Perhaps you already suspected this, but the crucial component in any PC is its memory – or RAM, if you wish to be technical. If you want your PC to run at all, you need some solid RAM. So assuming it’s not there, the prospect of it ever failing sounds distinctly grim and you might want to know just how long it can last, before you’re forced to buy yourself some new RAM.
These options, however, are not fundamental. The biggest determinant of your RAM’s lifetime boils down to how you use your PC. An average gaming rig will live a long and prosperous life with a decent cooling system in place. After all, a cooling system works because it takes away heat.
Therefore, if your PC generates a significant amount of excess heat, it could potentially damage your RAM. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Everyone uses their PC differently, so let’s take a look at the nitty-gritty, so that you know what you can expect from your RAM, and figure out what went wrong if something seems to have gone awry.
How long does RAM typically last?
RAM doesn’t usually fail in a PC — they tend to have lifespans of eight to 10 years, really, though it’s really more of a range, as most RAM won’t fail at all. Rather, you’ll likely end up replacing the memory in a PC at some point in its life, and it will be part of a platform upgrade, rather than a failure.
Yes, they do fail from time to time – but usually, even in the case of a dubious or faulty dual in-line memory module (DIMM) or IC (integrated circuit), any problems will be there right from the very start. There is nothing about how much you use a computer that is likely to influence whether or not it exhibits these faults later down the line.
I’ve also had PCs with DDR2 and DDR3 RAM (the latter came out in 2007), still humming away on those same DIMMs. Such computers were slow, and not much fun, but it’s not as though a really old PC, called upon to do something it was never intended to do with something much newer isn’t going to be slow. The RAM in my old PC will be 10 years old this summer; it’s never caused me any trouble at all.
Not sure? Look at the limited warranty on some of the best RAM you can buy today. Limited lifetime warranties for modules are common with some big-name manufacturers; otherwise, common are 10-year warranties. You’ll never see those kinds of warranties on anything that has much of a curve of failure: components that wear out, like graphics cards or SSDs.
In other words, you’re going to want to upgrade to DDR5 from DDR4 or from DDR5 to DDR6 before your memory ever begins to show any signs of failure.
Things that may affect RAM longevity
There are some things to keep in mind if you want to purchase the best memory modules: It is possible that buying from a quality manufacturer and then taking care of your PC over the course of the years can ensure that what you buy will last a long time. Remember, the more you do at once, the more stress you put on your RAM.
Some of the things that may contribute to how long your RAM lasts include:
Usage. If it’s running 24 hours a day, and you’re constantly firing up memory-intensive workloads (games mainly), you’re working that RAM pretty hard, and that could shorten its lifespan.
Manufacturer. It might be tempting to go the bargain-basement route and pick up the least expensive RAM made by an unfamiliar manufacturer. Don’t do it. If you need a good size, you should avoid those, but at least aim for midrange brands such as TeamGroup or G.Skill. The brands like Crucial or Corsair are fine, but not necessary.
Temperature. If your PC’s heat isn’t controlled, every component isn’t having a wonderful time, and that includes the RAM. RAM doesn’t require targeted cooling, so just get one of the best air coolers or a liquid cooling rig going.
Bonus: warranty. If the manufacturer is willing to put a lifetime or a 10-year warranty on the RAM kit, that’s always a plus.
In fact, I’m guilty of exactly what I advise against – and irony of ironies, and despite the fact that my onboard RAM is fine – because I’m no saint, and I speedily abuse my PCs. My computers will be running everything from an inordinately high number of opened tabs, and then some games or even videos all at the same time while trying to juggle the commitment to new processes and their efficient allocation of memory.
Some users have their RAM die out in the first couple of years, but when that happens it is not due to disrespectful use – you could be on, let’s say, day 213 of the CPU’s 213-day life cycle, minding your arguments, when suddenly the DIMM or the IC decides to manifest a defect.Here’s why soldered RAM could really be an issue in laptops: if the RAM is installed on the motherboard means that if it does go bad, you have a problem in replacing it.
Signs that your RAM might be failing
If you suspect that your PC is underperforming, you might want to rule out RAM before moving on to further troubleshooting. RAM failures tend to be obvious, and at their worst your PC will die in a screaming agony that might not immediately tell you what the problem is. Also, different component failures can all lead to similar symptoms:
Crashes and reboots, especially when you run memory-intensive apps and games
Blue screens of death (BSOD)
System freezes
Memory-related errors when using various software
Problems loading or saving certain files
Slower performance
You might also hear some beeping sounds at boot time. Those are BIOS beep codes, and their precise meaning is entirely dependant on the manufacturer of your motherboard, but they can never mean good things.
Assuming that one or more of the above are causing your problem, then poor memory can be the culprit – but it’s not a sure thing. Component overheat, power issues, CPU errors, problems with your SSD, driver conflicts and many other issues could also be to blame.
If you’re unsure, keep digging. There’s a separate that covers bad RAM troubleshooting in case you don’t find obvious signs. So before buying new RAM, go check that out.
