What does Ram do for your computer?

The Random Access Memory or RAM in your computer helps your system carry out a number of different tasks such as loading certain applications, browsing the internet, editing a document or playing the latest online game with ease. Memory is so important because it allows your computer undertake the simplest of task. The more memory your computer has, the more effective your computer will be. When you switch on your computer and open up a Word document for example, the computer memory will have been used in a number of different ways from loading and operating applications through to responding to commands such as Save, Open or Print, through to switching between multiple programs, memory is always in use by the computer.

Memory plays a pivotal role in the function of your computer because it stores information that your system is actively using. The more programs that you are operating, the more memory is being used.

The memory in your computer operates in a very similar way to your office; it enables you to efficiently work on lots of projects and the larger your office, the more resources you can have such as folders, papers and specific tasks. Memory is very similar. If you leave the office you can store the papers away in a filing cabinet very much in the same way you can on your computer but the filing cabinet is the hard drive. If your computer is sluggish, slow to respond or the performance is particularly poor, it may benefit from a memory upgrade. This is an extremely cost effective way of boosting performance and capacity.

Many new computers are supplied with a very small amount of RAM and adding additional RAM to your system can significantly improve the performance. What can RAM be used for exactly?

1. Multitasking

If your work or study involves multiple documents or they are quite complex, RAM can help you multitask more effectively. A memory upgrade can help you to switch between programs, alternate between working on a graph to typing up a report with relative ease. Extra RAM can help your computer complete these tasks with ease so it doesn’t have to rely so much on the hard drive for data management.

2. Browsing

Perhaps you use the internet to play games or you make a lot of Skype calls, RAM can speed up your system, providing a seamless browsing experience. The speed of your broadband won’t make any difference; if the RAM on your computer is poor, then so too will be its response rate.

3. Printing

If your printing requirements are high perhaps because you have to generate reports, print photographs or other graphics, but the output is incredibly slow, your computer may benefit from a RAM upgrade. Printing queues can be easily fixed by adding more RAM. This in turn can improve productivity particularly in an environment where several PCs are sharing the same printer.

4. Gaming

There is nothing worse for the avid gamer than a slow computer. Although the addition of a graphics card can help it won’t provide the features that you need for today’s gaming. Adding more RAM will allow higher resolution images and provide the power for 3D rendering and excellent character realism.

RAM is an important element of any computer so it is important that you choose a system that supports your requirements or add additional RAM as required. If you already have the maximum amount of memory installed in your computer why not take a look at our article "How to speed up your computer" for more ideas on improving the performance of your PC.