, are you interested to know whether RAM plays a part in browsing and download speed? To what extent does RAM influence it? And whether having more RAM would mean faster loading pages and download speeds? Keep reading!
Does RAM affect download speed and browsing speed?
How RAM Works?
Every program uses some primary memory to run. RAM is in charge of running all your applications and processes by providing that memory. The more complex the program, the more memory it would need.
When you start an application, the processor sends a command to retrieve the application files from your storage (HDD or SSD). Once the files are retrieved, there should be some workplace where the data could be manipulated or interacted. The RAM provides said workplace.
The RAM has a direct channel into the CPU function. Therefore, achieving fast speeds for you to perform your tasks. The more RAM you have, the more quickly you can perform multiple tasks – as is needed for different computer tasks.
What Happens When You Launch a Browser?
Like all your computer programs, a browser also needs a certain amount of memory. When you load a new webpage, it gets downloaded into the computer’s memory. If the webpage has high-resolution graphics – such as HD or Ultra HD pictures or 4K videos – more time would be needed to store that information in your computer’s memory.
The time needed depends directly on your processor (for which only 2GHz is plenty) and your RAM.
How does RAM Affect Browsing Speeds?
Depending on which website you visit, you will experience different browsing speeds. You will benefit significantly from more RAM if you constantly work with several tabs. Like, with 10 tabs open – which is very common – more additional memory will be required than simply one tab open.
More RAM will allow your browser to run more efficiently with multiple tabs opened at a time.
Effect on Download Speed
Despite influencing browsing speed, your download speed doesn’t depend on how much RAM you have in your computer.
The download speed depends mainly on your internet service. However, you can experience a slight boost in speed by upgrading your RAM. This is primarily because your browser has more memory to work with (as discussed above).
With that said, if you’re facing a slow download speed or your download takes too long to begin, you can achieve a slight boost, without having to upgrade your RAM, with these methods:
- Make sure you have enough memory cache – so your browser works more efficiently
- Restarting the router, browser, and computer to clear the cache wholly
- Having enough space on your storage device
- Switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection (Read More: Does The Length of An Ethernet Cable Matter?)
What Influences Your Browsing Speed More Than Your RAM?
Although RAM can influence browsing speed, it is typically not the culprit behind the bottleneck of browsing speed. Considering the PCs built today, a simple PC will have more than enough memory for simple browsing.
The following two factors have more of a significant impact on your browsing and download speed. If you’re facing slow speeds, you know where to look.
1. Internet Service Provider (ISP)
The high-end Networks give a speed of around 10 GB/s. Realistically, this gives a download speed anywhere between 10 to 100 MB/s. Considering some games today, such as Call of Duty Warzone, these speeds can be considered low – since an update of the game can be easily around 30 GBs!
So, if you think RAM is the reason behind slow download speeds, think again! While your maximum download speed will be around 100 MB/s, your RAM will be operating at speeds in tens of GB/s.
2. Network Interface Card
The network interface card on your motherboard majorly influence your internet speed. Most network cards can easily handle simple web browsing; however, they can cause bottlenecks during downloads.
Network cards are usually available in 10/100 format – meaning they can function on networks running 10 or 100 MB/s. The good news is modern motherboards come equipped with inbuilt support Gigabit network, they can reach speeds up to 1 GB/s – considering your internet service can provide those speeds.
FAQs
Is 4 GB RAM good for only browsing?
Although 4 GB RAM is okay for browsing, it is still recommended to have at least 8 GB of RAM. Windows can easily consume 30% of memory while idle means without running anything in the background. Your browser will run more efficiently if it has adequate RAM.
Does more RAM prevent videos from lagging?
Yes, more RAM can prevent videos from lagging. Larger video files above 1080p resolution tend to use the computer’s hardware, and the video player’s engine (e.g., Flash Player), especially with hardware acceleration enabled. With limited RAM, the video will lag and won’t be able to buffer appropriately.
Conclusion
The computer RAM does affect browsing speed. However, it does not directly influence your download speed. Furthermore, the boost in internet browsing gained from upgrading RAM is noticeable mainly when going from 4 GB to 8 GB. Beyond this, the RAM is highly rarely the source of the restriction.
And “Does RAM affect download speed?” Yes, but not wholly, however, the other components in your system should also effective enough to boost the increased download speed. A faster CPU, a better internet connection, or a better server will greatly improve your downloading speed.
