What is RAM on a computer?

Random access memory (RAM) is a computer short term memory, where data that the processor is currently using is stored temporarily. RAM memory can be accessed much faster than data on a hard disk, SDD, or other long-term storage device, which is why RAM capacity is very important for system performance.

DDR3 RAM 4 GB   

RS 3000  -32%

RS 2041

What does RAM stand for?

RAM is short for “random access memory” and it’s one of the most fundamental elements of computer. RAM is a temporary memory bank where your computer stores data it’s currently working on. RAM keeps data easily accessible so that it can be retrieved fastest meaning your processor doesn’t have to go into long-term storage to complete immediate processing tasks.

Every computing device has RAM, whether it is a desktop computer (running Windows, MacOS, or Linux), a tablet or smartphone, or even an IoT computing device (like a smart TV). Nearly all computers have a way of storing information for longer-term access, too. But the working processes are done in RAM.

What does RAM do?

RAM is temporary storage that goes away when the power turns off. So what is RAM used for, then? It’s very fast, which makes it ideal for things the computer is actively working on, such as applications that are currently running .

It can help to think about RAM with the analogy of a physical desktop. Your working space where you scribble on something immediately is the top of the desk, where you want everything within arm’s reach and you want no delay in finding anything. That’s RAM. In contrast, if you want to keep anything to work on later, you put it into a desk drawer or store it on a hard disk, either locally or in the cloud.

What is RAM used for?

RAM is used to process information immediately. RAM is significantly faster than a hard disk  20 to a 100 times faster, depending on the specific hardware type and task. When you want to accomplish a specific task, computer operating systems load data from the hard disk into RAM to process it, such as to sort a spreadsheet or to display it on screen. When it’s finished actively working with that data, the computer (sometimes at your instruction) saves it into long term storage.

So, for example, let’s say you want to work with a spreadsheet. When you start Excel, your computer loads the applications into RAM. If you load an existing spreadsheet [which is stored on your hard disk], the operating system copies that information into RAM, too. Then you can work with Excel, crunching numbers in your usual fashion. In most circumstances, the computer responds super-fast, because RAM is fast.

When you’re done with the spreadsheet, you tell Excel to save it which means that the data gets copied to the hard disk or other long-term storage. (If you forget to save and the power fails, all that work is gone, because RAM is temporary storage.) And when you close the application, the computer operating system takes it out of RAM and clears the deck so that the space is free for you to work on the next thing.

One extended use of RAM is to help previously-accessed information be available much more quickly. When you first turn on your computer and launch any application, such as PowerPoint or Spotify, it takes a while to load. However, if you close a program and then relaunch it, the software opens almost instantly (unless your PC isn’t optimized for performance). That’s because the app is loaded out of the significantly faster RAM, rather than the hard disk.

How much memory do I need?

The more RAM a computing device has, the faster it runs. If your device is old, you might need to upgrade the hardware. Every open application (including tabs in a web browser) consumes RAM. You can run out — and when that happens, the computer has to move things around on the hard disk, which slows down the computer.

Note that RAM is different from storage: if you turn off your PC, the information is gone whereas on storage (SSDs, HDDs…) that data will be saved.

How much RAM do you need? It depends on the kind of work you do, how many things you do at once, and how impatient you are. As with so many other parts of computing, we always want our devices to respond instantly!

In most circumstances, however, you need far less RAM than you do hard disk space. Again, think of that physical office desk. The more space you have on the desktop, the more pieces of paper you can spread around. But that doesn’t keep you from wanting a very big file cabinet for long-term storage of all the files you’ve collected over time.

Once upon a time  say, 25 years ago when common hardware was based on Pentium CPUs, you rarely needed more than 8MB of RAM  perhaps 32 MB if you were a serious tech geek. That was plenty to run Windows 95, the first Windows versions of Word, and Doom

1. 4 GB of RAM: If you’re only browsing the web, working with basic Office applications and maybe dabbling a bit in personal photo editing, you’ll be fine with 4 GB of memory.
2. 8 GB of RAM: Heavy multitaskers or light gamers should choose a computer with 8 GB of RAM.
3. 16+ GB of RAM: Some tasks are inherently computing intensive, such as serious gaming, video editing, and programming. “Enthusiast” users who never want to experience slowdowns will need 16+ GB of RAM to be