How Much RAM Memory Do I Really Need And What Kind?

April 30, 2009

in computer memory,computer performance

by David Hakala

When you buy a new computer the sales person will undoubtedly try to upsell you a RAM upgrade. It may seem that a whole gigabyte or two or RAM is plenty, but you could be in for surprises. Modern software is complex and uses lots of RAM. Software developers pitch their wares’ minimum RAM requirements to make them look lean and efficient, but in truth the software often needs much more RAM to run optimally. Having plenty of RAM means that software is not swapped out to disk as often, saving wear and tear on your hard drives. More RAM is usually a good investment. But how much RAM do you really need, and what kind of RAM should you buy?
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How Can I Safely Start Using a Previously Owned PC?

in computer hardware
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A gift of a previously owned PC is a usually a welcome one. But be prepared to spend some time and effort verifying software licenses, reinstalling programs, ensuring security against viruses and malware, cleaning the computer inside and out – and possibly even formatting the hard drive and starting from scratch.

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How Can We Recognize DDR1 and DDR2 RAM?

in computer hardware
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DDR1 and DDR2 RAM modules are close in name and appearance, but definitely not interchangeable. Learn the differences between the two or take your old RAM module to the store with you to avoid buying the type that won’t fit in your computer.

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