Adding more random access memory (RAM) can speed up your computer, though it’s not guaranteed and often depends on other factors. If a lack of RAM is the only reason for slowness on a fast system, adding more memory will generally improve the speed of operation. When there are issues other than a lack of RAM, adding more memory can help, but these secondary factors need to be addressed to get the best possible performance. In some cases, a computer may simply be too old to run newer applications efficiently, if at all.
A RAM module.
RAM memory check
RAM usage on a computer can be checked in different ways depending on the operating system (OS). On a machine running some version of Windows™, the easiest way to see how much memory your computer has is to view the System screen in Control Panel. Task Manager shows how this memory is being used; pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys opens this program or the option to open it. In this tool, the Performance tab shows a graph of memory resources and how RAM is used can be listed as “physical memory”. Activity Monitor on systems running Mac™ OS displays similar information on the System Memory tab.
A computer motherboard.
Third-party software can also be used to monitor memory and even free up RAM when needed, though this isn’t always the best way to speed up your computer. Freeing RAM means closing programs that are not being used but are using memory. If a system is low on memory or often requires freeing up RAM, installing more RAM can often improve your computer’s speed.
Memory problems can slow down your computer.
adding RAM
Before buying additional RAM, it is important to check the motherboard. The motherboard is the circuit board where most of the crucial components of the computer are located and has a limited amount of space for new memory. The card can be maxed out by the amount of RAM it will support, either in terms of physical bars of RAM or their combined values. For example, a motherboard can only have three RAM slots and a maximum allocation of 12GB. If all three slots are filled with 4 GB memory, no more can be added; If the motherboard has three 2GB devices, one or more can be replaced with 4GB devices to increase RAM within the available space.
Installing additional RAM can help speed up your computer.
There are several different types of RAM, so it’s important for anyone looking to add more to check their computer’s user manual or online to find out which type they need. The wrong type of memory usually won’t fit into the slots on the motherboard, and if it does, the computer usually won’t boot.
RAM usage can be checked using various methods depending on the operating system of the computer.
Adding RAM to a desktop is usually easier than adding RAM to a laptop. Desktop computers with towers or similar cases can usually be opened up and the RAM can be installed directly on the motherboard. Laptops have much less space and use smaller memory sticks which can be more difficult to install correctly. Pre-built computers may also have warranties that are voided by the addition of new components, so this should be considered before any hardware changes.
Defragmenting or freeing up space on a computer’s hard drive can also improve speed.
The purpose of RAM
Within a computer system, RAM effectively acts as part of the “brain.” There are two types of storage used in a computer: long-term memory and short-term memory, just like a human brain. A hard drive acts as long-term memory, storing data for later use. RAM behaves like short-term memory and is used to process information while a program is running.
Adding RAM, or random access memory, to your computer can increase its performance, but computers have a limit to how much RAM they can process.
The numerical value of RAM memory is usually represented in terms of the amount of storage, such as a gigabyte. RAM size indicates how much memory is available to run programs and processes at any given time. With more memory to run programs, multiple pieces of software can be used at the same time without slowing down the computer too much.
Other causes of slow computers
For gamers and people who work with video applications, a slow graphics card can contribute to poor performance. A good graphics card should have its own built-in RAM and graphics processing unit (GPU); otherwise, it will use the resources of the system RAM and the central processing unit (CPU). The motherboard manual usually indicates what types of hardware can be used to improve performance when upgrading to a better card. If the graphics card in a computer is top-notch and the RAM seems fine, then the CPU may need to be upgraded, which can drastically improve the speed of the computer.
Maintenance problems also affect the speed of the computer. Lack of enough hard drive space will slow down performance, as will a fragmented drive. Upgrading to a larger drive can alleviate that part of the problem, and hard drives should be defragmented regularly. Spyware, keyloggers, and other malicious software, also known as malware, can also slow down a computer by consuming system resources. Malware can also be used to steal or damage data and personal information, so an antivirus program and/or a firewall should be used to help protect the system.
In some cases, a computer works fine except for a specific application. Most software has minimum system requirements that must be met for it to work properly, but more memory and processing speed are often needed for exceptional performance. If a system can only meet the minimum requirements, it is likely to have problems running the program. Generally, twice the recommended RAM and processing power is needed to ensure fast and reliable performance with a program.
The computer’s processor and RAM work closely together to execute data instructions.
