Laptop RAM (SODIMM) Hub
Some links below are affiliate links: RamRadar may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
A RAM upgrade is still the cheapest way to make an aging notebook feel fast, if your machine has sockets and you buy the right module. This hub tracks what laptop SODIMMs actually cost per gigabyte, how that compares to desktop memory, and which kits are the best value right now.
DDR5 SODIMM median
$12.50/GB
65 kits tracked
DDR4 SODIMM median
$6.00/GB
77 kits tracked
30-day change
DDR5 +15.1%
DDR4 +5.7%
mean $/GB, SODIMM
vs desktop $/GB
DDR5 -19.5%
DDR4 -14.8%
SODIMM premium over DIMM
Cheapest laptop RAM right now
Live-ranked SODIMM collections. Both update as retailer prices move.
SODIMM buying notes
Confirm your laptop is upgradeable first.This is the step that saves the most money and the most returns. Many thin-and-light notebooks solder LPDDR memory to the board with no sockets at all; others pair one soldered bank with a single SODIMM slot; workhorse and gaming laptops usually offer two slots. Your laptop maker's spec page (or a teardown of the exact model number) tells you the socket count, the maximum supported capacity, and whether the installed module can be replaced or only accompanied.
SODIMM is its own form factor. Laptop modules are roughly half the length of desktop DIMMs and keyed differently; desktop RAM will not fit, and neither will a DDR4 SODIMM in a DDR5 machine. The platform decides the generation: broadly, socketed notebooks from the 12th-gen Intel and Ryzen 7040 era onward may take DDR5, while earlier machines take DDR4. Check the spec sheet rather than guessing from the laptop's age.
Two modules beat one fast one. Most laptops rely on integrated graphics, and integrated graphics share main memory, so running two modules in dual channel usually delivers a bigger real-world lift than a single higher-clocked stick. If you have two slots and a fixed budget, fill both. Mixed speeds run at the slower module's pace, so match what's installed when adding rather than replacing.
Mind the DDR4 clock. DDR4 SODIMMs serve the largest installed base of upgradeable laptops, but DDR4 production is winding down as memory makers shift capacity to DDR5 and HBM. See the DDR4 end-of-life hub for the full story. If an older notebook is worth keeping, upgrading it while kits are still widely stocked is the safer play than waiting out a wind-down.
Judge deals by $/GB and price history, not badges.Every kit RamRadar tracks shows its live price against its own all-time low, and the chart above shows what the SODIMM market as a whole is doing. Together they tell you whether today's price is genuinely good or merely loud. If nothing is attractive today, set a price alert and let a dip come to you.
Laptop RAM FAQ
Can I use desktop RAM in a laptop?
No. Laptops with socketed memory use SODIMMs: physically shorter modules with a different pin layout than desktop DIMMs. The two are not interchangeable in either direction, so always confirm you are buying SODIMM kits for a notebook upgrade.
What does laptop RAM cost right now?
As of August 27, 2026, DDR5 SODIMMs average $13.16/GB across the 65 kits RamRadar tracks, and DDR4 SODIMMs average $6.74/GB across 77 kits. The live chart and collections on this page update as prices move.
Can every laptop's RAM be upgraded?
No. Many thin-and-light machines solder LPDDR memory directly to the board, with no sockets at all, and some pair one soldered bank with one SODIMM slot. Check your laptop maker's documentation (or a teardown of your exact model) for socket count and maximum supported capacity before buying anything.
Do I need to match my existing module's speed?
Mixed-speed modules run at the slower module's speed, so matching the installed speed avoids surprises. Capacity and generation matter more: the platform dictates DDR4 versus DDR5, and running two modules in dual channel typically helps more than a small clock bump, especially on laptops using integrated graphics, which share main memory.
Does my laptop take DDR4 or DDR5 SODIMMs?
The CPU platform decides. Broadly, notebooks from the 12th-gen Intel / AMD Ryzen 7040 era onward may use DDR5 SODIMMs, while earlier socketed machines use DDR4, but many transition-era laptops shipped with either, so verify your exact model's spec sheet. The generations are keyed differently and cannot be mixed.