There is a tool called XLoader that allows you to directly upload a binary version of the firmware to your Ramps 1.4 control board. It is usually available here, but this site is currently down for maintenance. Here is an alternate link to the github page that also has XLoader.. Steps:
- From the github page, select Code/Download Zip to download the files
- Unzip the the file to a subdirectory on your machine.
- Unzip the Marlin source to your machine. For the Ramps 1.4 you want V1CNC_Ramps-2.0.7.2-src.zip.
- Plug in your board into your computer
- Run XLoader and set the Device and Baud rate as in this image:
- Select the COM port that your board is on.
- Select the Hex file. You will find it Marlin/Marlin/Build. And I believe you want Marlin.ino.hex.
- Click Upload.
The upload takes about 30 seconds.