Getting Started with RAM

I didn't finish this article, but some if it is useful, so i've published it anyway.

Terminology

• DDR -
• MHz - MegaHertz:
  • The number of times per second the RAM can be accessed
• CAS Latency - Column Access Strobe or often just “CL”
  • The amount of time the RAM takes to respond to an instruction

First Steps

• Read this article from whatintech.com

Where to Shop

• newegg.com
• ebay.com
• RAM Manufacturers

TLDR

• RAM Sizes (this is a bad explanation)
  • 2GB is tiny
  • 4GB is small
  • 8GB fits most needs
  • 16GB for almost all gaming & creative needs
  • 32GB is a lot
• Do RAM sticks need to be identical? (see crucial.com)
  • Prefer same brand due avoid errors
  • Match DDR4 with DDR4 (required) (or ddr3 w/ ddr3, etc)
  • Match voltage (recommended) or all RAM sticks will run at highest voltage
  • Match MHz (recommended) or all RAM sticks will run at the lowest MHz
  • Match CAS Latency (recommended) or all sticks will run at highest latency
• RAM Speeds: (see whatintech.com)
  • DDR4 Ranges from 2400-4400 MHz. Read more from crucial
  • "The “sweet spot” for most users today (particularly gamers) with the price in mind is around CL14 2666MHz to CL16 3200MHz." - whatintech.com

Where to learn more

• RAM Speeds
  • A really good article that will teach you about RAM speeds from whatintech.com: from Dec 22, 2020. Also, it tries to sell you some RAM sticks (paid affiliate links I assume) & idk about the sticks on offer.
  • List of RAM speeds & DDR generations from crucial
• Do RAM sticks need to match?
  • maybe do some searching
  • or see what crucial says

Check compatability with laptop / Motherboard

Can I trust this manufacturer?

Can I trust this seller?

Other stuff I'm curious about

• C-Die vs D-Die (something i saw as a difference between two samsung sticks)
• Crucial says most RAM sellers just assemble chips manufactured by other companies & there are very few actual manufacturers.