Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 16GB 4000MHz DDR4 Dual Channel Memory Kit

Random Access Memory (RAM) is where data the CPU is working with is temporarily stored. More RAM is generally better, although there are diminishing returns above 16GB for consumer PC, while 32-bit versions of Windows only support a maximum of 4GB. Speed, measured in MHz, is another consideration, as is latency, but most importantly memory needs to be compatible with your motherboard: it'll either be DDR, DDR2, DDR3 or DDR4, and modern AMD- and Intel-based PCs use DDR4 memory alone. Smaller SODIMM modules for laptops and mini PCs and ECC registered memory for servers are all available in this category.

Random-access memory, or RAM, is an essential component in all devices, from PCs to smartphones to game consoles. Without RAM, doing just about anything on any system would be much, much slower. On the flip side, not having enough for the application or game you’re trying to run can bring things to a crawl or even prevent them from running at all.

But what is RAM exactly? In a nutshell, it’s a high-speed component that temporarily stores all the information a device needs both right now and imminently. Accessing data in RAM is insanely fast, unlike hard drives that are slower but provide long-term storage.