WHY SHOULD I UPGRADE MY MEMORY?

Author: David C Smith
One of the very best upgrades you can make for your computer is to install more memory. Usually its more cost-effective than almost any other upgrade you might look at. And isnt that the purpose? To get the most bang for your upgrade buck.

Not only is installing more memory pretty cheap, most people can get it done for between $50-200. But, its also the most effective as well. It can improve your entire computing experience. From browsing the web, to doing multi-tasking, having more than one computer program running. Its especially important in families where the computer is used by different users. As that can be very memory intensive.

In todays computing world, you need at a very minimum 512MB of memory, and if youre going to be using Windows Vista, youd be better served with at least 1GB of memory. While youll find high-end systems with 2-4GB or more of memory.

However, knowing that you need memory is the easy part. Finding what memory you need for your specific computer is the hard part. It would be much simpler if it was like DVDs, every DVD runs in every DVD player. However, memory comes in different sizes, speed ratings and they are not all compatible with each other. Take note that laptop memory is generally a different size than what you can find in desktops. So, you wont find it interchangeable. The first place to look is in the users manual or any documentation you have with the computer, or on the manufacturers website.

What you must keep in mind is that sometimes its difficult to match the memory you need with the computer. You have to have the right size, and picking the right speed memory makes a difference as well. When you have a laptop the problem is especially apparent. Laptops are notorious for not having much space for memory, and being picky about the memory that will run in them. Usually the users manual or the website of the computer company can help you determine what type of memory you need to upgrade.

Typically you can find much of this in your users manual, or the manufacturers website. If not many of the memory manufacturers such as Kingston and Crucial have excellent websites that have the specs for most of the computers made in the last decade or two. Thats an excellent backup source of information.

Once youve done it once, youll quickly realize that upgrading your memory isnt that difficult and youll find your computing experience to be much more pleasurable. Getting a good memory upgrade can prolong the useful life of even ancient(4-5 year old) computers by allowing them to be functional for years longer. If you find your computer processes to be slowing down, and youre waiting around for what seems like hours for the most trivial tasks, exploring a memory upgrade might be an important step for you.

Just to be clear, we are talking about computer memory or RAM. The day is not quite here where we can upgrade our own memory with cybernetic chips. Or at least not that "they" are telling us.

Most people find that installing more memory in your computer can be quite cheap, and is usually pretty helpful. It allows you to do more tasks, more efficiently. For instance having more memory could help an excel spreadsheet to run a calculation faster. Opening up two Internet browsers wouldnt cause the whole computer to get slower. Even opening up a computer program to run it would be faster.

For the most part its best to start with at the very least 512MB, and with memory as cheap as it is these days, and with the future in mind, 1GB should be your goal. Especially if youre going to run Windows Vista or be using the computer for games or anything more than just simple web browsing and word processors. Its not uncommon today to see two to four gigabytes in your high-end computers.

The problem is not all computers are made equally. You cant just run down to your neighborhood computer store, and buy any old memory and expect that youre going to be able to get it to work with your computer. Laptops in particular are especially unforgiving of the memory that can be installed. There are different speed variations of memory, different sizes (laptops use different size than desktops). Generally you can consult with your manufacturer of your computer, or your documentation to find out what type of memory chip you need.

So, once you have the right size figured out, you have to go one step extra. You have to find out if you have the room to install more memory in your computer. Each computer has a limited amount of physical space to install the memory, and a limit to how much memory can be used. So, youll have to find out how much physical space is available, and what the impact will be if you have to switch smaller chips with bigger chips. For instance if your computer has two slots filled with 256MB chips for a total of 512MB, and you bought two 512MB chips. You would only have 1GB of memory, and the old 256MB chips will not be able to be used. Its a little complicated, but worth the trouble to figure out.

Typically you can find much of this in your users manual, or the manufacturers website. If not many of the memory manufacturers such as Kingston and Crucial have excellent websites that have the specs for most of the computers made in the last decade or two. Thats an excellent backup source of information.

Once youve done it once, youll quickly realize that upgrading your memory isnt that difficult and youll find your computing experience to be much more pleasurable. Getting a good memory upgrade can prolong the useful life of even ancient(4-5 year old) computers by allowing them to be functional for years longer. If you find your computer processes to be slowing down, and youre waiting around for what seems like hours for the most trivial tasks, exploring a memory upgrade might be an important step for you.

FORGETFUL? FIVE BASIC RULES FOR MEMORY

Author: Chris Landolfi
Forgetful? Five Basic Rules for Memory

All computers possess the ability to store information in its memory, also called Random Access Memory, or RAM. Some computers can hold small amounts of stored data in the memory and others have the ability to store massive amounts of information. Whether looking at memory for your next computer or trying to improve the memory on an existing computer, there are five basic rules for memory.

Knowing about RAM is the first rule for computer memory. Random access memory is a type of computer storage that allows files and information to be used. This process allows quick access to data that programs use. Most computer users have a version of Windows, such as Windows 95 or Windows XP as their operating system. Those who have Mac computers use another operating system. When looking at RAM for your computer, it is important to look at the size. Most computers users need a minimum of 128 MB. However, the larger the MB size, the better the computer will operate.

New computers with newer versions of Windows will need more RAM to run smoothly while an older version of Windows will require less RAM. Also, while a minimum amount of RAM will allow the system to operate, it may not perform at as well as it should. Therefore, a computer purchased today should contain at least 512MB to operate effeciently.

Another rule to remember when thinking about computer memory will be to become familiar with cache and how cache works. Cache, pronounced like "cash", is a special type of high-speed memory. The cache is a buffer between the processor and the main memory (or RAM). It will send data into the processes. This allows the computer to do the same functions over and over again. When the computer is called on to retrieve data, it will search the internal cache first. If the information is not found in the cache, it will search in the external cache chips next and then in the RAM last.

A cache holds all redundant information to save memory space and help the computer increase the speed. When the computer becomes slow, it is often recommended to clean the cache files and cookies that have been stored. By clearing space from these places, it allows the computer to process information faster. When it cannot locate the information in the cache, it will look in external cache chips and in the RAM. An example of how cache works is when a page on the Internet has been stored into the computer. This allows the user to go back to the last page or forward to the next.

Knowing what makes a computer work fast is another good rule for computer memory. Megahertz (MHz) is the speed measuring how fast a computer can think. Computers come in a wide variety of megahertz. This measurement of chip performance is expressed as millions of cycles per second. The higher MHz a computer has, the faster it will run. This directly affects how fast the computer can operate computers and commands. Some speeds on computers are measured in gigahertz (GHz). Gigahertz is measured in billions of cycles per second. One GHz is the same as 1000MHz. Computers with GHz are often used with programs that use multimedia applications. Typical processor speeds today include 2.4GHz, 2.8GHz, and 3.0GHz.

The last two rules of computer memory involve keeping the computer's memory clean and free to store more information and updating memory. Computers take a lot of memory to keep going. Storing too much information on a system is the number one way to slow the computer down. Having too much stored in the memory bogs the computer down and will often cause computers to crash as well. When a computer becomes slow, it is often necessary to clean the computer's memory by defragging the system or deleting unnecessary files and programs.

This article has been written with the intention of showing some illumination to the meaning of buying computer. This is so that those who don't know much about buying computers can learn more about it.

Computer users can find out how much memory their computers have by checking the system control panel in Windows. That information can be located in the About This Computer menu on a Mac. This can also tell the user how much RAM the computer can handle and what type of memory and the speed of the RAM. New memory for an older computer can be updated easily and inexpensively if more is needed.

Most computer technicians can install more memory into the computer with minimal cost. When looking to hire someone to install computer memory it is recommended to purchase RAM from a vendor that gives a good guarantee. And always remember to back up all files on a disk before having the memory upgraded.