Running several programs on your system can often use most of the the available RAM on your gaming PC. When this happens, you will quickly notice your PC becoming sluggish, even when performing simple tasks. There are also times when applications or games will crash suddenly.
To avoid issues like this, it is best to free up your RAM space before running a game on your gaming PC. But first let’s discuss what you should know about your RAM.
What is RAM (Random-Access Memory)?
RAM, or Random-Access Memory, is the component that stores your short-term data. Put simply, your RAM serves as the storage for all running programs on your computer. Your computer uses the information stored in the RAM to complete tasks, as your processor simultaneously receives and processes its functions. Think of it as an empty glass. You can only put so much water (or in this case running programs) in the glass before it overflows and causes problems.
Why RAM Matters for Gaming
RAM serves as storage for your active programs, including games. But why do games need so much memory, and why can’t they just rely on your PC’s disk space to do this? The short answer is speed. RAM is significantly faster than even the best SSDs. It has to be, in order to keep up with your active programs. That includes loading textures, visual effects, sound files, and more, all without annoying lag. More RAM means you can explore bigger game worlds, crank up the graphics, and keep background apps running without worrying about performance drops.
Signs You Need More RAM
Most systems will let you know when your RAM is full, but there are early signs that things are starting to get tight. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Slow performance
- Game Freezes or crashes
- Long load times
- High memory usage in Windows task manager
- Programs not responding
- Background processing piling up
- Low frame rates
- Fan running constantly
- Random restarts
- System alerts
How To Free UP RAM: 6 Easy Tips
When your gaming PC uses up all the available RAM, its performance will slow down because it doesn’t have enough storage required to complete the tasks. Clearing or freeing up RAM space will allow your system to complete tasks.
Here are easy tips on how to free up your RAM on your gaming PC.
1 – Restart Your System
The easiest way to clear up RAM is to restart your PC. Restarting your computer will clean up all the processes running in the background, taking up RAM space.
Make sure to regularly restart your computer to keep it from slowing down, especially if you use it all the time. For example, if you haven’t restarted your PC in a week and it is starting to feel sluggish, it is best to reboot your system.
2 – Uninstall unnecessary software.
Check which programs are taking up too much of your RAM via the Task Manager. Click the Processes tab in Task Manager and the Memory header to sort all the programs from the most to least in RAM usage.
Identify which programs or applications you can uninstall. These apps include those you haven’t used in months but are still running in the background. However, ensure these programs aren’t needed when running any other programs in your system.
To install any apps, go to Settings, then Apps, and Apps & Features. Click Uninstall to remove.
3 – Update Apps and Programs.
Installing app updates can help reduce RAM waster. Some apps suffer from memory leaks. This happens when a program doesn’t return RAM to the pool once it is done using the resources. Such apps will use more and more RAM over time, which will lead to your system slowing down.
If any of your apps have an issue with a memory leak, then it is best to install the latest update. Usually, the latest versions of apps include optimizations, so they will use less RAM than their previous version.
4 – Scan your system for malware.
Any time your PC begins to slow down and an unknown program seems to be taking to much of your RAM, it’s best to check your system for malware. When your PC is infected with malware, it will install rogue software that steals up your system’s resources, especially your RAM.
You can use antivirus programs, but usually Windows Defender is good enough to scan and detect malware.
5 – Add Virtual Memory.
If ever you encounter an issue that posts an error message that tells your system is low on virtual memory. It is best to increase it to keep your system performance stable.
To adjust your PC’s virtual memory, go to Settings, click System, and then About. On this page, scroll down and click Advanced system settings. A new window will appear upon clicking the link.
On this new window, go to the Advanced tab and click the Settings button under Performance. This will open a new window.
Click the Advanced tab and then the 9 Change button in the Virtual Memory section.
While in the Virtual Memory window, uncheck the box that says “automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
Click Custom size, then set the initial and maximum sizes to higher values. Make sure your numbers are within the specifications of your RAM.
6 – Clear Cache and Temporary Files
Clearing out your cache and temp files can free up a surprising amount of RAM. Typically, these files pile up over time, especially if you’re constantly installing, updating, or uninstalling apps, or you spend a lot of time browsing the web.
Temporary files include things like leftover installation files, cached web pages, and logs that your system no longer needs but still stores. If you never clear your cache, these unnecessary files can eat up your RAM and make your games and overall system significantly slower.
7 – Close Browser, Tabs and Extensions
Are you one of those people who has a gazillion browser tabs open at once? It might seem harmless, but, believe it or not, each tab can use up a lot of RAM, especially if it’s running a video, chat app, or a resource-heavy website. Extensions, which run scripts and processes quietly in the background, can also drain memory without you realizing it.
If you’re noticing slowdowns while gaming, try closing all tabs you’re not actively using, turning off unnecessary browser extensions, or using a more RAM-friendly browser, like those that have built-in tools to pause inactive tabs.
8 – Disable Startup Programs and Apps
Some apps automatically launch in the background when you start your PC, quietly consuming your RAM before you even get your game library.
Startup programs can include messaging apps, cloud storage clients, or even some game launchers. Disabling these apps can free up some much-needed memory, improve your boot times, and reduce the overall load on your system.
9 – Add More RAM
If all else fails, adding more RAM to your unit is the most reliable way to get rid of lag. While most gaming PCs can run with 16GB RAM without any issue, it is ideal to have 24GB or 32GB RAM if you’re using many programs. Adding more RAM to your gaming PC will also help improve its performance and boost your system’s speed.
RAM Optimizations Best Practices for Gamers
So, how do you free up RAM and make sure your system is always running at its best? It starts with building good habits that keep your hardware functioning smoothly over time. Here are a few best practices to keep your RAM in check:
- Restart your PC regularly: It might sound basic, but a restart can clear out many background processes and free up RAM. We recommend doing this at least once a week.
- Close overlays and background apps: Game launchers, chats, and system monitors can quickly add up to a lot of utilization. To keep things streamlined, close these when you are not actively using them.
- Enable Game Mode: Enabling Game Mode in windows can help prioritize gaming resources and reduce background activity.
- Keep your drivers updated: Outdated drivers can cause memory issues and other negative performance impacts. Regularly updating your graphics card drivers and Windows can help prevent this problem and keep things running smoothly
- Run a cleanup tool: Consider using a RAM optimization or system cleanup tool to automatically clear up duplicated or temporary files.
Make RAM Shortage a Thing of The Past
There are lots of ways to free up RAM on your gaming PC, but the most reliable solution will always be to expand your capacity with more RAM. Make sure any RAM you buy is compatible with your system. To see a list of compatible components, check the PC manufacturer’s website if you have a prebuilt gaming rig or the motherboard manufacturer’s website if you built your desktop.
Looking for more tips? Check out our complete guide on how to purchase and add more RAM to your gaming PC.