Easy methods to add extra memory to your PC
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There is often a variety of explanation why your computer is running slow such as its hard drive being nearly full or fragmented or a virus or that there is not enough memory in your computer to run your programs efficiently. This article considers the last of these causes and explains the best way to speed up your PC with more memory.
The amount of memory in your computer referred to as RAM (Random Access Memory) is a vital factor in determining how fast your computer runs. With a limited quantity of this RAM memory inside your computer the processor in the computer is going to need to spending time moving information in and out of the memory into the hard disk drive. Time spent by the processor moving data in and out of memory is time not spent actually running your applications, hence why they are running slower. Adding further memory to your computer system (if there is room available) will allow additional applications or data to remain in memory, reducing the amount of time wasted by the processor moving information to and from memory into the hard disk.
When you have had your computer or laptop for a number of years and you may notice that it's running slower than it did when it was brand new. This can be because of new software you added to the computer or any software you upgraded as these may be larger programs and so will likely be using up more of the available memory.
If you would like to discover if memory may be making your computer run slow, ensure the memory usage by running Windows Task Manager. To start Task Manager simply press Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time (Vista users should click Start Task Manager) and then click the Performance tab. Check the number against 'Available' (or 'Free' in Vista) in the 'Physical Memory' section is getting extremely low for example if it is about 10% you most likely require additional memory in your computer.
In the main an average Windows XP user will find that 1GB of RAM will provide them acceptable system performance. Should you be a user running many demanding programmes simultaneously or the programmes do lots of working with digital video or other big graphics files then you should have 2GB or more of RAM.
When upgrading your PC to run a more recent Windows operating system aim to have no less than 1GB of memory, but as these Windows operating systems may use more memory themselves it may be a good idea to have 2GB or more of memory.
If you decided you need to increase the quantity of memory in your system to improve its performance you'll want to answer the following questions:-
1. Are there vacant memory card slots in the computer?
2. Will I you need to remove some or all of the current memory to create space for new memory cards containing more memory?
3. What type of memory does your system require?
4. Is your computer using dual-channel memory, if so then you will need to install a pair of memory cards for maximum performance?
One way to obtain the answers to these questions would be to read the computer manuals. Then again a simpler way is to use the computer you need to upgrade to surf to a reliable memory manufacturer’s internet site. These memory supplier internet sites have online tools which will examine your computer to identify the correct memory for that computer. These internet based tools can let you know what memory you are currently using, if you have any vacant memory slots and what upgrade alternatives are available.
With these web based tools it is possible to clearly see your upgrade options and they really help you to make sure you are buying the correct memory for your system.
Make certain that when your new memory is delivered you read your computer manual first to understand the right way to open up your computer and properly slot in the new memory. It is important to know that when handling memory any static electricity can damage these delicate memory chips and your computer’s other circuits. This is the reason you have to read the computer manual as it should explain that you must unplug your computer from the mains electric supply before opening the computer. It should then explain that you must earth yourself to the metalwork inside your computer (simply touching a part of the metalwork is all you have to do), while removing your new memory from its protective packaging and removing and adding memory to the motherboard in your computer.
If you want to know of an appropriate internet site that includes an online memory upgrade tool click a link within the Author Resource information section for this article to go to my website for more information.
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Author Resource:-
Click on the following link for information on a suitable internet based memory upgrade tool to upgrade memory in computer or other types of computer memory upgrading.
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By :
Bill Hunter
Submitted
2010-09-03 08:46:06 |
Article From Article Mayhem
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