Does intense use of your computer reduce RAM capacity over time?

Question

I bought a Dell Dimension 3100 a month ago with 1024 MB of RAM installed. I run SETI@Home on BOINC every day. A few weeks ago SETI@Home reported my computer's RAM as 1024 MB, but today it was reported as 1014 MB. Is SETI wearing down my system, or is there another explanation?

Answer 1

No. I don't know what SETI@Home on BOINC is, but during the course of use over time during the day, Windows will lose RAM because it just doesn;'t use and reuse it efficiently. So with heavy use, rebooting once or twice a day isn't a bad idea.

But to actually lose capacity, I think maybe it has to do with your RAM going bad rather than any software you might be using.

Answer 2

I'm not aware that use wears down RAM, and it definitely shouldn't over a month. Perhaps this was a natural correction - ie, while it read it as 1024 initially, perhaps it's true capacity is only 1014, and this was measured over time. Doesn't really sound plausible though. Maybe it's becuase it's a Dell. I'd call my dealer.

Answer 3

SETI's software is buggy as all get-out. I quit running it better than five years ago when its "screensaver" burned its image into my wife's brand-new 17" CRT. At that point, I decided SETI's chances of actually finding extraterrestrial life were slim to none. Look at it this way: if YOU were an alien, would YOU want to be found by morons who can't even write a proper screensaver?

To answer your question, no, there's nothing wrong with your RAM or your computer. The problem lies with SETI.

Answer 4

Noway , RAM is a digital thing its either there or its gone .
How are you checking RAM capacity ? You can check the true capacity of ram by checking the system properties. Right Click on My Computer --->Properties --->General.

Answer 5

Uh, RAM is hardware.
You cant wear a few chips out...
Must be the program.

Answer 6

no wearing down. It may be defective