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| The Computer Memory RAM vs Hard drive FAQ page Find the answers below. Get live help from 8am to 9pm Atl. Call 1-866-631-0985 or 506-386-6824. |
| I have a lot of content, pictures, programs on my computer: does this mean my memory is full? |
The great majority of people confuse computer memory - RAM with hard drive storage space. Everytime you restart your computer your memory is emptied - or refreshed - waiting to be used up with the programs you use. All data - that is - your pictures, documents, music, etc, as well as your inactive programs do not or should not supposed to use any memory when they are not in use. When you launch a program or open a document, these items are transferred to your memory in order to use them. When you shut down a program or a document, these items are transferred back from your memory to your hard drive, freeing up your memory for the next task you ask your computer to do. In reality however, some crumbs of information get stuck in your memory so that they can be retrieved faster during the same computer session. Your memory is completely freed up only the next time you start up your PC. That's why it's a good idea to reboot your PC at least once every 48 hours. If you want to find out how much hard drive storage space your computer still has, click on My Computer and run your mouse over your main drive - usually your C drive - and it will provide you with your answer. Remember that you should ideally keep 50% of your hard drive space empty for your PC to work at its best, and at least 15% free space for the disk defragmentation process to work. Otherwise it is time for a disk clean up, or an extra or new hard drive. Go back to computer question index.
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| What's the difference between my computer's memory and the hard drive? |
See the answer to The Computer Memory RAM vs Hard drive FAQ page on this page. Go back to computer question index.
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| How can I find out how much memory I have? |
Right-click on My Computer, left-click on Properties. That will open a window with a bunch of info related to your system including how much RAM you have. Go back to computer question index.
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| How much memory should I have? |
As much as you can afford and as much as your motherboard and operating system will allow you. If you have optimised your PC using the answer in the 'Why is my computer so slow?' question, you can consult the documentation that came with your motherboard or the website of your computer maker. These sources will tell you your motherboard's memory capacity and the memory speed you need to buy. Here are some general memory considerations: email and word processing requires a minimal amount of memory. Opening pictures that are already saved in your computer will open faster with more memory. Editing video or playing sophisticated games will go more smoothly the more memory you have. Windows xp users: 128MB is the bare minimum, 256MB is not much, 512MB is a moderate amount suitable for most uses, 1GB should be sufficient for most high performance uses. Windows 98 can only use a maximum of 256MB of memory.
Go back to computer question index.
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| Can I buy just any type of memory to add to my
computer? |
No. Consult the documentation that came with your motherboard or the website of your computer maker. These sources will tell you your motherboard's memory capacity and the memory speed you need to buy. Go back to computer question index.
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