Frequently clients ask us why their computer is running so slow despite the fact that they have a lot of space on their hard drive. This unfortunately is a common misconception amongst even the savviest of computer users, since a computer’s speed is not dictated by the size of the hard drive but is heavily influenced by the amount of memory (RAM) a computer has. A computer uses different types of “storage”, RAM (Random Access Memory), and the Hard Drive. RAM or memory is considered temporary storage for the applications the computer is running right at that moment, similar to a workspace. Where as the Hard Drive is the piece of hardware where the applications and data is actually written (saved) onto metal disk platters. Even though these disk platters can have a tremendous amount of storage space, only a limited number of items can be ran by the system (utilizing RAM) at any given time.
An age-old illustration used by computer techs to explain the different functions of RAM and a hard drive is to compare your computer to a desk. The work surface of the desk can be compared to the computer’s RAM; you use the surface of the desk to lay out documents that you are currently working on. You can move documents around while you are accessing the information from them; however, your desk surface can only accommodate a specific number of documents. Once your desk surface has reached the maximum number of documents it can hold, you will need to put one away in the filing cabinet in order to view another document. The filing cabinet in this case would be the hard drive, where you store all of your documents when they are not in use. In addition, similarly with your desk, RAM does not remember any of your data or applications once they are filed away (saved) into the hard drive and the computer is turned off.
How much RAM your computer needs to run at optimum speed is primarily dictated by what operating system your computer has installed. A good rule of thumb is: for Windows XP a minimum of 1GB, for Windows Vista 3GB and for Windows 7 4GB of RAM or above. Another thing to keep in mind when upgrading your RAM is what will the computer be used for? If this is a gaming computer, or you work with CAD programs, large graphics files or video editing then you should opt for more memory. To see how much memory (RAM) is installed in your computer; right click on My Computer (Computer if you are running Vista or above), select Properties, and look at the General tab on the bottom of the window under the computer heading. Adding RAM will allow you to run your current applications, and possibly additional applications, at a faster rate. Generally, RAM is an inexpensive upgrade, simple to install, and the results are instant.