RAM: What Is It and Why Do You Need It?

Clipboard, Maximum RAM, Memory, Ophtek, RAM, , ,
16
Mar 2021

RAM is one of those terms which is frequently mentioned by IT professionals, but rarely understood by the average PC user. So, what is it?

Random Access Memory (RAM) may sound like a confusing combination of words, but without RAM your PC wouldn’t be able to do a single thing. Therefore, it’s as crucial. The most important element of RAM to focus on is the M for Memory. Much like humans, a PC needs memory to carry out certain tasks. However, RAM is different to human memory in numerous ways. And the best way to understand what it is and what is does is by looking at our lowdown on RAM.

What is RAM?

RAM is the part of a PC which acts as the machine’s memory. Information can be stored and read from the RAM in milliseconds. This allows the RAM to act as a temporary store for data that is either in use or will be required next. The speed with which this data can be accessed is exceptionally quick. Data can be accessed and processed in RAM much quicker than any hard drive, so it should always be the go-to option for loading applications. And, as you would imagine, the more RAM installed on your PC, then the quicker the performance e.g. applications loading quicker.

Why Do You Need RAM?

It wouldn’t be inaccurate to describe RAM as the backbone of your PC’s performance, but a more accurate term to use would be its memory. RAM allows you to carry out the following:

  • Switch Tasks: If you’ve ever switched between applications with the ALT + TAB shortcut then you have your RAM to thank. If you’re working in Excel and then move into Outlook, this order is stored in the RAM. That’s why, if you then press ALT + TAB again, your PC knows to send you back to Excel from Outlook.
  • The Clipboard: The ‘copy’ command is an invaluable process on PCs that allows you to copy information from one location and then ‘paste’ it into another. So, for example, you can copy a paragraph of text from Word and then paste it into an Outlook email. Once you copy the text in question, it is stored on the ‘clipboard’ which is located in the RAM.
  • Loading Applications:When you load up an application, RAM is the starting point. The application will partially be loaded into the RAM to facilitate a fast loading time. However, the application will not be fully loaded into the RAM. The operating system will then head to the hard drive to retrieve the next part of the application and move this into the RAM.

Final Thoughts

The minimum amount of RAM a modern PC should be running with is 4GB, but the amount required is dependent on your needs. If, for example, your PC work involves complex graphic rendering then you would need up to 32GB to handle your workload. RAM is a form of hardware which requires installing into your PC, so always seek advice to determine how much you need.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Best Practices for Buying Small Business Computers

Best Practices, Best Processor, Maximum RAM, Operating System, Small Business Computers, , ,
24
Jul 2018

 

Small businesses need computers just as much as multi-global corporations do, but the way they go about choosing them is a little different.

In a small business, for example, consistency is more likely to be required across the board. In a larger business, however, there is bound to be more diversity required, especially in terms of the technology required for different departments. Therefore, choosing a computer for a small business needs to be approached in the correct manner to ensure you get the technology for your needs.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a quick list of the best practices for buying small business computers:

The Best Processor is Key

If you want your business to remain competitive then you need to make sure that your PCs have the best processors you can afford. After all, the driving force of your PC and what it can do comes straight from the processor. It may be tempting to drop 0.5Ghz from your processor to save costs, but this can cost you more in terms of productivity due to the drop in power.

Settle on One Operating System

For a small business, there’s no need to start working with multiple different operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS and Linux. Windows and Mac OS are fairly similar in terms of function, so investing in multiple licenses for these different systems can soon rack up your expenses. Instead, stick to either one or the other as this also minimizes internal training costs.

Get the Right System for Your Needs

A good business PC can remain in use for at least five years, so you are going to get a lot of use out of it. And that’s why you need to make sure it’s the right one for your needs. In-depth research needs to be carried out on your existing PCs to see what they can and can’t do. Once you understand their limitations and your needs, you can begin to search for models which solve these issues. This keeps your workforce happy and guarantees that you won’t have to buy a new range six months later when they don’t gel.

Don’t Cut Costs

Cheap computers are the last pieces of equipment that your organization wants. What you need are computers that pride themselves on their quality and lack of technical issues. Time is money and a cheap computer will end up costing you a lot of downtime. It may make your bank balance wince, but the productivity boost that a more expensive PC brings is more than worth it.

Fill All Available RAM Slots

When you’re buying a new PC, it’s important that you make sure all its RAM slots are filled to give you the fastest performance possible. Often, some of these slots are left empty to allow for future expansion. However, the best time to expand is at the point of purchase rather than a couple of years down the line. Speak to your dealer and ask them to ensure that you have the maximum amount of RAM affordable.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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