Due to technological changes, computers are getting updated in terms of software, hardware and operating system. If you are one amongst those who want to get their computers updated and upgraded soon, one of the easiest ways is by changing the random access memory or the RAM on your computer. Here’s how you can select the correct type of RAM for your PC.
- Function - Let’s understand exactly what the RAM does for your computer. A lot of people think that the more RAM, the better. This is partially true, but installing too much RAM can pose a problem as you have excess memory that your computer can no longer use. If you are only going to use basic functions such as Microsoft Word, it is useless to install too much RAM. But if you are going to use high memory applications such as video editing software some extra RAM will serve you better.
- Need – Recognize own personal computing needs. Adding more RAM will free up the memory and will allow your computer to operate more smoothly. But RAM is not a substitute for a better processor. If you are very low on computing power, then you should consider upgrading your processor instead of simply adding more RAM. In addition you must consider the types of programs and applications that you run in your computer. Also check the background processes and your operating system. Sometimes the biggest memory hog in a computer are the background processes that you may not even notice. A simple clean up of the running active processes will free a noticeable percentage of the existing computer memory. You should also know that there are also some operating systems that require more RAM than others.
- Compatibility – Determine the type of RAM that your computer can manage and handle. There are a variety of RAM sticks, such as DDR2 and DDR. Each type of RAM also comes with various speed capacities. The speed is the rate by which the transfer of data occurs between the computer and the RAM stick. Make sure that you check the exact specifications of your computer in relation to the RAM that you are planning to purchase. If you fail to install the appropriate type of RAM stick in your computer, the RAM will not be recognized by your computer.
- Limits -Lastly figure out the limits of your operating system that is installed. For e.g. If you have Vista, installing more than 3 gigabytes of RAM is a bad idea, since 3GB is the maximum amount of RAM that is recognized by the operating system. But if you are compelled to have the extra RAM and want your Vista OS to recognize the extra RAM, you need to upgrade to 63 bit OS.
Once you have decided on which RAM to choose, you can buy the RAM online or from your favorite electronics dealer. A useful tip is that always purchase the RAM in pairs, since most computers are able to make the most of RAM when paired. If you need to gigabytes of RAM, for instance, buy two 1 gigabyte RAM units. To go ahead, follow the installation instructions from your computer manual.
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