How RAM Can Make Your Computer Run Faster

RAM, or random access memory, is an integrated circuit on your computer that is used for data storage. The computer's RAM can be compared to your short-term memory, and the hard disk to your long-term memory. The RAM only holds its data as long as your computer is running; once you power it off, all the data that is stored on the memory chip will be erased.

RAM is the primary storage method for loading applications. Without RAM, the computer will be unable to temporarily store data and, therefore, you will not be able to open and run programs. RAM can make your computer load programs much slower or much faster, slowing down or speeding up your computer. Here's how.

Your computer uses random access memory to temporarily store data. Every operating system has a virtual memory manager. Virtual memory is used in conjunction with the RAM chips to store data. Say, for example, you have a 64 MB RAM chip, but you are running programs that require up to 128 MB or memory - your RAM would typically not be able to not handle that kind of program. That's where the virtual memory comes in.

Virtual memory creates a swap file that is used to help RAM store temporary data. If you are currently using 128 MB of memory and you have only 64 MB of RAM, the virtual memory manager determines which data is currently being used. This data is temporarily stored in the RAM; the rest is stored on the hard drive until it is needed. When the computer needs to use the data on the hard drive, that data is "swapped" with the data on the RAM that is no longer needed. This swap is what slows down your computer. While data is being swapped, it feels like the computer is lagging or crawling.

So as to reduce the number of times your computer needs to swap files, you will need to install more RAM chips. This allows for more data to be stored on random access memory, which is much more faster than the hard drive. Because more data can be stored on the RAM chip, the computer does not have to swap files as much. Because of this, your computer performs much more efficiently.

Now, the seemingly obvious logic would be to add as much RAM as possible to your computer to maximize its performance. This does not necessarily hold true. Random access memory increases your computer's performance only up to a certain point. Say, for example, if you only use programs that need just up to 128 megabytes of RAM, having RAM chips that are 1 gigabyte would just be a waste of money, because your computer will not need or use that much RAM.

On the other hand, adding RAM is often the least expensive, most effective way to enhance your PC's performance, short of buying a new one.