Research · Updated 2026-10-16

How to Upgrade RAM in a Gaming Laptop (2026)

RAM upgrades are the best-value performance boost for gaming laptops: 16GB to 32GB for £40–£60, ten minutes with a screwdriver, and meaningful gains in multitasking and demanding games. Here is the complete guide.

The UK RAM upgrade guide.

How to Upgrade RAM in a Gaming Laptop (2026)

Illustrative stock photo (Pexels / Unsplash)

What to buy (and what to check first)

Before buying: verify upgradeability (SODIMM slots — check the service manual; "soldered"/"onboard" means no upgrade possible), check current configuration (CPU-Z → Memory tab — shows type, speed, channels, and slot occupancy), and determine the target (16GB→32GB is the standard upgrade; 2×16GB DDR5-5600 SODIMM).

What to buy: matched SODIMM modules — DDR5-5600 (the 2026 standard), from reputable brands (Crucial, Kingston, Corsair). A 2×16GB kit (£50–£70) is the sweet spot. Match speed to the existing module if adding (not replacing).

Dual-channel: the performance key

Dual-channel explained: two identical memory modules in paired slots operate in dual-channel mode — double the memory bandwidth. The impact: 10–20% better performance in CPU-bound games, smoother multitasking, faster integrated graphics (irrelevant with dGPU, but the principle holds).

The single-stick trap: many budget laptops ship with one 16GB stick (single-channel) — adding a second identical 16GB stick (dual-channel) is the single best upgrade for these machines. Check CPU-Z: "Single" channel means you are leaving performance on the table.

Installation step by step

Installation: power off, unplug, disconnect battery; remove bottom panel; locate SODIMM slots (often under a shield — remove carefully); release the retention clips (existing module pops up at 30°); insert new module at 30° (notch aligns — it only fits one way); press flat until clips engage; reassemble.

For adding (not replacing): install the matching module in the empty slot. For replacing: remove both old modules, install the new matched pair. Ground yourself (touch metal) — static precautions are simple but important.

Verifying the upgrade

After installation: verify in CPU-Z or Task Manager (capacity correct? dual-channel active? speed correct?), run a memory test (Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86 — one pass minimum), and monitor stability for a few days (crashes or blue screens indicate a faulty module or incompatibility).

If problems occur: reseat the modules (most issues are poor seating), try one module at a time (isolates faults), and verify compatibility (some laptops are picky — the manufacturer's QVL list is the authority).

The matching: the kit

Matching RAM: the kit — the identical (the same — the model — the ideal); the specs (the speed — the timings — the matched); and the mixing (the worked — the downclocked — the avoided).

The matching truth: the kit (the pair — the tested — the guaranteed); the single (the added — the matched — the careful); and the mismatch (the slower — the timings — the compromised). The matcher (the precise — the rewarded); the mixer (the lucky-or-not — the lesson). The kit (the bought-together — the sure). The match (the perfect — the performance).

The speed: the JEDEC versus XMP

JEDEC versus XMP: the speeds — the JEDEC (the standard — the 4800/5600 — the guaranteed); the XMP (the overclock — the 6400+ — the desktop); and the laptop (the JEDEC — the supported — the reality).

The speed truth: the laptop (the JEDEC — the BIOS-locked — the 5600); the XMP kit (the downclocked — the wasted — the avoided); and the buyer (the JEDEC — the bought — the wise). The speeder (the XMP — the laptop — the disappointed); the informed (the JEDEC — the correct — the satisfied). The speed (the supported — the bought). The JEDEC (the laptop's — the law).

The 64GB: the when

64GB: the when — the VMs (the multiple — the hungry — the justified); the video (the 8K — the massive — the needed); the Chrome (the joke — the hundreds of tabs — the maybe); and the future (the 2030 — the standard — the hedge).

The 64GB truth: the 2026 (the overkill — the most — the honest); the specific (the VMs, the 8K — the genuine — the few); and the 32GB (the sweet — the enough — the recommended). The 64GB buyer (the need — the verified — the justified); the spec-chaser (the waste — the unused — the lesson). The RAM (the enough — the bought). The 64GB (the few's — the need).

The pair law: the dual-channel

The RAM upgrader's dual-channel is the law: the matched (the pair — the identical — the 2×); the single (the halved — the bandwidth — the avoided); and the verify (the CPU-Z — the dual — the confirmed). The single 16GB plus the empty slot is the half — the 2×8GB is the whole. The dual-channel is the 10–15% — the free with the pair.

The dual method: the buy (the kit — the 2× — the matched); the install (the pair — the slots — the filled); and the check (the CPU-Z — the dual — the smiled). The dual-channel is the non-negotiable — the kit, the pair, the whole. The single stick is the half; the kit is the complete.

The 16GB floor: the 2026 minimum

The RAM upgrader's 2026 floor is the 16GB: the minimum (the gaming — the adequate — the 2026); the 8GB (the past — the stutter — the upgraded); and the check (the soldered — the 16GB — the accepted). The 8GB in 2026 is the upgraded — the £40, the 16GB, the transformed. The soldered 8GB is the avoided — the 16GB soldered is the minimum.

The floor method: the assess (the current — the Task Manager — the 90%); the upgrade (the 16GB — the kit — the done); and the future (the 32GB — the considered — the later). The 16GB is the 2026's floor — the gaming, the Discord, the Chrome. The floor is the solid; the 8GB is the past.

The 2028 fluid: the 48GB upgrade

The RAM upgrader's 2028 is the 48GB: the 2026 (the 32GB — the bought — the enough); the growth (the 2028 — the hungry — the real); and the upgrade (the 48GB — the kit — the swapped). The 2026's 32GB becomes the 2028's 48GB — the SODIMM, the swapped, the smooth. The upgrader watches — the 2028 upgrades.

The 2028 method: the now (the 32GB — the bought — the smooth); the later (the 48GB — the priced — the upgraded); and the enjoy (the multitasked — the always — the fluid). The 2028 smooth is the 2026's slots — the upgradeable, the used. The 2028 is the watched.

The verdict

RAM upgrade realities: the best-value upgrade in computing — £50–£70 for a transformative multitasking improvement. Buy base RAM on upgradeable machines and upgrade yourself (manufacturer RAM pricing is heavily marked up).

Check the live price of SODIMM kits — they are commodities, and sales are frequent. The ten minutes you spend is the best investment in your laptop's performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade my gaming laptop's RAM?

Yes — on laptops with SODIMM slots (most 15–16-inch gaming laptops: Legion Pro, Strix G16, Raider, Vector). Remove the bottom panel, insert the SODIMM modules, reassemble. Ten minutes. It does not void UK warranty rights.

What if my RAM is soldered?

No — soldered LPDDR5X (thin laptops: Zephyrus G14/G16, Blade 14/16) cannot be upgraded. Check before buying: "soldered" or "onboard" in the specs means fixed forever. Buy the RAM you need upfront on soldered machines.

Which RAM should I buy?

Match the existing module's specs (DDR5-5600 SODIMM is the 2026 standard — check with CPU-Z) or buy a matched pair (2×16GB for 32GB). Matched pairs ensure dual-channel operation — the performance-critical configuration.

What is dual-channel RAM?

Dual-channel (two identical sticks) provides significantly more memory bandwidth than single-channel (one stick) — 10–20% better performance in many games. Always run matched pairs; never mix capacities if avoidable.