All About Computer System’s Memory

The technology is growing at a very high rate, leading to the introduction of modern computer processors, which can perform over billion operations at a given second, and also processing an incredible amount of data in the shortest time possible. The processors should be able to manage all these processes.

As the computer processor performs these operations, it needs a storage for non-finished and finished operations, these may be either be permanently or temporary.

In short, the computer needs storage space for data that it is not being worked on (to be used in future), the one being worked on.

For these to happen, a computer should feature Random Access Memory (RAM) and hard disk drives. While the RAM provides short-term memory storage, hard disk drives provide long-term memory storage.




Even though the hard drives can store data permanently, they work at a very low speed, making it very hard to perform some crucial processes, and it can be very hard for the processor to perform all the operations very fast and on time.

RAM can be the only solution, which provides very first access for the computer processor.

As stated above, Random Access Memory (RAM) acts as the short term memory of a computer. This physical hardware inside your computer, serves as your computer working memory as it stores data temporary.

With RAM when the power is switch off, all the information stored in it isn’t saved. As it allows the computer to perform various operations at a given time, RAM enhances your computer performance.

Your PC needs Random Access Memory (RAM) to use data quickly!

The main purpose of RAM is to provide both quick read and write access to a storage device. It is much quicker loading data with RAM than computer hard drive.

Let us look at the case where you have both office desk and filing cabinet. While you use the desk for temporary storage of writing tools, documents and other item you need in the moment, the filing cabinet is used to store already processed documents or documents that need to be processed in future.

We can compare RAM with your ‘office desk’ as it is used for quick access of relevant data that needs to be processed in the shortest time possible.




Unlike RAM, hard drives take a lot of time to access the data needed due to some physical limitations such as rotation speed. Although RAM works with your hard drive and are both regarded as computer ‘memory’, they are two different things. Unlike RAM, the hard drive does not lose data when the computer is shut down. But still, there is one way that you can cope with RAM losing data when the computer is shut down, known as computer hibernation.

What does hibernating a computer entails? Putting your computer into hibernation mode helps to copy RAM data to the computer hard drive when you shut down your computer, and when the computer is powered on the data is copied back to the RAM.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

How much RAM you need depends on what you plan to use your computer for or what is the use of your computer (what you use it for).

For instance, as a gamer who likes heavy gaming, you should look for a computer that has enough RAM for smooth gaming. Purchasing and using a computer that features 2GB of Ram yet your game requires at least 4GB RAM will lead to poor computer performance, and sometimes inability to play the game at all.

On the other hand, in case you are looking for a computer for light internet browsing and no memory-intensive applications, games and streaming, you can get along with a computer with less memory.

Prior to purchasing a computer, you should find out how much RAM you need to perform certain tasks such as video editing, gaming, light browsing among others.

In fact, find out how much RAM a specific game or software (especially the ones you are going to perform or the reason you are purchasing a computer) will require.

Nowadays it is very hard to find a new PC, tablet or laptop that features pre-installed RAM that is less than 2 to 4 GB.

Most common purposes for a computer are internet browsing, video streaming and other normal application use, which does not require any more RAM.

However, in case you have a particular use for your computer, you can look for more RAM.

Suggested Link: How Much Ram Do I Need? – Answered

Let’s See How Does RAM Works;

Computer users normally refer Random Access Memory as ‘memory’. RAM is very useful part of a computer for temporary storage of instructions and data need to perform a certain computer operation.

Thus enabling the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of a computer to quickly access the instructions and data stored in RAM.

A good demonstration of this is when the computer CPU loads an application program, like page layout or word processing program, thus enabling the application program to work efficiently and quickly.

In other words, loading a program into the RAM helps you to get your task done effectively in the shortest time possible.

The processing begins once you key in command from your PC. Your PC CPU will interpret the command and give instruction to the computer hard drive to load the program or command into the RAM.

This enables the CPU to have a quick access to the loaded data, which can be a bit hard if the CPU hard to retrieve the program or data directly from the hard drive.

Sometimes people do place several related files in a single folder, to avoid wasting time looking for the files or to keep all them files required to perform a certain task within reach.

You can relate how RAM works to such a case; RAM put all the things required by CPU to perform a certain task in place so that the CPU can easily access them. RAM stores working parts of the OS (Operating System) and data being used by your PC applications temporarily.

Suggested Links:

• Finding – What Type of Ram My Computer Support or I’ve Installed?
  
• Ram Upgrade – Why, How and How Much?

“And that’s all for now, thanks for sticking with the article, and you know it will always good to let me know about the tutorial, in the comments down below.” 🙂