The recent announcement of Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, has opened numerous discussions, among experts, on the new advanced features offered, the consolidation of existing ones, and the guarantee of improving the user experience. Launching the new Windows product undoubtedly provides various advantages to private users and companies, especially considering the user experience that is more fluid and secure for both PC / laptop users and companies. What changes, however, in terms of DRAM and storage? Let’s see it together.
Advantages For DRAMs: Higher Capacities, Lower Energy Consumption, Lower Costs
Especially after the changes affecting the entire sector in terms of memory technologies, with the transition from DRAM 8 to 16 Gbit memory, it is vital to check the suitability of devices to receive the update with Windows 11. At the beginning of the last quarter of 2019, DRAM semiconductor vendors have started introducing the next generation of high-density DRAM for DDR4. These new chips are based on contemporary lithography of the wafer, which turns out to be less than 20 nanometers.
This means that DRAM modules are moving from a density of 8 Gbit to a new density of 16 Gbit, which allows for higher capacities. Fewer components and new technologies implemented in wafers result in lower energy consumption in all devices, including mobile devices. This will result in extended battery life in laptops and lower power costs for both data centers and desktops used in homes and offices.
16 Bit DRAM memories allow you to achieve superior results at lower prices. If the devices are compatible, a memory upgrade is an excellent opportunity to take full advantage of the potential of systems with Windows 11 and modernize them. In the case of RAM / DRAM, the minimum requirements are 4 GB but adopting devices with needs higher than the minimum ones certainly guarantees a better user experience.
What Changes For Security? The TPM Standard
Trusted Platform Module, or TPM, was an almost unknown term before the announcement of Windows 11. But now, it is a mandatory requirement on Windows 11. The TPM standard consists of a microprocessor that guarantees the security of a computer at the hardware level—preventing the risk of attacks through an integrated cryptographic key. The device also works with other systems and applications installed on users’ PCs. And, since it is a hardware-based solution, it is considered more secure than software-based cryptographic solutions.
Windows 11: Storage Benefits With NVMe Standard Support
The growing popularity of drives based on the NVMe standard can be a catalyst for applications that utilize the speeds available with the NVMe standard. When combined with a memory upgrade, increasing the speed and storage capacity of the device can provide an opportunity to boost Windows 11 performance quickly and effectively.
For business use, the transition to Windows 11 must therefore consider the memory requirements, which must be at least 64 GB, and support for SATA and NVMe SSDs. The Windows 11 operating system requires more than 50 GB of space; therefore, you need to ensure that you have sufficient storage capacity above the minimum specification.
Things To Consider Before Upgrading To Windows 11
As happens in the case of the release of significant new versions of the operating system, it is, therefore, necessary to analyze the system requirements needed for the upgrade and pay attention to compatibility and whether companies can “disassemble and repair” or carry out the promotion of existing devices. To cope with the new Windows 11 system, you first need a CPU at least 1 GHz or higher, with two or more cores, on a system-on-a-chip (SoC) equipped with a 64-bit processor.
Another essential aspect to consider is related to the DRAM requirements and whether these are also compatible with the CPU. Considering the technological changes, hardware upgrades will be mainly limited by the ability to perform updates itself, as in the case of DDR3 DRAMs, which have now reached the limit of their life cycle. With the decreasing number of vendors producing legacy technologies and the cost/availability curve of those current/mainstream technologies, it is important to consider upgrading rather than switching to new machines.
But for those who already have a replacement cycle of their current laptop / desktop machines in place, moving to Windows 11 is an excellent opportunity to extend the life cycle of devices, boost performance and security while delivering a better user experience. Upgrading memory and SSDs allows you to increase system performance at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new devices.
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