How Does RAM Affect Your Computer?
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About RAM
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RAM (random access memory), also sometimes called main memory or primary storage, is your computer's memory. The more RAM in your computer, the more memory your computer has available, and the faster it can run your programs. You should buy programs that require less RAM than is stored in your computer, or you should have more RAM installed if possible. The RAM is made up of memory chips that are set in a memory module (a type of circuit board) that the processor reads from and writes information to.
Using RAM
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Your computer uses RAM by loading files from the hard drive or another permanent storage device for your computer to work with until you turn the computer off. As you work on your computer, you can load more programs from the hard drive into RAM as long as you have enough RAM to operate all of the programs. Once the computer is on, the processor reads and operates the files in RAM. Be aware that the contents in RAM are dumped when the computer is turned off, so save your work to some type of permanent storage before shutting down your computer. The program's contents are also dumped from RAM when you turn off the program.
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How RAM Works
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When you turn on your computer, the computer loads operating system files into RAM in order to work your user interface. The instructions to operate the next program you open will be loaded into RAM along with the operating system files and all work you do within that program. Then, when you turn off the program, all of the instructions are deleted from RAM. When the computer is turned off, the operating system instructions are deleted.
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