Lesson 2

Why Is RAM important?

It really controls more than people think in regards to overall computer performance.  Often times, people get caught up in the overall speed of their processor, or how big their video card or hard drive is. The real thing (in our experience) that people need to notice the most is RAM - more specifically, the amount of available RAM they have.  The more programs you have running in the background (like anti-virus, or spyware removal programs, automatic updaters, weather applications, or anything you see running in your task bar) the more the RAM your computer needs to run. The closer you get to the threshold, the slower your computer will run.

Typically, background programs build up over time, causing people to think they need a new computer. In reality, they just need to either upgrade their computers RAM or remove the number of programs running in the background. If you use memory intense programs like photo software, or rendering suites, those will also absorb considerable memory. Make sure to have as much free RAM as possible if you would like your computer to remain as responsive as you remember it on the day you first bought it.

How Much RAM is Enough? When Do I Upgrade?

This is a question often asked both when buying a computer, and when considering an upgrade. The real answer is - there isn't an answer. It has always been our experience that, when it is affordable, you should stock up. RAM is easy to upgrade ,and can drastically improve the performance of the computer in day to day use. We're not saying to rush out and buy RAM when the "next big upgrade" becomes available - you'll more than likely be paying a premium, if you do. If you wait a few months after larger RAM becomes available, chances are you'll find it for an affordable price.

When buying a computer, it's not so much the amount of RAM that it comes with that you should be concerned with, but rather the amount it is able to be upgraded to. People often overlook this fact, especially in laptop computers.  RAM, in most cases, is so affordable that you'll want to upgrade to the max your system will support at some point.

For computers running Windows XP, we recommend a minimum of 2GB RAM. For those with Windows Vista, we highly suggest a minimum of 4GB RAM. These are, of course, only numbers garnered from our opinions, and everyone's situation is a little different. If you are looking to purchase a computer at this point, you will want something that is upgradable past 4GB if possible. If you are considering upgrading a computer, and wondering how much RAM to use, try and follow those guidelines.

As far as where to get RAM - online sources are almost,always the best price, but pay attention to things like warranty, as there are a lot of variations in quality. We don't like to endorse any particular maker, since it seems like quality changes as fast as technology does - just make sure what you buy is backed by a strong warranty and from a reputable company. In a pinch, you can pick up RAM from most local office supply stores and Best Buy, but you will more than likely be paying a higher price at these places.

What Kind of Ram Do I Need?

Typically, the most common type of RAM is DDR, though some older computers sport SD RAM and (in rare cases) Rambus. Rambus Ram is very rare, and way too expensive to upgrade in most cases. We've actually found it cheaper to replace the whole computer, more often than not! If your computer is newer, and sporting DDR, you should be able to upgrade very affordably.

When you install RAM,  leave the computer plugged in to allow any static electricity to be grounded. The memory only goes in one way - simply flip open the tabs on the end of each memory slot, slid the RAM in one side at a time, and it should lock in. The tabs will click into place to hold the RAM. In some cases, RAM will have to be installed in pairs. For a very short time, computer manfacturers were designing systems that requred RAM parity. While rare, it's important to know if your computer requires memory parity.

In the next lessons, we will look at some basic software tutorials such as Microsoft Office, Web Design, and whatever other requests we receive at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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