Have you ever wondered why sometimes even if your computer has enough processor power and so much storage space in your hard drive but it seems the computer’s response doesn’t make up for it? It takes eons to launch your word processing program or even startup your internet application.

 
My clients usually ask me how much RAM or memory is enough to run their programs for them to open their files seamlessly, play multimedia content without any stutter and to avoid their PC freezing up all of a sudden.

 
RAM, for all we know, is one of the major parts of the PC and is needed for it to function properly. It acts as a temporary storage space for the PC to call for data as the processor and other parts of the system utilize it to complete a set of instruction just like opening a file or a program. It is like opening a can of juice and transferring it to a pitcher. The pitcher holds as much juice as it can hold while some of it is still being consumed. To compensate it, you must have enough quantity to supply the number of consumers (makes sense?).

 
RAM (random access memory) is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order with a worst case performance of constant time. Strictly speaking, modern types of DRAM are therefore not random access, as data is read in bursts, although the name DRAM / RAM has stuck (Taken from Wikipedia.org)

 
RAM can be seen to function flawlessly when you try to launch different programs simultaneously and you see that you don’t encounter any slow-downs or freeze-ups then you are in luck because your PC has enough RAM.

 
Memory architecture evolved from single channel (EDORAM, SDRAM and RDRAM), to dual channel (DDR and DDR2) and now the triple channel (DDR3). These RAM types perform the same basic function yet they differ in data transfer speed and capacity.

 
The EDORAM, RDRAM and SDRAM are already obsolete so you seldom find them in the market. The DDR is still in circulation for most computers which are still using these memory types. Still we have to make sure which of the DDR types will fit our motherboards.

 
To match with your motherboard and processor, you must find the detailed specifications of your main board. That is, the RAM type, speed and capacity; for example DDR2 (RAM type) PC400 (speed). Commonly, you will find motherboards that carry at least one particular RAM type with varying speeds so you can have options in purchasing and maintaining your PC. Of course, it is also important to know how many available slots are there in your motherboard to ensure additional memory allotments in the future.

 
The RAM speed determines how fast data is transferred to and from the system while the capacity will ensure how much data can be temporarily held up while they are used up by the PC. Logically, the higher the bus speed and the greater the capacity, the better. As of this date, 1 GB (gigabyte) of DDRAM is decent enough to run the latest PC, to do basic computing tasks and can also fit the minimum system requirements of most programs.

 
Alternatively, RAM can make up for your computer’s speed so adding more RAMs (even better if large capacity ones) can boost the launching of programs and execution of data as per your requirement. It can lower down your expense of replacing the rest of the system when you don’t really need to.

 
Related readings:

• Knowing your motherboard
• Processor Power
• CPU Manufacturers
• Hard Drives
• Video Cards

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