The RAM, or random-access memory of your computer is used by the system to store data for processing by a computer’s central processing unit (CPU). RAM stores the data in memory cells that are arranged in grids, from which data, in the binary form of 0′s and 1′s, can be accessed and transferred at random to the CPU for processing by the system’s software.
The information that is stored in a hard disk drive cannot be accessed at random. Whole sectors of blocks containing data are transferred from the hard disk drive, put into a large swap file on the same drive, and only then are the selected files transferred to RAM for random access by the CPU.
When the computer is turned off, all of the data in the RAM is lost, whereas all of the information on the hard disk is retained permanently until it is intentionally erased.
RAM (Random Access Memory) or main memory is where a computer stores programs, applications or data that is being used. Essentially the more RAM a computer has the more programs the computer can run simultaneously without showing a large slowdown in performance.
In order to be able to increase the random-access memory of your computer, you have to know the type of RAM that it utilizes, the way that the RAM is configured, and the number of RAM slots that are open and available.
The Following steps will help you through the process of increasing the RAM of your computer:
1. Check the owner’s manual that came with your computer or the manual for the motherboard to find out whether the RAM is parity or nonparity. This information can also generally be obtained from the website of the company that you purchased your computer from.
2. Determine the speed of the RAM (for example, 60 nanoseconds).
3. Find out if the computer uses single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) or dual line memory modules (DIMMs).
4. Determine whether the computer utilizes regular, EDO, FPM, or Synch DRAMM.
5. Check the number of pins on the motherboard: 30, 72, or 168.
4. Remove the cover from the computer to determine the number of available RAM slots. You are looking for between two and eight equally-sized parallel sockets on the main circuit board. Normally, at least two of these slots will contain RAM. The RAM looks like ruler-shaped circuit boards with chips on one or both sides.
5. Purchase additional RAM sticks that correspond with the existing memory specifications.
6. Slide the new RAM sticks into the available RAM sockets.
It’s as simple as that. You have increased the RAM (main memory) of your computer, and the overall speed with which it can carry out simultaneous functions. You can now begin multitasking without any fear of your system bogging down.
