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From Work To Gaming | Which Laptop Is Right For Me?

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Not all laptops are the same, we all know that. One convinces with razor-sharp images, the other with incomparable power and the next is simply uniquely light. With the thousands of variants and options , it is easy to lose track of things. We will therefore help you to clarify the question: which laptop is right for me?

Laptop: what is important to know?

First, let’s start with the basics. Most laptops differ considerably in their basic properties , the built-in hardware and the installed software. So that you can make an initial assessment, we have put together a few factors that you should weigh before you answer the question “which laptop is right for me”. If you have answered these, you can order your gaming laptop in the GamingGuru shop !

First of all, you should ask yourself what you are actually using the laptop for . So you probably have completely different performance requirements when you need it for university than when you want to use it for gaming. In addition, the question arises of whether you want to transport it regularly or whether it should be a replacement PC at home, because that will also limit your weight. Last but not least, it remains to weigh up whether the laptop should be your primary device, because then it is of course better if all options are open to you with it. If, on the other hand, you also have a desktop PC, you can make some compromises in terms of performance.

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It depends on the size

Yes, you heard that right, when choosing a laptop, the size is definitely the decisive factor and, for some, the first exclusion criterion . The size of the housing is also decisive for other factors – particularly obvious: the screen size. Here we differentiate between five main sizes:

  • Very small: 10 “(about 25 cm)
  • Small: 11 “to 12” (about 28 to 30 cm)
  • Normal: 13 “to 14” (about 33 to 36 cm)
  • Large: 15 “to 16” (about 38 to 41 cm)
  • Very large: 17 “(about 43 cm)

A larger screen means that you have more space and that you can see more details – at least if the resolution and the corresponding hardware play along. This is also the reason why most gaming laptops have a large to very large screen, because this is essential for gaming.

Of course, the size also influences the weight of your laptop, because of course, the larger the case, the heavier the device. So, especially if you want to use your laptop a lot on the go, you should consider making compromises here. Laptops for schoolchildren and students in particular are usually narrow and small so that your arms don’t fall off when you carry them.

Out and about in the world: battery life

If you travel a lot with your laptop, you will probably place a particularly high value on the battery performance. In order to keep this as high as possible, some manufacturers refrain from excessively powerful models – because: Power needs electricity and both together are only possible in moderation.

Conversely, this also means that gaming notebooks rarely have a high battery power, after all they have to have enormous power to start various games. The same applies to laptops for photographers, because their displays have to show an incredibly wide range of colors, which is simply not possible without the appropriate power.

For presentations & Co .: interfaces

One point that many people forget when asked “which laptop is right for me” is the number and selection of interfaces. This is especially important if you want to connect your laptop to other devices on a regular basis. Do you often give presentations or regularly introduce new products at work? Then an HDMI connection (and ideally also a DVI connection) is indispensable.

However, if you want to gamble online, we can only recommend that you buy a laptop with a LAN connection . Because the fact is that a connection via cable is much more stable than one via WLAN – and what is more frustrating than when the message “Connection Lost” suddenly appears? If you want to gamble on your laptop, you should definitely have some USB 3.0 ports available. These allow you to optionally connect a particularly fast external hard drive or external graphics card.

Intuitive, practical & customizable: the operating system

When the question “which laptop is right for me” comes up, another decisive factor is the operating system . We want to anticipate that there is definitely the possibility of changing and adapting this after the purchase. However, in our experience, many laptop users want a finished end product.

Three operating systems that are particularly popular are currently established on the market : MacOS, Windows and Linux. Of course there are countless others in addition to these, but they are less well known and therefore usually not preinstalled on the laptops. The decision regarding the operating system should be based on your personal preferences.

Windows: Most used and widely loved

Windows has been the winner when it comes to the most widely used operating system for several decades. The majority opts for the Microsoft system, especially on the desktop PC . It is easy to use and can also be easily adapted to individual needs. Another big plus for gamers is that virtually every game runs on the latest Windows versions – the other systems cannot claim that.

MacOS: Simple and intuitive

The Apple MacOS, on the other hand, is still the test winner when it comes to intuitive operation . Since we are talking about laptops, it should also be noted at this point that Apple is definitely catching up here – but is still a long way from reaching the number of users that Windows is presenting. Nevertheless, if you use several Apple devices such as the iPad or iPhone, you will be pleased with the unbeatably easy communication between the devices. In addition, most games are now also optimized for use on the Mac – the question here is more whether the Apple hardware can keep up.

Linux: individual and tricky

Have you discovered your passion for programming and design ? Then you are well served with Linux. Because the open source operating system offers you countless possibilities for customizing and trying out and is even free of charge. However, it has its “quirks” and is rather unsuitable for those who are looking for a simple, intuitive way. Getting started is definitely easier with the user-friendly Ubuntu offshoot. But watch out for gamers! Not every game runs flawlessly on these two systems!

The ultimate gaming laptop

If you answered the question “which laptop is right for me” with a gaming laptop, then we would like to give you a few tips on the way. First and foremost, performance is particularly important for gaming: This means that the laptop should run stably even under high load .

In addition, it should have the best possible graphics quality , because this is the only way you can really immerse yourself in the gaming experience. But that is no longer a problem nowadays, because even the renowned graphics card manufacturers NVIDIA and AMD offer their flagships as powerful mini versions for the laptop. Do you want to know more about it? Then be sure to check out our article on gaming laptops .

Alternatives to the laptop

If you are still unsure and the question of which laptop is right for me has not yet been clarified, we would like to introduce you to some alternatives to the laptop that might better suit your needs :

  • Convertible models where you can switch between tablet and laptop mode.
  • Touch notebooks that you can use not only with the keyboard, but also with touch.
  • Tablets, which are usually easier and more intuitive to use (by the way, are also available with Bluetooth keyboards).
  • All-in-one PC for at home, with all the necessary hardware built into the screen.
  • Compact PC tower, a tiny housing that can be placed anywhere.

All in all, we can only say that there is a suitable computer for everyone. It doesn’t always have to be a pure laptop; convertibles have proven to be particularly useful in everyday university life. On the other hand, pure tablets are a great way for hobby photographers to edit pictures while on the move, watch videos, and just surf the net a little.

PC Water Cooling | When Is It Really Worth It?

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If you want to get more performance out of your own gaming computer , then you’ve probably stumbled across so-called water cooling. Again and again you hear that this is the ultimate option to protect the graphics card and CPU from overheating. But what is really true about these statements? We compare the advantages and disadvantages of a PC water cooling and explain whether it is suitable for you!

The basics: This is how water cooling works

Basically, the PC water cooling should ensure a more efficient heat exchange between the CPU, GPU, and environment. Particularly in high-performance computers, as is often the case with gaming PCs today, the individual components heat up strongly under load. Part of the electrical energy is released as thermal energy. If this is not removed quickly enough, the hardware can be damaged.

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The problems of conventional air cooling

Air cooling has been built into most PCs for a long time. And it is still very popular today. But it brings with it some problems that quickly explain the need for alternatives . Basically, this variant works with fins, which transfer the heat to a conventional fan. This then distributes the hot air to the environment.

The biggest problem with this is that the modern PC almost always sits in a confined housing . This also means that the heat emitted remains in the computer and continues to help heat the various components. Additional fans are therefore required, which then convey the heat out of the housing. However, these are also severely limited in their size and can therefore never provide 100% cooling capacity.

This is how PC water cooling differs

The big difference between water cooling and air cooling lies in the spatial separation between the heat absorption and its release in the case of the former. Because here it is so that a heat sink is attached to the component connected to a water circuit. The liquid absorbs the heat and transports it away.

A pump is used to bring the water to the radiator (also known as the heat exchanger ). This is usually located in the air space of the housing, for example in the front, in the lid or even completely outside. There are fins in the radiator that cool the water down again. In contrast to air cooling, these cooling plates are much larger because they do not have to take any other components into account due to their placement in the free space. In this way, the liquid can be cooled down more efficiently and fed back into the cycle.

Nevertheless, the name of PC water cooling is actually misleading, because basically it is not the water that directly cools. This is, so to speak, only the means of transport for the heat. On the other hand, classic fans are also attached to the radiator itself , which release excess heat. However, the whole thing is usually much more effective here, as the hot air is usually released directly to the outside and not back into the limited space.

When does water cooling make sense?

Before you decide on water cooling, you should absolutely be sure that it makes sense. Because it is quite the case that you can easily spend more than 100 euros on such a system . A typical, powerful fan, on the other hand, is only around half of this price range. In the meantime, there are also models that can keep up with inexpensive water cooling.

The main advantage of water cooling is that it offers greater efficiency . The difference is particularly clear with external systems. In addition, the PC water cooling is usually noticeably quieter than the pure fan version. You will hardly notice the difference in the office computer. However, if your PC often runs in the high-performance range, you can provide additional protection against overheating.

Especially when you notice that your computer is often slowing down due to thermal throttling ( i.e., the CPU or GPU performance is reduced to prevent overheating), water cooling can be very useful. This then ensures that your graphics card and / or your processor stays cool longer. So you can enjoy a smoother gaming experience.

Water cooling: when to change the water?

Have you decided on PC water cooling? Then there are still a few things to consider after the purchase, because just as dust must be removed from the fan, the water cooling should also be cleaned from time to time. As a rule, however, it is not actually necessary to replace the water. However, you should check carefully whether dust has deposited in it or whether algae have formed after a longer standstill.

If this is the case, you can rinse the individual components (especially the hoses) once with distilled water and clean them in this way. To prevent this, it also makes sense to use special liquids for water cooling. For example, distilled water with a little cooling liquid has proven to be very resistant. If you follow these tips, you will most likely never get embarrassed about having to change the water.

Final Fantasy Vii Remake | This Is What Awaits You

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Without question, one of the most popular JRPGs and hardly any gamer has completely avoided the hype. With 15 original game titles, over a dozen books and even some film adaptations, as well as pieces of music specifically for or based on the series, Final Fantasy is not only one of the best-known, but also one of the best-selling video games of all time. Now the publisher Square Enix has decided to reissue one of the most popular parts. Find out what you can expect from the Final Fantasy VII Remake and what you need to know before playing here!

Final Fantasy Vii Remake

Final Fantasy – a success story straight out of a fairy tale

Did you know that the original Final Fantasy part, which appeared in 1987 for the NES, was actually supposed to be the last release from the game developer Square? In fact, that’s where the “final” comes in the title. But what began as a parting gift quickly became the studio’s savior and so a series was created that still inspires millions of players around the world.

The origins of a legend

After Masafumi Miyamoto and Hironobu Sakaguchi, the founders of Square, saw no way out, they apparently thought that now was the right time to break all the rules . They wanted to develop an RPG that has never been seen before. Four heroes should control the players, who go through an open, gloomy world and experience adventures to ultimately save the earth.

Anyone who knows the background of the development will soon notice the depressive mood that overshadows the game and somehow gives it its unique flair at the same time . Ruins shape the landscape and in more than one situation you as a player have the feeling that there is no way out.

While the producers were already in the process of clearing the studios and looking for new jobs after the release – Sakaguchi wanted to start studying again at the university – the positive reviews rolled over. Suddenly things were looking up, and Square saved a whole new RPG series saw the light of day. But the original game was designed in such a way that it was impossible to continue. Without further ado, the pattern emerged that still characterizes the Final Fantasy Games today: New heroes always face new adventures with ever new game mechanics.

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True masterpieces: Final Fantasy VI & VII

In 1994 and 1997 Square celebrated further, at the time almost unimaginable successes with the classics Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy VII. For the first time, the player no longer finds himself in a medieval world, but in a post-apocalyptic world with a steampunk look.

The characters are also more versatile than ever. Sometimes you control a thief who sneaks up very quietly, sometimes a martial arts artist who only fights with his bare hands. The background stories are told in detail and cast a spell over gamers all over the world.

But not only that: For the first time, the developers also received praise for the unique soundtrack . The composer Nobuo Uematsu had his hands in the game and worked out memorable, catchy tunes for the players for days. Even today, the two popular titles are celebrated and played with as true fan favorites, which is why a remake was probably not too far-fetched.

A new age has arrived: Final Fantasy today

In the 10th part of the series , Square said goodbye to the steampunk world and moved on to cyperpunk. Metal structures and futuristic inventions shaped the gaming experience and referred to the series’ dark roots. But the company could not celebrate a real success again, so in 2003 Square united with its biggest Japanese competitor Enix. Together, the companies also managed to establish themselves in the western world.

The release of the two MMOs Final Fantasy XI and XIV was definitely decisive for this success . Finally the players could play together online. But at the same time one of the characteristics that had made the games so popular suffered: Suddenly, you were constantly only controlling one character. But the characters of other gamers came to the rescue in boss fights – a style that seemed to please, because even today, especially Final Fantasy 14, is experiencing an enormous increase in players.

Final Fantasy VII vs. Remake 2020 – a classic reinterpreted

The first rumors of a Final Fantasy VII remake surfaced as early as 2014. But it wasn’t until E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) 2015 that Square Enix made the announcement official. The reactions were mixed: some could hardly wait, the game was a true classic, while others were afraid of all the details that could be lost in the new edition.

The original FF7 appeared in 1997, more than 20 years ago . It is the first in the popular series of games to use 3D graphics. Specifically, this means that the game characters moved in front of a pre-rendered background. But what is now ridiculed as a simple production was the first cornerstone for the modern designs of the JRPG.

The story of the new edition

While the game designers have changed some of the graphics, the story remains fundamentally the same : The player will also control the former Shinra soldier Cloud Strife in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake. He has teamed up with the AVALANCHE eco-activist group to fight his former employer.

Reason: The Shinra organization won its money by unfair means. They withdraw all of its life energy from the (invented) planet in order to make a profit. In the long run, however, this process would mean the end of all life. So, together with Tifa, Aerith, Barret and Sephiroth, Cloud takes on the fight – you can of course switch between the characters as usual.

A graphics dream comes true

In the remake, the optics will look a little different than the original, because Square Enix naturally uses high-end technology here . A completely new gaming experience is offered graphically because that is the difference between the remastered and remake versions. Here you dive into new, previously unknown worlds, get to know a new Kapf system and can look forward to many new (but also old) acquaintances.

In the new Final Fantasy VII you can look forward to a real-time combat system in which you will also be able to use magical items during the fight scenes. The development studio has also confirmed that some of the popular minigames will also be reissued – which, unfortunately, we will only see when we play.

The full gaming experience

It is typical for the old Final Fantasy versions that the characters communicate exclusively in Japanese. That can quickly become exhausting for the German player. Because it means constantly reading the subtitles in order to really understand the context.

In the Final Fantasy VII Remake, however, Square Enix relied on full synchronization . In addition to Japanese, the game will also support the following languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Release

The release date was originally announced for March 3, 2020. However, Square Enix announced in January 2020 that the release would be postponed by one month to April 10, 2020 . According to Yoshinori Kitase, one of the game producers, the reason for this decision is that you need a little more time to fine-tune the game.

However, this date only applies to all PS4 players, because PC gamers and Xbox fans will have to wait another year . However, it is already clear that the game will definitely be released in individual episodes – how many is not yet known.

Final Fantasy 7 PC system requirements

Even if it will take a while before the PC version of the FF7 Remake finally appears, there is already some information on the minimum requirements . So that you can prepare yourself extensively and in good time for the release and then not be surprised with lags and pixel mud, we have summarized the system requirements (as of the end of January 2020) here.

After the one year of Sony exclusivity has expired, you may need to upgrade your computer, because the new JRPG is not completely undemanding. You should have at least an Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz or an AMD FX-8320 installed as a processor. However, for the full gaming experience, an Intel Core i7-6700K 4-core 4.0 GHz or AMD Ryzen R5 1600 is recommended.

As a graphics card, you should at least use a GeForce GTX 960 (2GB) or the Radeon equivalent R9 380. However, for the ultimate setting, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 or an AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (8GB) is required. Your RAM is best between 8 to 16 GB and you should definitely get DirectX 11 up and running. You can also expect the FF7 to take up around 50 GB of your hard drive.

Case Modding For Beginners | What Is Actually Possible?

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PC components around which fish swim, microwaves in which a real monster PC has found its home and of course many colorful LEDs that illuminate the whole thing in an exciting way. Have you ever seen these crazy pictures? All of them are – albeit particularly unusual – examples of case modding. How this actually works and what is possible if you want to put your gaming PC in the limelight at home , we’ll tell you now!

Case Modding For Beginners

What is case modding anyway?

Anyone who gamble has probably heard of PC modding or computer modding. Both terms basically refer to the same phenomenon. Roughly broken down, modding is derived from the English “modification”, meaning change. And that’s exactly what it’s about: changing the look and technical components of a computer.

On the other hand, case modding specifically deals with the design of the housing – the case. For this purpose, the various components are set in scene using LEDs, for example, and the outer and inner walls as well as the various components are painted and given logos.

So that you can really marvel at this spectacle while gambling, the right housing must of course also be found. Plexiglass is often used to make the inside of the PC visible. Sometimes even the most diverse (everyday) objects are modified into a PC case with a little tinkering – such as the microwave mentioned above. This process in turn is referred to as Case Construction (also: CaseCon for short).

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The heart of PC modding: the housing

Do you want to know which doors are open to you when it comes to case modding? Then we would like to give you a hand. But before we start designing the interior , we have to lay the foundations. This forms the housing itself, because this will later house all LEDs, cables and components. When choosing – or designing – you have a number of options. We’ll reveal which ones!

Always a great view

For many, the glass window on the side is essential so that the case modding is really worthwhile. However, since this often has to withstand the higher temperatures that arise with the high performance of the components, it should ideally be made of Plexiglas . Because real glass is unfortunately often not suitable for this environment.

The synthetic glass, on the other hand, has exactly the right properties for the gaming PC: It is particularly stable and can withstand extremely cold as well as extremely warm temperatures that can arise in the case. In addition, it is very easy , which is particularly noticeable when you visit a LAN party. Speaking of transport: The acrylic glass is also extremely break-proof. But the glass replacement still has one disadvantage. It is quite sensitive to scratches. So, especially when cleaning and transporting, make sure that you do not leave any permanent traces.

Of course, what is particularly interesting for you with case modding is that it is wonderfully easy to individualize. The manufacture can different colors , and even gradients are produced. It can be made transparent or milky – depending on what you have in mind! By the way: custom-made parts are often available for comparatively little money.

From anthracite to cyan: color design

It is not just the window that defines the future appearance of your housing, the color is also essential. Since most cases still come in black, white or maybe even gray, it can make sense to lend a hand here. This is particularly easy with the help of special foils or stickers . You can often purchase these and are adapted to the standard sizes of the various mini, midi and maxi towers.

Of course, you can also design your own stickers – for example with the logo of your new esports team . Or what is your favorite game? You will often find different stickers for case modding with their logo, your favorite characters and Co. If you don’t find the right one, you can order it from the printer of your choice.

However, the results become more spectacular and individual when you start painting yourself . To do this, you must first thoroughly clean the surfaces to be colored and lightly roughen them with sandpaper. Then you walk evenly around the housing with a spray bottle and from a distance of about half a meter. Et voila: Your individual case has been created. Incidentally, it is best to prepare patterns, logos, etc. beforehand with a stencil – this makes designing much easier for you and prevents mistakes.

Unusual and individual: modding components

In addition to the housing, the existing components can of course also be designed individually . While this is very difficult with the mainboard and should really be left to the professionals, with a little basic knowledge you can trust the graphics card and the cooling.

While the GPU usually has fans mounted on the underside, the surface usually consists of a smooth plate. No connections should lead to these, then you can simply repaint them . You proceed similarly to the rest of the case, but make sure that you mask off the sensitive partitions. Don’t you dare Then look around carefully before buying. Because most graphics cards are available in different versions from different manufacturers. One of them will surely fit your setup.

The same applies to water cooling. Because while it still has technical advantages over conventional fans – as we have also highlighted in this article – it is an important component, especially in case modding. Because often the liquid can be easily colored and is sometimes even pepped up with fluorescent substances. This creates a real, individual eye-catcher!

For the right ambience: gaming lighting

We have just mentioned the fluorescent liquids in water cooling. But that doesn’t have to be the only glowing component. Because the housing with the right LEDs becomes a real spectacle . This part of case modding is roughly summarized as light modding. Even if you have bought a finished case, you can give it an individual look very quickly.

This is particularly easy with special LED strips or chains. These are often simply glued into the housing and provide indirect light . The power is either supplied directly via the mainboard (if it has such a connection) or operated via a battery. You only have to decide beforehand whether you value an RGB color change or whether you want to commit yourself to a color.

For more highlights you can also use fluorescent tubes and give your housing a three-dimensional flair. Another variant are LED fans. These are available for the CPU as well as for the graphics card and as a case fan. Ideally, they can all be programmed separately and give your case exactly the look you want.

Well hidden: hard drive and cable management

Unfortunately, even the most beautifully illuminated housing only works if the cable management is right. After all, who wants to stage a tangled cable? That’s why we want to give you a few tips on how to make your case look tidier:

  • Double back wall : Insert a second back wall through which you can thread cables. You can hide it behind her and move it from A to B.
  • Cover for the power supply unit : The cables all lead into the power supply unit, so this should also be hidden so that they are not visible again at this point.
  • Modular power supply : A modular power supply is recommended so that the cables can be reduced to a minimum.
  • Cable sleeving : You can buy sleeves for your cables, usually made of polyester. You simply pull this over one or more cables. That looks nicer than pure cable ties and gives you additional options for color design.

What you need: case modding tools

Do you want to tackle your project now? Whether you want to make a letterbox for your new case or just want to attach some LEDs – depending on the difficulty, you will need different case modding tools. We have put together a rough list for you here:

  • General: folding rule or ruler, cardboard & paper for masking
  • For gluing : squeegee, cutter knife
  • For painting : protective goggles, sandpaper, if necessary painter’s tape & stencils, spray can (alternatively: brush, sponge and / or painter’s roller and paint)
  • To work on metal : metal scissors, hacksaw, file
  • For the LED strips : scissors

You can achieve even more individuality if, for example, you have access to a 3D printer and print entire walls yourself. A CNC milling machine is also perfect for processing the metal and plexiglass. So if you want to design your own steampunk, military grade or cyberpunk case, you should address the relevant trades.

Between DDR3 & DDR4, 4GB & 64 GB | The Right RAM Memory

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If your game is jerky and the graphics program does not allow new layers, it is probably time for a larger RAM memory. We at Gaming Guru will be happy to explain to you what RAM or main memory actually is, what you have to pay attention to and how you can optimally use your money for the right memory size. Read more here!

Between DDR3 & DDR4, 4GB & 64 GB

RAM memory – what is that anyway?

The working memory, also called RAM, is required in every functioning computer. The abbreviation stands for “ Random Access Memory ”, which, loosely translated, means “memory with random access”. Its main function is the direct access and the intermediate storage of data that are currently required for the execution of processes and programs. These read and save processes run much faster than with hard disks.

However, a RAM memory can only store this data temporarily – as long as it is supplied with power – which is the biggest difference to the hard disk . While an HDD or SSD hard drive keeps your storage data long-term, even when it is not actively needed. The RAM only provides relevant data for a short time and deletes it after the PC has been shut down.

The memory itself is integrated in the so-called RAM bar , an elongated piece of hardware. This is then located directly on the mainboard and is linked to the other components via it. While a single RAM bar is often sufficient for the conventional office PC, they usually come as a pair or even a quartet for the gaming PC. We’ll tell you why this is so important in a moment.

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Function of the main memory

You can imagine how RAM works like this: While hard drives work like a long-term memory, the main memory can be compared with the short-term memory . Everything that is not needed at the moment can be forgotten. The larger the short-term memory, i.e. the RAM memory, the more can be stored on it.

Especially with current graphics-heavy games that come up with huge maps and countless interactive elements, an extremely large number of processes take place in the background. So that these do not lead to unsightly jerks or lags , it is important to process them as quickly as possible. This is exactly what the RAM is for. Theoretically, storing the required data would also work on a hard drive, but much too slowly. Therefore, a sufficiently large RAM memory is important in every gaming PC.

Whenever the PC is disconnected from the power, for example when it is switched off normally, but also in the event of a power failure, the data is deleted from the RAM . By the way, for the same reason, a restart can often be the first aid if the computer has slowed down during the day or an inexplicable error occurs somewhere. It is not for nothing that IT support usually asks first whether the computer has already been restarted.

DDR3 or DDR4 – is it worth upgrading to the new generation?

The “DDR” and the corresponding number in front of the RAM describe the respective variant or generation of the main memory. Accordingly, a DDR4 RAM memory is simply the more recent further development of the DDR3. Before that there was DDR2 and DDR (quasi DDR1). The principle is the same as when software is given a newer version number.

The current standard since 2014 is DDR4 RAM. Not infrequently, however, PCs with DDR3 are still in use. You may now be wondering whether you should replace your DDR3-compatible motherboard with a newer model. This decision may result in other components that need to be replaced. But purely for the RAM memory it might be worthwhile if you can be patient. Because the DDR5 has already been announced . As soon as this appears, we will tell you about it in a detailed article.

But let’s stay with the current candidates for now: The DDR4 bars have a larger memory volume and a higher clock rate than the DDR3. However, the timings (request speed from memory to processor), which are particularly relevant for gaming, are sometimes still better with some DDR3s. Roughly speaking, this has to do with the slightly different construction of the bolt. A closer comparison of the specific timing rates is worthwhile here. If you have enough free slots, it may be more worthwhile to add some memory to the “old” DDR3.

How much GB of RAM does a PC need?

There is no general answer to this question. However, we want to give you a few guidelines that you can use as a guide. Simple office computers can do their work with just 4 GB of RAM. However, more effective and actually the standard in most desktop PCs today are at least 8 GB. A gamer can only smile wearily at this. Because many games are now so graphics-heavy and full of details that a gaming PC needs more oomph. In principle, more RAM is always better here.

The best thing to do is to ask yourself the following questions first: Do you have music playing on your PC in addition to a video game? Several applications, for example Browser and TS or Discord, opened on a second monitor? Then you should definitely think in two digits! If BF5 doesn’t give you anything and you can live with closing all windows when you play more than Majong, then a RAM of 8GB will be enough for you.

For an unrestricted gaming experience, we recommend that you do not plan under 16 GB for a gaming computer . With 32 GB you are on the safe side in order to be able to enjoy the latest games smoothly in the years to come. By the way: video editing, 3D modeling and graphics programs also benefit from more RAM.

RAM too full – does it have to be?

Please don’t panic if your performance analysis reveals that your RAM is constantly “full”. It really has to be! At least it is normal and wanted that you have built in as much RAM as you need to work and play. A utilization of 50% or 75% alone is therefore not a reason for a new purchase. A utilization of very few percent is even inexpedient and a waste of money.

Note that just starting the PC and running its operating system will use part of the RAM memory. Every additional application and, of course, every started game are then still on top. So, if already idle is used more than half of the working memory, you notice any lag while playing or have even close programs, then you should think about more RAM. By the way, you can easily check the load on Windows using the task manager.

Why two RAM bars are better than one

You have probably already noticed that memory bars are usually sold in packs of two or even packs of four. The reason? All compatible bars plugged into the mainboard are added together. With two 8 GB bars, your PC has access to 16 GB of RAM memory. With four 8 GB bars to a total of 32 GB and so on.

The so-called dual-channel mode is also an important aspect . Your processor usually jumps into this automatically as soon as two identical RAM bars are in the slots. This doubles the data transfer rate and boosts the overall performance of your computer. With just one bar, almost half of your performance would simply fizzle out into nothing.

This only ever works for two bars with identical storage capacity and DRAM technology (DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, etc.). However, it does not have to be from the same manufacturer. A “quad-channel mode” can also be found on high-end motherboards. But you can also use a second, parallel running dual-channel mode with a second pair of modules. These two RAM bars have to be identical to each other, but not to the other bar pair.

Upgrade or replace RAM memory

When you finally have enough budget to pimp your PC, but don’t want to throw everything in the bin, you can upgrade the existing RAM memory. The first thing you should do is find out which memory modules are compatible with your motherboard . Unfortunately, it is of no use to you to spend your savings on a 64 GB DDR4 RAM and then discover that it does not even fit on your DDR3-designed motherboard. For this purpose, manufacturers provide compatibility lists as a guide. The number of free slots and whether other components restrict their height is also important.

You can also note the so-called clock rate , which indicates the speed at which data is transmitted between the components. Actually, you can combine two different clock rates. However, you are wasting performance because the faster RAM would match the slower one. So ideally you should always combine two identical RAMs in order to get the most out of them. By the way: In order to actually be able to use the multi-channel mode, you have to use certain slots on the mainboard. Which these are depends on the model and you can find out from the operating instructions.

However, a good graphics card is even more important for smooth and detailed gaming than the clock speed of the RAM memory. We explain exactly why in our blog post about gaming graphics cards . It is also relevant how much maximum storage capacity your mainboard allows at all. You can usually find out this information from the manufacturer.

Conclusion: You have to pay attention to this when buying RAM

So you see: Before you decide on a new RAM memory, there are a few things to consider . Take a look at which components are compatible with your motherboard and CPU, how many slots there are and which programs you want to use and how. Together with your budget, you can limit the selection of suitable RAM memory bars for you. Because even if more storage capacity is generally better at first, it doesn’t have to be the most expensive and newest bar. We hope you enjoy testing your RAM!