Are there any cons to RAM plus? (2024)

B

BlackZeppelin

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2014
759
2
18
Visit site
  • Mar 23, 2022
  • #1

Hi all. I'm not understanding RAM plus. Apparently, you can increase the phone's RAM by taking some of the hard drive shortage and allocating that to RAM.

So apart from losing a measly 2 or 4 GB storage out of 128, 256 or 512 GB hard drive storage, is there any other negative such as battery performance or something else I've missed?

  • Mar 23, 2022
  • #3

It's virtual ram similar to what Windows and other computer operating systems use.
It's never as fast as real Ram because it's using storage but allows Android OS in this case to keep more apps in Ram (real and virtual) rather than completely unloading an application when real Ram is exhausted. Only real downside is you are allocating storage space over to virtual Ram. For some that might be an issue and better used for files. In my case I have the 1TB unlocked so allocated max option for Ram Plus.

KPMcClave

Well-known member
May 16, 2013
1,777
0
0
Visit site
  • Mar 23, 2022
  • #4

Because it can't be disabled, any guesses as to whether there's any practical difference in setting it to the 2GB minimum, the 8GB max, or leaving it at 4GB default? Assuming storage isn't an issue at all.

gorgalis

Well-known member
Apr 26, 2010
287
12
0
Visit site
  • Mar 23, 2022
  • #5

PhreddMears said:

It's virtual ram similar to what Windows and other computer operating systems use.
It's never as fast as real Ram because it's using storage but allows Android OS in this case to keep more apps in Ram (real and virtual) rather than completely unloading an application when real Ram is exhausted. Only real downside is you are allocating storage space over to virtual Ram. For some that might be an issue and better used for files. In my case I have the 1TB unlocked so allocated max option for Ram Plus.

1TB is way too much. A good rule of thumb is to not set it much higher than the amount of RAM you have in your device.

Virtual RAM is very very slow compared to RAM so it's used to store memory from programs running in the background. You're opening yourself up to having a ton of open apps on your phone that may drastically hurt your battery life. I'm not sure it's even necessary if you have the 12GB model.

fuzzylumpkin

Well-known member
Dec 7, 2012
5,555
2,555
113
Visit site
  • Mar 23, 2022
  • #6

gorgalis said:

1TB is way too much. A good rule of thumb is to not set it much higher than the amount of RAM you have in your device.

Virtual RAM is very very slow compared to RAM so it's used to store memory from programs running in the background. You're opening yourself up to having a ton of open apps on your phone that may drastically hurt your battery life. I'm not sure it's even necessary if you have the 12GB model.

The max is 8GB, you can't allocate the entire device storage.

fuzzylumpkin

Well-known member
Dec 7, 2012
5,555
2,555
113
Visit site
  • Mar 23, 2022
  • #7

It's slow, and contributes to storage degradation. They should never have included it.

tadpoles

Well-known member
Jul 20, 2015
2,647
12
38
Visit site
  • Mar 23, 2022
  • #8

gorgalis said:

1TB is way too much. A good rule of thumb is to not set it much higher than the amount of RAM you have in your device.

Virtual RAM is very very slow compared to RAM so it's used to store memory from programs running in the background. You're opening yourself up to having a ton of open apps on your phone that may drastically hurt your battery life. I'm not sure it's even necessary if you have the 12GB model.

Why is 1TB too much storage? It seems like that would depend on the owner and what they like to keep locally on their device.

How does using RAM+ affect battery life? If I have the 12GB/512GB model and 5 apps open and, say, allocate an 8GB RAM+ slice how is my battery usage going to be different than if I had RAM+ disabled or had a 2GB RAM+ slice. I'm inferring that the phone does not disable or turn off storage silicon that is not used. Is this not correct?

gorgalis

Well-known member
Apr 26, 2010
287
12
0
Visit site
  • Mar 23, 2022
  • #9

tadpoles said:

Why is 1TB too much storage? It seems like that would depend on the owner and what they like to keep locally on their device.

How does using RAM+ affect battery life? If I have the 12GB/512GB model and 5 apps open and, say, allocate an 8GB RAM+ slice how is my battery usage going to be different than if I had RAM+ disabled or had a 2GB RAM+ slice. I'm inferring that the phone does not disable or turn off storage silicon that is not used. Is this not correct?

I thought OP meant 1TB was allotted for VRAM. I haven't messed with that setting so I wasn't aware there the OS limited the amount you can use for VRAM.

If you could actually use that much VRAM, your could theoretically have every app you can install on your phone open at once. All the apps in the background moved to VRAM would still be active and would allocate resources from the CPU both slowing down your phone as the the CPU processes those apps processes as well as drain the battery due to the increased demand.

You must log in or register to reply here.

Are there any cons to RAM plus? (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Errol Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 6288

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Errol Quitzon

Birthday: 1993-04-02

Address: 70604 Haley Lane, Port Weldonside, TN 99233-0942

Phone: +9665282866296

Job: Product Retail Agent

Hobby: Computer programming, Horseback riding, Hooping, Dance, Ice skating, Backpacking, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.