What is RAM and how to find out how much RAM is on the computer?

To successfully master a computer, you need to know the basic principles of this technique. What is RAM? This is a temporary computer memory that runs when the unit is turned on, it is necessary for all programs to work. When you turn on or restart the computer, it is erased, so it's important to keep valuable files in time.

RAM - what is it?

RAM is one of the main parts of the computer system, the efficiency of the entire equipment depends on its volume. This is a quick access memory that is started by the storage device. The access speed is determined by the drive's capabilities, and the data is stored only until the computer is turned off. Therefore, all the materials with which work is being done, it is necessary to save. Many people ask themselves: how much RAM will be enough to work? It depends on the system.

This is not about the OS version, but about the bit depth. Find out what kind of system your computer has, by looking at its properties. It can be of two types:

• 32-bit system - no more than 3 GB of RAM;
• 64-bit system - up to 9 GB of RAM.

What is RAM for?

The speed of the computer determines the processor, and the RAM only provides information on demand. As long as the amount of RAM is less than the installed one, the system is powerful. If the RAM is not enough, the system will use the hard disk, which will affect the speed. What is RAM responsible for? For the storage of temporary information it is also called RAM - random access memory. It has its own memory, once it was calculated in megabytes, in the current reality - in gigabytes.

What does RAM affect?

The computer's RAM sets the tempo for all systems when applications are running. The better the properties and spaciousness of the RAM, the faster the tasks that the user sets. RAM affects:

• the speed of the computer;
• on a single system efficiency;
• on the ability of the system to include a lot of capacious resource projects in one.

What happens if there is not enough RAM? The volume of the RAM is a critical factor, in this case, the pages start to load for a long time and folders are opened. Programs hang, sometimes after the command is defined, a blank page appears. A significant feature is the recording frequency, the larger the amount of RAM, the sooner the required information will be opened.

Types of RAM

The types vary depending on the speed of operation, so when choosing this component, you need to know exactly what is optimal for the motherboard of your computer. Operative memory for the computer is determined by 2 parameters:

1. The size.
2. Frequency.

Specialists distinguish 3 types of RAM:

• DDR, frequency up to 400 MHz;
• DDR2, frequency up to 1200 MHz;
• DDR3. frequency up to 2400 MHz.

Types of RAM are distinguished by the characteristics:

1. DRAM - dynamic random access memory. Plus - it is inexpensive, there is always a wide sale. Minus - works slowly, but faster than memory. It represents RAM modules, they are inserted into the motherboard.
2. SRAM - static random access memory. Plus - a device of a special configuration - the ability to run multiple applications at once. Ideal for very fast PCs.

Which RAM is better?

The amount of RAM is determined by the type of PC, which programs will run on it and how many at the same time. Experienced experts recommend the product manufacturers Kingston, Crucial or Samsung. Given that this is RAM and the purpose of RAM and user requirements, it is best to focus on such parameters:

• for a universal computer - 8 GB, the optimal solution will be 2 modules of 4 GB;
• for a gaming computer - 16 GB, also for 2 modules of 8 GB;
• for a laptop - 4 GB.

How do I find out how much RAM is on the computer?

You can determine the amount of RAM in the standard way - using Windows. The scheme of actions, when the RAM is checked, is:

1. Go to My Computer.
2. Open "System Properties", in this folder find the mark "System", in it - "Installed memory".
3. Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open the "Windows Task Manager". You can open it from the Start menu.
4. To find the "Performance" tab in the top part of the window, the "Physical memory" window will open. It shows how much total memory, how much free, and how much - is used.

Program for testing the RAM

A standard checker on a PC often starts automatically, but you can do it manually. Follow strictly the scheme of action:

1. Set the "Start".
2. Insert the query "operative" into the search string.
3. Open the appeared item "Diagnostics of computer memory problems".
4. Run the test immediately or after the PC turns on next time.

There are also special utilities for checking the RAM and a program for clearing the RAM. Masters recommend:

1. Memtest86 +, looking for PC errors.
2. FurMark 1.18.2.0, is used to test video adapters.
3. MemTest 5.0, tests the RAM.
4. RamSmash 2.6.17.2013, is used to improve RAM.

Not enough RAM - what to do?

There are situations that RAM does not start missing, and there is no way to buy additional modules. If the message that the RAM is not enough appears in Windows, it informs: the system does not have enough RAM, and it starts using virtual memory. How to configure memory? First, make sure that the system hangs not because of the many open windows. How to increase RAM without modules:

1. Open the settings of the parameters of the RAM, see if all of them were assigned the value of "auto". If it is, some need to be rebuilt manually.
2. Select the "Memory frequency" is the frequency at which the PC is running, in it is Manual. Set the frequency of the RAM, making it slightly higher than automatic.
3. You can also add the speed of issuing the read signal by including this function in the Speculative Leadoff via the Enabled parameter. Increase the speed of the memory turn Turn-Around Insertion ..

What is the main memory?

There are several programs that "eat" the most amount of RAM. To reduce the consumption of RAM, it is worth to abandon some of them or replace them with less capacious ones. In this list:

1. Antiviruses of any version.
2. Graphic editor.
3. Video editing.

How to clear memory?

A proven way to free up memory is to clean up unnecessary files and programs. The easiest way:

1. Reboot the computer, this removes unnecessary from the temporary memory, if the PC suddenly started to hang.
2. Through the "Task Manager" disable programs that no one uses at this stage of the work. Scheme of actions:
   • by pressing Alt + Ctrl + Del, open the "Task Manager"; open the "Applications" tab;
   • in it - to find the software, in front of which will be the inscription "Does not answer";
   • selecting the line, click "Finish the application".
3. Disable programs that run automatically with Windows. Step-by-step instruction:

• click "Start", click on "All Programs".
• find the folder "Startup".
• delete all shortcuts in this folder.

How to overclock the RAM?

Another way to change the amount of RAM is to overclock it. What is RAM in overclocking and how to do it? It's about the hardware components of the PC, this optimization of RAM has become a kind of hobby in the modern world. There are several variants of overclocking:

1. By increasing the clock frequency of RAM modules.
2. By changing the timings.
3. By changing the values ​​that affect the electrical voltage in the chip.

The most common method is through the clock frequency settings, the action scheme:

1. Restart the computer. Press the button to call up the settings menu, usually F10, F12, F11, F8, Delete, Escape.
2. Find the option "DRAM Configuration", it is located in the "Advanced Chipset Features" section.
3. Open the window "Frequency DRAM", change the indicators by several units less.
4. Open the "Memory Frequency" menu and set the frequency slightly higher than the one that is.
5. Save the changes and restart the PC.