Will Adding More Memory Speed Up My Computer?

Computer memory

It is likely that installing additional memory (RAM) will make your computer noticeably faster. The Random Access Memory (RAM) is the fast memory your computer uses while it is processing tasks and running programs.

Background

When you load a program on your computer it loads into the fast RAM memory you have available. As you load more programs, you use more of your available RAM.

If you run low on RAM, your computer may have to move information between your RAM and your slower hard disk drive, causing it to freeze or run slowly.

If this happens frequently, it is likely that adding more memory will speed up your computer.

Considerations

When deciding how much memory you need, if is useful to consult the information made available by your computer and software manufacturers. Most software comes with minimum and recommended hardware specifications.

Remember that the more programs you have running at once, the more memory you are likely to need.

Warning

Although it is a fairly simple process to add memory to a computer, it can invalidate your warranty and does require some basic hardware knowledge. You may prefer to ask someone more qualified to order the correct RAM and install it for you.

References

• Microsoft: Add more memory to your computer