Random Access Memory - RAM

To give Windows XP and applications like it sufficient room to work, you should get a minimum of 256MB of RAM. If you can afford to get more, do it. Higher-end PCs should have at least 512MB--that amount lets you keep more applications open and comfortably handles even memory-intensive applications like Photoshop.

Three kinds of memory are on the market today: PC133 SDRAM, faster DDR SDRAM (in 200-, 266-, 333-, 400-, and 533-MHz speeds), and RDRAM (also known as Rambus, in speeds ranging from 600 MHz to 1 GHz). Remember that your motherboard determines what kind of RAM you can use--you cannot substitute DDR SDRAM for RDRAM or PC133 SDRAM.

Your cheapest option, SDRAM, still occasionally shows up in the lowest-end home and office systems. The PCs you already have probably use this memory, so you may be able to reuse your old memory in your new PC.

The price difference between SDRAM and DDR SDRAM is just a few dollars (and occasionally disappears), however. And our tests show that DDR provides a boost over PC133, so DDR is your best buy. Many motherboards can take full advantage of DDR333 memory, while support for 400-MHz DDR is growing; make sure your PC supports the memory speed before you buy.

RDRAM offers a slight boost in certain applications such as video or music streaming, but it tends to be more expensive than the other memory types. However, we have seen more performance boosts in PCs that pair PC 1066 RDRAM with the fastest Intel processors, so it may be worth the extra money if you want every ounce of performance.

In order to get the best performance out of your computer you need plenty of memory. The reason being, when a computer accesses a program it loads it to its temporary memory (RAM). It can access information much faster from its memory than the hard drive. Logically the more it can store in its memory the faster it can operate. If you hear your hard drive running frequently or if you have to wait long for programs to open, switch between windows, etc. then you need more memory.

Adding memory to your computer is the simplest upgrade you can perform. It takes about 5 minutes to install and it makes a big difference. If you are trying to figure out how much RAM to get for your new gaming computer you are building the answer is simple, as much as you can afford.

Be sure to plan ahead when you purchase RAM. One gig of RAM today is more than adequate but in a year you will probably want two gigs. Check to see how much memory your motherboard can accommodate and plan so you can fit as much in there as you can. If you plan on starting with 512MB of RAM buy one stick of 512MB instead of 2 sticks of 256MB. This will give you more room to expand in the future. It is a waste of money to have to throw out a stick of 256MB of RAM because you needed the slot for another 512MB. If you are running Windows XP 512MB should be the minimum you go with. The product specs will tell you it requires 256MB but you will probably have problems if you only use the minimum. Windows XP runs best on 512MB or more.

When speaking of RAM the "best" is often a matter of preference. Kingston, Crucial, and Corsair are all well known manufacturers. I do not recommend buying generic RAM. The old saying holds true in computers, "you get what you pay for". As for which specific manufacturer, read some customer reviews to be sure people are saying good things about them. Probably more important than who manufactures the memory is the type. The first thing you need to do is determine what memory your motherboard and CPU support. You can find this information in your manual or in the product specifications from the manufacturer's website or in most item descriptions in stores. The rule of thumb is to get the fastest you can. For instance if your motherboard supports DDR266, DDR333, DDR400, go with the DDR400 and dual channel whenever possible (as long as your motherboard supports it). Always be sure to check what memory your motherboard and CPU support. Not all motherboards and CPUs will support DDR2.