How to Choose the Right Amount of RAM for Your Computer

Your computer uses random-access memory (RAM) to store the operating system, open applications, and data you're currently working on. The computer can access data in RAM much faster than data on your hard disk. Having too little RAM can slow down your computer or prevent you from opening applications or completing tasks.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• RAM
• Computers

1. Buy a computer with at least 64 MB of RAM to run Windows 98 or Mac OS 8.x and basic applications.

2. Get at least 96 MB of RAM if you wish to keep several applications open at once.

3. Consider 96 or 128 MB of RAM for working with scanned color photographs.

4. Choose at least 128 MB of RAM if using professional graphics or design software or multimedia software, such as streaming audio and video.

5. Consider buying a machine with lots of RAM now, rather than adding it later, to take advantage of the current low price of memory.

Tips & Warnings

• DIMMs, or dual in-line memory modules, are sold in multiples of 32 MB. All new computers use DIMMs.
• Buy a computer with open DIMM sockets, if possible, so that you can add more RAM easily. If you have no open DIMM sockets, you'll have to replace some of your existing RAM to upgrade.
• RAM is called "random-access" because the computer can get information from any part of RAM directly - it doesn't have to cycle through from the beginning of RAM to find the data it's looking for.
• If your computer doesn't have enough RAM, it has to keep going back to your hard disk to get information before you can work, which makes it slow.

[jporcenaluk]

on 7/29/2009 Wow. How technology changes. Perhaps if you want to you could add 2 GB cards, for about $40 a pop, to your computer. Lol. That might be more beneficial than 256 mb of ram.

[archangel564]

on 7/26/2009 From all the information I've gained and learning from the Pros, I found that having 256 MB of ram is way too little. XP can eat up all 256 MB just by itself. I've learned this the hard way on my system which is 9 yrs old now (I'm currently building a new system as money allows). When I doubled my ram to 512 MB I found it ran a lot faster. Be careful when adding ram to your system. If you install 4 GB on a system running WinXP Pro 32 bit, it will only recognize up to 3 GB. 64 bit operating systems will recognize 4 GB and more.

[LynGarl]

on 7/18/2009 This was written in 2005 and is a bit outdated. (as everyone has posted)
In 2009 RAM is in GBs now. You need at least 5 or more to easily run some of the programs now, or play some of the advanced graphics games online.

on 7/30/2006 If you have the money to spare, fill all your slots with 1 gb RAM chips. Theres no such thing as too much memory, only too little.

Also, I don't know why people are obsessed with 128 minimum. I would say the absolute minimum in todays computer world is 256 megs, and that's only if you really can't afford more. 512 should do you good, but I upgraded from 512 to 3 gigs a few months back, and I have to say, it has really improved every aspect of my computer.

on 1/6/2006 Look at the amount of RAM included in their basic model and then double it. That should be the practical right amount. However, for notebook computer, go for the max you are willing to pay. Notebook computer usually has only 1 empty slot for additional RAM. So you should either increase it right away, or wait until the price drop to a level you feel comfortable.