Search:

Home | Computer | Hardware


Why you should add more memory to your PC to make it go faster.

By: James Hudson

The total amount of computer memory also known as RAM (Random Access Memory) in your PC is an important factor in determining how fast your PC runs. This is for the reason that if you have a small quantity of memory for the application programs you are running, the PC will be spending time (processor time) swapping information in and out of the limited quantity of memory to your disk drive. Computer time spent swapping data in and out of memory is time that could be spent performing the actions of your running applications. If extra memory is added to the system (assuming room is available) then more applications and or their data can remain in memory, reducing the amount of time wasted swapping information in and out of memory.

If your PC seems to be running slower and is a few years old it is probably because extra software or software upgrades that you have added to the system are placing evermore demands on the existing memory.

If you believe your computer memory might be a problem for your slow PC, you can verify your PC's RAM usage by opening the Windows Task Manager. You can start the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time (Vista users will have to click Start Task Manager) and then click the Performance tab. If the figure next to 'Available' (or 'Free' in Vista) in the 'Physical Memory' section is getting close to zero, for example if only 10% or so of your PC memory is available, you in all probability need extra RAM.

Generally a typical Windows XP user will discover that 1GB of RAM should give them satisfactory system performance. For users who run lots of demanding applications concurrently or they work extensively with digital video or other significant graphics files then they should have 2GB or more of RAM.

If you are planning to upgrade your PC to run Windows Vista, you can run this operating system with 1GB of RAM, however for a better Windows Vista experience then 2GB of RAM is recommend.

Having determined that you want to boost the amount of RAM in your system to boost its performance you then have the subsequent questions to resolve:-

1. Are there some empty memory card slots free in your system?
2. Will I have to remove some of the present memory to make room for new memory?
3. What sort of memory does your system need?
4. Is your PC using dual-channel memory, in that case then you must install a pair of memory cards for maximum performance?

You could possibly study your PC’s guide to solve these questions and others, but the easiest thing to try initially is to surf to one of the dependable RAM manufacturer’s web site using the PC you wish to upgrade. The main RAM supplier internet sites have internet based tools for identifying the right RAM for the PC you are using to surf to their website. These tools can inform you what memory you are currently using, if you have some unfilled memory slots and what upgrade options are available.

Using these internet based tools can plainly show you your upgrade solutions and really helps your to know that you are buying the right memory for your system.

When you take delivery of your new memory you will then have to read your PC instruction booklet to understand the way to open up your PC and properly insert the new memory. One issue you ought to be alert to when handling memory is that static electricity can damage these memory items and your PC’s other sensitive circuits. That's the reason you must read your manual as it should explain that you must earth yourself to the metalwork inside your PC, before removing your new memory from its protective cover and adding or removing items inside your PC.

For information on web-based tools to ascertain your memory upgrade options see the link below in the Author Resource information section.

Article Source: http://www.gambling-articles.org

Click the following link for examples of web based tools to pinpoint your Memory Upgrade alternatives.

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Hardware Articles Via RSS!

Powered by Article Dashboard