If you use more advanced software for 3D modeling, consider getting up to 32 GB instead.

For standard computer use on Windows 10, 6–16 GB of RAM should be enough.

It's generally cheaper to buy RAM online than in-store, but going to a store gives you the opportunity to speak with someone and make sure you're getting the right thing.

However, you do need to make sure your DIMMs have the same number of pins. X Research source So, if your PC came with a 4 GB DIMM and a 2 GB DIMM (a common configuration on some Acer and Lenovo laptops) and you want to have 12 GB of RAM, you could replace the 2 GB DIMM with an 8 GB DIMM.

In general, as long as your motherboard takes DIMMs, which is nearly all PCs from the 2000s and forward, you don't have to install RAM in identically-sized pairs.

If the DIMMs are different speeds from one another, they'll only run as fast as the DIMM with the lower speed.

If you want to run your RAM in dual channel or triple channel mode, you will want to buy an identical pair of two of the same size and speed DDR2 or DDR3 DIMMS.

To see Crucial's recommendations and pricing, just scroll down.

Crucial has been where large companies and individual users alike have purchased RAM for decades, so it's a totally safe place to get what you need. Now that you know your PC's RAM limitations, you can purchase compatible RAM from any tech department store (e.g., Best Buy) or online store (e.g., Crucial, which is the retailer that provided your RAM scanning tool).

Which ram slot to use