The
acronym stands for random
access memory.
RAM helps your computer run applications. Your
computer stores temporary information within the
memory cells and refers to the data as it runs
applications. If the information isn't in your
computer's RAM, the computer has to refer to its
hard drive. This is slower than pulling information
from RAM. So if your computer doesn't have enough
RAM to run multiple applications or even one big
program, it may feel like it's just crawling along.
Every computer has a maximum amount of RAM it
can handle. Once you hit that limit, you've gone as far
as you can go with your hardware. But unless you've
customized your machine, chances are your
computer has plenty of capacity for more RAM.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE UPGRADING OR REPLACING YOUR RAM
ONE STICK OR TWO?
1. How much memory is installed already on the computer
2.
Check your PC's RAM usage by opening Windows
Task Manager. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del (Vista/win7 and win8) users will
have to click Start Task Manager) and click the
Performance tab. If the figure next to 'Available' (or
'Free' in Vista) under 'Physical Memory' hovers
around zero and your PC seems sluggish, you need
more RAM.
NB: I advise you do these when you the start most of the the programmes you often make use of. You can also click the resource monitor to know how many percent of ram is used. But one thumb rule is that, when ever the system is sluggish and its not infected by viruses or worms. You really need an upgrade.
3. How much RAM do I need?
The average Windows XP user should be satisfied
with 1GB of RAM. Our tests, which involve working
with images and using Nero Express to burn CDs, ran
one-third faster when we upgraded from 512MB of
RAM to 1GB. Power users who simultaneously run
lots of demanding applications, or anyone regularly
working with digital video or other large graphics
files, will want at least 2GB. If you're planning to
upgrade your PC to Windows Vista, you can still get
away with 1GB, but for a more comfortable
experience we recommend 2GB of RAM(win vista/win7/win8).
4. What kind of RAM works on my PC?
RAM comes in many flavors, including DDR, DDR2,
and DDR3. Newer technologies offer faster
performance, but most motherboards accept only
one type of RAM. Check your PC's manual to find out
what type of RAM modules you need and how they
have to be installed
5. I have 2GB, can I add 1gb?
You are right about mixing different RAM modules—if there's
one thing you absolutely can't mix, it's DDR with DDR2, or
DDR2 with DDR3, and so on (they won't even fit in the same
slots). RAM is pretty complicated, but there are a few things you
can mix and a few things you shouldn't. In any case, I don't
recommend it. If you're buying new RAM, you're probably
going to make your life a lot easier by buying the exact same
model as you currently have in your machine. That said, if you
absolutely have to mix them, here are some general guidelines.
You want to make sure each stick has the same CAS latency,
timings, and voltage. NB CAS latency, timing, voltage, frequency should be same to really see effect of the upgrade and save your mother boards of future damage due to over working.
6. Brands to go for..for my many years experience on rams, I have found some brands very reliable.
But OEM's like HP, Dell, Toshiba, samsung, Acer and rest do not provide these information of on FSB speed/frequency, processor frequency and rest which are undermining factor to consider before replacing or upgrading rams. But always make sure you ram frequency is higher than the board frequency.

BENEFITS OF UPGRADING WITH RIGHT RAMS
1. Increased performance of your pc software
2 reduced heat because the system will not over work its self
3. Your computer hardware (board and its peripherals) will last longer
3. Little or no failure of your machine leading to less loss of data
And many more

BRANDS TO BUY.
From my many years experience, kingston has been my choice but now in Nigeria, you hardly get originals..most are refurbished. They just paste the stickers. Some when buying, do a thorough visual inspection but here is a list of of some reliable ones in market for now
1. ADATA
2. Corsair
3. EVM
4. G.Skill
5. Kingston
6. Transcend
Transcend are really impressing now.
God bless us all. God bless Nigeria. For all of your computer electronic/electrical. assistance, feel free to call or mail. Isaacodinakafranklin@gmail.com
08136379363(B.eng electrical/electronics and computer engineering). mNSE

Thumb up

c0mprehensive article.. ..l0ve it

God will bless u.

op more grease o ur elbow ojere

DAVE5:
op more grease o ur elbow ojere

amen

hajjisemiu:
God will bless u.

amen

ExperTrait:
amen

amin jesu

You didn't mention the various ram speeds, 1600MHz,1866MHz,2133MHz,2400MHz and timing


Knowledgeable all the same