The Hindu Business Line : Why we need RAM in PCs

Technically, memory is any form of electronic storage. It is used most often to identify fast, temporary forms of storage. If your computer's CPU had to constantly access the hard drive to retrieve every piece of data it needs, it would operate very slowly because the hard drive has mechanical moving parts like motors that rotate the disk plates and arms. Eventually this makes it slow. When the information is kept in memory, the CPU can access it much more quickly. Most forms of memory are intended to store data temporarily.

It is said that you can never have enough money and the same seems to hold true for RAM, especially if you do a lot of graphics-intensive work or gaming. Next to the CPU itself, RAM is the most important factor in computer performance. If you don't have enough, adding RAM can make more of a difference than getting a new CPU!

If you are running Windows 95/98, you need a bare minimum of 32 MB, and your computer will work much better with 64 MB. Windows NT/2000 needs at least 64 MB, and it will take everything you can throw at it, so you'll probably want 128 MB or more. Linux works happily on a system with only 4 MB of RAM. If you plan to add X-Windows or do more serious work, however, you'll probably want 64 MB. Apple Mac OS-based systems will work with 16 MB, but you should probably have a minimum of 32 MB.

Solution by G. Rajah

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