5 Must-Know Facts About RAM
- In theory, the most RAM a person could have is 16.8 million terabytes. However, no laptop would ever be able to handle this.
- RAM is where a computer’s operating system is stored. As such, your smartphone also has RAM. For instance, an iPhone 13 has 4GB RAM.
- The difference between RAM and storage is that the former is volatile while the latter is permanent. In other words, RAM can clear when the computer is turned off, while storage will not (at least we hope).
- If your computer is running slow, you can consider adding more RAM to increase speeds.
- Whether the RAM is 32 GB or 64 GB, it is still small enough to fit on a microchip. This differs from storage, which needs much more physical space the higher you go.
Maybe you have all the specs for a new PC but can’t decide how much RAM your machine needs. Or you’re embarking on a new project and think the RAM needs an upgrade. Either way, you’ll have to pick a RAM size. Computer brands and manufacturers offer different RAM options.
Take a 64GB vs 32GB RAM, for instance. A drop from 64 to 32GB is pretty significant. What is gained or lost with a leap this drastic? How does the computer’s performance increase or decrease with a RAM upgrade or downgrade? Is there even a noticeable difference to begin with? Read our
In this article, we explore the differences between these two RAM sizes using full and side-by-side comparison and look at the history of RAM to better explain its significance. Ultimately, you’ll know how these two RAM sizes compare so you can make an informed decision.
64GB vs 32GB RAM: Side-by-Side Comparison
| 64 GB RAM | 32 GB RAM | |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Speed | 3600 MHz | 3200 MHz |
| Average CAS Latency | 16 | 14 |
| Average First Word Latency | 8.89 ns | 8.75 ns |
| Average Voltage | 1.35 V | 1.35 V |
64GB
- Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 Kit
- Aluminum heat spreader with unique and specific design element
- Feature Overclock: XMP 2.0 Support for Automatic Overclocking
- Compatibility: Tested across the latest Intel and AMD platforms for reliable and fast performance
- Tested Timings: 16-20-40
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More than enough memory for the average user | More expensive than 32GB RAM |
| Future-proof for years to come | Possible for memory to be underutilized |
| Your computer will be faster on average. |
32GB
- 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 Kit
- Aluminum heat spreader
- XMP 2.0 support for automatic overclocking
- Compatible with the latest Intel and AMD platforms
- 288 pins
| Pros | Cons |
| Will cost you less than 64GB RAM | RAM is not future-proof |
| Little possibility of running out of memory | markedly slower than a PC with 64GB RAM |
| Possible to scale up the RAM |
64GB vs 32GB RAM: Key Differences
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Size
The most obvious difference between 64 GB RAM and 32 GB RAM is their size. The former is twice as big as the latter. Double the size means double the tasks your computer will be able to handle. This bodes well for those running highly involved programs and apps on their computer. A computer with more RAM will simply be able to do more. (And it’ll be able to do it faster, too.)
Latency
Higher RAM can also bring a higher CAS latency on average. CAS latency, also known as Column Address Strobe latency, refers to the delay in your computer’s clock cycles. This delay occurs between the system’s READ command and when the data becomes available. The lower the latency, the better, which means lower RAMs have faster CAS latency.
The same goes for first word latency, which describes the speed at which your RAM responds to an action on the desktop. Larger RAMs can sometimes come with slower first word latency. This is just the price one must pay for better memory, it seems. Of course, it’s worth keeping in mind that this is often the difference between a handful of nanoseconds. You probably won’t even notice it.
Speed
64 GB of RAM will typically have a higher overall speed than 32 GB of RAM, no matter the latency or voltage being reported. This is often inherent to the very size of the RAM itself. The higher the RAM, the faster the speed tends to be. It’s not a hard and fast rule, of course, but it’s nonetheless pretty dependable.
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Voltage
Another similarity between a 32 GB RAM and a 64 GB RAM is the average voltage. More specifically, both RAM options use comparable amounts of energy. They’re both quite energy-efficient, which is the standard for most computer products. That means you’re getting super high speeds without draining exorbitant amounts of energy in return.
Future-Proofing
Your RAM should be future-proof. This means that the amount of RAM you have should be able to handle any future technological advancements, so you’re not left high and dry with a slow computer only a couple of years after purchasing an expensive laptop or desktop computer. More RAM means better future-proofing, making 64GB better suited than 32GB RAM.
Uses
When it comes to RAM, which size you prefer may come down to the work that you plan on doing on your computer. A computer with 32GB of RAM is a powerful device which is suitable for a wide range of tasks, such as creating content, working on large datasets, and editing videos. However, the much larger capacity of the 64GB of RAM gives you a lot more scope in what you do with it. This amount of RAM is more suited to someone doing a lot of gaming, software development, and other advanced applications with a demanding workload.
History: How RAM Has Changed Over the Years
In the early days of computing, back in the 1940s, RAM was predated by CRTs (or cathode-ray tubes). The Williams tube was the first example of this. It was capable of storing anywhere between 512 and 1024 bits — a mere fraction of what we’re accustomed to today.
IBM released the world’s first hard drive a decade later in 1956, offering 5 MB of storage for 50,000 dollars. ($10,000 per MB — what a steal!) From there, it was magnetic-core memory. This functioned like a broad form of RAM, becoming the standard for computer memory until as late as the 1970s.
Concurrent to the development of magnetic-core memory was the invention of the MOS transistor (a.k.a. the MOSFET, or metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor). This invention was both cheaper and more energy efficient, relying on silicon instead of magnets to store information.
However, the amount of storage depended on the number of transistors. It took 16 transistors to store a single byte, so you can only imagine how many transistors were required.
Modern RAM Needs
Thankfully, RAM is not nearly as expensive or as bulky today. As the history of RAM continued to grow more and more advanced, so did computers. In the 21st century, computers require at least 8 GB of RAM. However, most lean toward 16 GB or more, just to be on the safe side. (Future-proofing, remember?)
As a protective measure to ensure old RAMs can’t be used in new computers (and vice versa), manufacturers keep each new generation of memory physically distinct from the previous generation.
These differences in a generation do a great job of showing how much RAM has changed over the years. This ensures that no older computer gets fried by the sheer amount of electricity needed for the memory to function.
The inverse is also true, to ensure that no newer computer is unable to function due to lack of proper memory. This is where 32 GB and 64 GB RAM come in. With the immense capabilities of today’s laptop and desktop computers, many casual users and professionals alike need plenty of RAM to handle their daily tasks.
From video processing to photo editing to video game development and everything in between, more advanced tasks require more spacious RAM.
RAM Explained
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A computer’s RAM (a.k.a. Random Access Memory) is one of the most critical parts of the entire system. The RAM is arguably the one thing that determines a computer’s performance. Not only does it store all the information your computer’s currently using at any given moment, but it also provides apps and programs a place to do the same.
Used in conjunction with SSDs or HDDs, RAM is what sets the pace for your computer and its performance. Your PC’s performance and speed depend on the amount of RAM installed. As such, the more you expect from your computer, the more RAM you need.
64GB vs 32GB RAM: Which Is Better?
When all is said and done, 64 GB is better than 32 GB RAM. It allows for more memory, better functionality, higher speeds, and more tasks to run on your computer simultaneously.
However, does this mean that the average person will need 64 GB RAM for everyday tasks like emailing, browsing social media, online shopping, and streaming movies and TV shows? Probably not.
Most people will do well with 16-32 GB of RAM. That’s not to say that 64 GB RAM, or higher, is totally unnecessary. Some people — like video editors, game designers, IT workers — might need two or three times the amount of RAM as the average casual computer user.
At the end of the day, it all depends on what you’re doing and the workload. Use your best judgment based on the information above to make a pick.
Winner: 64 GB RAM
- Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 Kit
- Aluminum heat spreader with unique and specific design element
- Feature Overclock: XMP 2.0 Support for Automatic Overclocking
- Compatibility: Tested across the latest Intel and AMD platforms for reliable and fast performance
- Tested Timings: 16-20-40
