Laptops are made of different components and each component has its own unique function within a laptop. However, speed has always been the name of the game when it comes to computers, and a few parts of a laptop are responsible for its speed. So, what part of a laptop makes it fast?
The processor, RAM, and storage drive are all responsible for making the laptop fast because these components communicate with one another and need to work together so that they can make the laptop fast.
So, when you look at it, the laptop is only as fast as its weakest component because all of these components need to work together to make the computer fast. As such, it is important that you make sure that all of the different parts and components are fast enough so that you can have a laptop that is capable of optimal speeds.
What part of a laptop makes it fast?
When it comes to the laptop, there are different components that make up the entire computer. These components all work together and communicate with one another through the motherboard.
However, when it comes to computers, one of the most important things you need to know is that speed is a popular feature many people look for. The faster the computer, the better it is and the more productive we can be. Of course, the better the computer’s components are, the faster it will be. In short, speed is what makes a computer as good as it is.
So, part of a laptop makes it fast?
All of the main components of a laptop allow it to be fast. This includes the Processor (CPU), RAM, Storage, and GPU. There is no one single laptop part that is responsible for making it fast. That’s because each component has a part to play in making the entire computer fast.
With that said, let’s look at what each component does so that it will be easier to understand why they contribute to the laptop’s overall speed:
Processor
The central processing unit or the CPU of the laptop is what is responsible for allowing the laptop to process different tasks and functions. Think of the CPU as the brain of the laptop in the sense that it uses the processor to perform functions that require the computer’s ability to “think” or process. This is why the processor is named as such.
So, the way the laptop’s processor affects the computer’s speed is based on the processor’s processing speeds, which are based on gigahertz. The higher the gigahertz and the more cores the processor uses, the faster the computer will be. It is also the processor that dictates how much power the laptop uses because, when the processor needs to work harder, it requires more power.
RAM
The random access memory or RAM or simply the memory is the part of the laptop that allows it to deliver data. It works in conjunction with all of the different parts of a laptop in the sense that the RAM is what’s responsible for storing temporary files and data that are necessary when you are using a program.
A computer’s RAM dictates the speed of a laptop based on how much RAM it has. Most laptops have at least 4 GB of RAM, but a higher memory will allow the laptop to work faster because it has more memory to work with when you are making use of different programs and files. Also, the capability of the computer’s memory is measured by the amount of time it takes for it to deliver data, and that’s why higher and faster RAMs allow the laptop to be faster.
Storage
The storage drive, which comes in the form of the hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), is the main storage unit that the laptop uses to store the important files and data it requires to work on a regular basis. So, when you are using your computer, it needs to read and load the files that are stored in the storage drive.
Of course, when the drive is capable of faster reading and writing speeds, that means that it will allow the laptop to read files from the drive at a faster rate. The faster the laptop is in reading the files and data stored in the drive, the faster it will be able to load and boot up programs that you use on a regular basis.
GPU
Most laptops come with graphic processing units or GPUS that are integrated with the CPU. However, there are some laptops that are built to have their own dedicated GPU, which are the parts that process graphics. In most cases, this isn’t really that important especially if you are only using the laptop for regular daily purposes. But if you use the laptop to process videos, for animation, for gaming, or for any other graphic intense task that is where having a dedicated GPU becomes important.
So, if you have a dedicated GPU for your laptop, it will also contribute to the speed of the laptop. The GPU has a similar function as the CPU in terms of how it allows the laptop to work faster. However, the difference is that the GPU’s function is to process video graphics. The better and faster the GPU is, the faster the computer will be when processing graphics.
How do you improve your laptop’s speed?
So, now that you know which part of a laptop makes it fast, how do you improve a laptop’s speed?
The problem with a laptop is that you won’t be able to replace some of its components. For example, the processor will be the same from day one because laptop processors are soldered onto the laptop’s motherboard.
If your laptop comes with a GPU, the same can be said as well in the sense that you cannot upgrade the laptop’s GPU or replace it with a new one for the same reasons that you can’t replace the laptop’s CPU. However, the exception here is if your laptop is compatible with external GPUs.
The good news is that you can still improve the laptop’s speed by improving the parts that you can replace or upgrade. These are the RAM and the storage drive.
Most laptop motherboards allow you to insert one more RAM card so that you can expand the laptop’s memory. So, if you have an 8 GB laptop and an extra slot for another RAM card, inserting another 8 GB RAM will make it faster.
Meanwhile, when it comes to the storage drive, the best way to improve the speed of a laptop’s drive is by replacing the hard drive with a solid-state drive. Solid-state drives can be up to more than 10 times faster than hard drives. So, replacing your hard drive with an SSD, will improve the laptop’s read and write speeds. Meanwhile, if you already have an SSD in your laptop then you can invest in a newer and better SSD with faster read and write speeds.
By improving or upgrading your RAM and storage drive, you can actually improve the laptop’s performance by a lot. It was found that upgrading a laptop with 2 GB RAM and an HDD to an 8 GB RAM with an SSD allowed it to boot up to 57% faster and open programs up to 73% faster.
The numbers don’t lie, and while you can’t improve a laptop’s processor, upgrading its RAM and its storage drive will allow it to become faster than it ever was.