How RAM Works | Choosing Compatible RAM for Upgrade

RAM or random access memory is just another kind of computer storage which uses integrated circuits to process and store data. The computer uses the RAM to keep track of running applications by putting data in it, where it can access the data easily any given time the program request for the data.

The whole process of running a program is just a repeated moving of data from the RAM to be processed and over and again, which results to your basic application. However, one thing you should know is how RAM can make your computer run faster, or why sometimes slower.

Take for instance you run a program (practically in Windows Seven there is a gadget called a CPU meter which can also watch memory). You were running the program, and you see that the memory isn't full. You opened several other programs and yet the memory isn't full. But then you feel the slowdown effect. Why? But it's not full yet.

"Random" Access Memory answers why. Random, meaning that computer can access data in the memory from any given place, in random. Further increasing memory load, reduces the empty RAM space for the computer to randomly search causing the gradual slowdown of the computer.

Choosing the Right RAM for your computer

There are several types of memory for upgrading your computer, and compatibility is always an issue.

As for older motherboards, you can use DDR1 SDRAM, while modern motherboards can support DDR2 and DDR3. Not going to the specifics, DDR1, 2, 3: and 3 being the fastest.

To get a compatibility list for your motherboard, you can either contact your vendor or go to your motherboard manufacturer's website and check on the versions and compatible devices that they offer for your system.

Another thing is the RAM slot. Before buying a memory for your computer, first check the available space for more memory modules, commonly a computer contains two or more slots.

A RAM module can be of different sizes, 512MB or higher. And lower for older memory modules.