To help you make the right choice when purchasing a new business computer this week we will be looking at how much RAM or memory you need for your desktop PC or laptop. How much RAM (memory) do I need? RAM stands for Random Access Memory. This is the temporary 'working' memory in your desktop PC or laptop - it holds the information your computer is using right now to run your application. As more information is required it gets swapped with information that is stored on the hard drive. In this way the information that is needed most is closest to hand when your computer needs it. RAM or Memory is sometimes confused with storage capacity (hard drive).
So you can see that the amount of RAM in your machine will determine how many applications you can run at one time and how quickly they will run. The amount of RAM can make a big difference to the performance of your desktop PC or laptop. As RAM is generally a cheap component (around $100 per 2GB), we recommend purchasing a good amount of RAM initially, to avoid having to upgrade later.
Most machines today will come with a minimum of 4GB of RAM.
Another factor to consider when deciding how much RAM to purchase is what operating system your machine will be running. This is because some operating systems are limited in how much RAM they can use. If you are running a 32-bit operating system, there is no point in installing more than 4GB of RAM, as the operating system cannot address(use) more that 4GB. If you are running a 64-bit operating system, you can increase your RAM to 8GB or more depending on what applications you will be running and your budget.
For example if you are running the 32-bit version of Windows 7 and you use applications such as Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and Outlook 4GB of RAM is recommended. However, if you are have the 64-bit version of Windows 7 and you use video editing applications 8GB of RAM would be more appropriate.
So, buy as much RAM as you can afford up to the limit of your operating system to ensure the best performance from your new PC or laptop.
Of course if you need more information please contact our friendly Helpdesk Support team.
Next week we will be looking at how much storage you need on your business computer.
Michael Goodwin began his career in Information Technology in 1992 and he brings a wealth of experience to his is current venture - Loyal I.T. Solutions. Based on the NSW Central Coast, Loyal IT Solutions services businesses large and small from Sydney to Newcastle. Visit http://www.loyalit.com.au for helpful tips on all your business computer needs.
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