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What is computer RAM memory?

Memory is the most important factor in computer performance.

Memory or RAM stands for Random Access Memory. As the computer functions, the processor transfers data from the computer’s hard drive to the computer’s memory for immediate use. Memory provides space for a computer to temporarily store, read and write information for quick access by the computer’s processor. Memory is “random access” meaning any storage location can be accessed directly, which makes it faster than accessing information from the hard drive.

Having more RAM in your computer reduces the number of times the processor has to retrieve data from the hard drive, which in turn substantially increases computer performance.

Why should I upgrade my computer’s RAM memory?

Upgrading your computer's RAM memory is the quickest, most efficient and least expensive way to boost a computer’s performance. Many new computers come with only a minimum amount of memory and adding more will significantly increase a system’s speed, responsiveness and performance. Memory upgrades are particularly helpful for users who work with large files, have more than one program open at once, or use memory-intensive applications such as games, graphics and video editing software.

What is the difference between RAM Memory and Hard Drive?

Two of the most frequently confused computer terms are memory and hard drive space.
The term memory refers to the amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) installed in your computer, whereas storage is a reference to the amount of hard drive space or “Disk Space”.
The hard drive is used for permanent storage of files, programs and applications. Memory (RAM) is used for temporary storage of information that is in use while the computer is on and does not keep any information once the computer has been turned off.

How much RAM memory do I need?

Memory is the most important factor in computer performance. If your computer doesn’t have enough memory, the processor needs to continually go to the hard drive to rewrite the old information with the new information being used. This significantly slows down the computer's response time. Some programs or applications will not run correctly if the computer you are using does not have enough memory. The amount of memory your computer needs varies depending the operating system installed.

The minimum recommended amount of memory for Windows 98, Me, and 2000 is 128MB or more.

Windows XP needs at least 256MB of RAM to function. With more applications and programs installed, a system running on 256MB of RAM quickly becomes sluggish and unresponsive. Microsoft recommends a minimum of 512MB for Windows XP. If your computer is experiencing lag when running more than one application at a time and takes an excessive amount of time starting up, you may want to consider adding more RAM. 768MB to 1GB is a good amount to have for an average computer user. If you do computer design, 3-D animation or heavy data processing with accounting programs, or if you are a serious gamer, then you will most likely need more RAM.

Vista needs 512MB RAM to function; however, Microsoft recommends that Vista computers ship with at least 1GB of memory. Due to the intensive memory requirements of Vista, systems running on 1GB of RAM may still see sluggish performance. 2GB is the recommended amount of memory for Vista to run smoothly for the average computer user. Serious gamers and performance minded users should consider upgrading to 4GB.

For Windows 7 Microsoft recommends a minimum of 1 GB of RAM for 32-bit versions of the operating system and a minimum of 2 GB for 64-bit versions. If you plan on taking advantage of the Windows XP Mode feature, you should bump those requirements up to include an additional 1 GB of RAM.

You can use our Memory Configurator to see how much memory you can install on your specific system.