What is RAM on a computer?

Question

What difference does it make if I get one that has 512mb RAM as opposed to 1054mb? I'm confused, what does it actually change on my laptop?

Answer 1

RAM is Random Access Memory, it's volatile in that it will clear out when you switch off. It's what the machine uses to hold stuff it's currently working on, to put it crudely. Generally, the bigger the RAM the swifter the machine can be 'cos it doesn't have to keep referring back to files on the hard disk.

You might like to try taking your machine online to www.crucial.com for a free run-down of your setup and any recommendations its may have about improving your RAM.

I might add that 512mb is usually quite adequate unless you're running complex games etc. I have 1024mb and that's fine for my sometimes demanding setup.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Random access memory. When your computer is running a progam, it uses RAM temporarily to work thestuff out. Nothing stays in RAM when your computer is swiched off. You also have ROM, which is READ ONLY MEMORY. You can't change this, and the reason is this bit has to know what it knows to start up all the other bits.
The RAM is a bit like your immediate memory, which you are using all the time. When you go into a room, but can't remember why, you are not using your brains RAM properly.
Anyway, the more RAM a computer has, the better it can do more things at once. 512MB is not bad for surfing and so on, but the 1GB (over 1000MB) is better.

Answer 3

RAM is memory. While the computer runs, it temporarily needs a place to store temporary data. Now, it's possible to use the hard disk for such a purpose, but the disk is slow. RAM is very fast, although it only stored data temporarily.

That makes RAM very useful for temporary memory storage. Your computer needs temporary storage, period, so it's going to first look for RAM, and then start using the disk. Guess what happens if it is forced to use the disk? Your computer becomes very slow.

That's why more RAM, is important. It can make a dramatic difference in the speed of your computer. 1GB (1024 MB) RAM is a good amount to have. You don't need more unless you run high performance programs like video editing, games, and specialized programs like number crunchers.

Answer 4

RAM means Random Access Memory, and the best way to remember this is to think of it as short term memory.

the computer uses RAM to store data and program functions for applications that are currently open. the more RAM you have, the quicker the computer will be because when the RAM is full, it writes the data to the HDD and the access time is far longer.

get more RAM as a rule

Answer 5

A ram is definned as :Pronounced ramm, acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.
There are two basic types of RAM:

dynamic RAM (DRAM)
static RAM (SRAM)
The two types differ in the technology they use to hold data, dynamic RAM being the more common type. Dynamic RAM needs to be refreshed thousands of times per second. Static RAM does not need to be refreshed, which makes it faster; but it is also more expensive than dynamic RAM. Both types of RAM are volatile, meaning that they lose their contents when the power is turned off.

In common usage, the term RAM is synonymous with main memory, the memory available to programs. For example, a computer with 8M RAM has approximately 8 million bytes of memory that programs can use. In contrast, ROM (read-only memory) refers to special memory used to store programs that boot the computer and perform diagnostics. Most personal computers have a small amount of ROM (a few thousand bytes). In fact, both types of memory (ROM and RAM) allow random access. To be precise, therefore, RAM should be referred to as read/write RAM and ROM as read-only RAM.

Answer 6

RAM is Random Access Memory, it is the physical memory on the computer which directly interacts with the processor.

It increases the speed of the computer as more information can be passed on to the processor at one time.

1024 MB is twice of 512 MB, which will increase the memory capacity in computer to a double. and hence considerably increase the performance of the system.

Answer 7

RAM stands for random access memory.
The best way to look at it is this - Imagine you have a library. This is your hard drive. The bigger your hard drive (say, 50GB) the more books you can fit in your library. Now imagine that RAM is represented by a table in that library, onto which you can fit a certain number of books onto it to read at one time. The bigger the RAM, the bigger the table, so - more books can be read at one time.
In terms of your laptop, 1054mb will be able to handle twice as much of the information on your computer at one time as 512MB.

Hope this has helped.

Answer 8

Random Access Memory. I am not going to through a bunch of bullsh*t terminology as it is apparent that you just need to know what it does. In most cases, the more RAM you have, the better. Its the actual physical memory that is directly connected to the processor. The RAM you have, the more applications you can with more efficiency and speed. Its that simple.

-J.

Answer 9

RAM, or Random Access Memory is used to process all tasks currently running. The more ram you have, the faster you can perform a larger number of tasks simultainiously.

Answer 10

Ram is a major component in your computer that makes it run. If you don't have RAM, your computer is utterly useless. The more RAM, the faster your computer is. But adding too much can slow it down. I suggest the 1024MB (1GB) of RAM for your computer.