| RAM is the acronym for Random Access | | | | performance in the latest machines and Operative |
| Memory, if we look closely at the name we can | | | | Systems. |
| quickly understand is a type of memory, but | | | | But this doesn’t mean that we should aim for |
| same time we will wonder, why random? | | | | more RAM than we need for our purposes. |
| The explanation is simple, it means that every | | | | We must consider first what Operative System |
| single byte of this memory can be accessed | | | | we want to use. If we aim for a 32bit version of |
| without passing through the previous bytes | | | | Windows XP or Vista, doesn’t matter if we |
| without reducing speed, and the computer use it | | | | get 4 or 8Gb of RAM, the system will use 3.5Gb |
| as a “notepad” where it holds programs | | | | of RAM at max, and the rest will be wasted, but |
| and data for quick access. | | | | if our Operative System is a 64bit version, things |
| This kind of memory is volatile, which means it | | | | are different since the maximum amount of RAM |
| only holds data while the computer is on, and | | | | we can use on those OSs is just way higher than |
| it’s changing constantly as the operative | | | | the RAM we can mount on our computer |
| system is working. | | | | nowadays*. |
| Due to the fast advancement that the technology | | | | * Please consider that all the comments included |
| is experiencing, especially in the CPU field, there | | | | on this guide are based on the posting time, more |
| are more and more requirements in terms of | | | | concretely in June 2008. As the technology |
| amount of RAM in order to enjoy a good | | | | advances, this assumptions might get outdated. |