How much of a computer memory upgrade do you need?
The deciding factor in determining exactly how much Pc memory or laptop memory you need in your
system will very much depend on a number of different scenarios but the principal questions
should be
What is the age of your computer, Pc or
laptop?
What do you actually use it for?
Free Computer Memory Scan
The first thing it would be best to do is to have a Free Memory Advisor System Scan. These are
free and a memory scan will enable you to see quickly exactly what type of memory is used in
your computer no matter if it is a desktop or laptop system.
Another good thing about a memory scan is it will recommend and guarantee a match
for your system and in addition will let you have the price of your memory upgrade so you can see
straight away how in-expensive a memory upgrade really is.
How To Install Computer Memory Video
Computer Memory Upgrades For Older Computers
Generally speaking, if your computer is more than 4 - 5 years old then a computer memory upgrade may be a
waste of money unless you can get some used older used computer memory at a sensible
price.
Older computer memory is often more expensive when bought new as there is
less demand, and equally older machines tend to still be running on older operating systems that
are less memory hungry. You can find out what memory your computer uses by doing a memory
scan.
If your system is younger however, then a computer memory upgrade most
certainly will give you a very worthwhile boost in performance.
Historically a high percentage of Pc's have been sold by vendors in the past with barely
enough memory to run the system efficently, this is often done to keep the price point low or to make the
computer look like good value for money.
The problem with this strategy is the average consumer just doesn't
realise how a system works and don't realise how important a computer memory upgrade is (and why
should they?) so they don't get drawn into paying for extra memory or don't realise it is neccessary. As a
result they end up with a slow computer.
Memory Needed For Running Additional Programs
As soon as they start adding background programs (anti-virus etc.) when they get home or
later and/ or start using multiple programs, Physical memory usage goes up and is exceeded causing
the computer to use virtual memory on the hard disk which is massively slower
For most systems a memory upgrade that adds or doubles the exisiting system memory is an
exceptionally cost effective way of increasing the performance of your computer system and
extending its life into the bargain.
So How Much Memory Do You Really Need?
The
answer very much depends on the age of your machine and the use to which you put it to so to help you decide
we have included a handy matrix below.
Have a look at the matrix and decide what category best fits your daily computer use and remember sometimes a
larger memory module will be cheaper than buying two smaller modules.
The bottom line is that adding memory makes your computer more efficient and allows you to do more things at
once.
Computer Memory Upgrade Matrix
What do you do:
Here's what you need:
Minor Administrative Some word
processing, occasional e-mail
384MB – 512MB
Fair Administrative
Word processing and e-mail, spreadsheets, fax and communication software, simple graphics programs, two
applications open at once
384MB – 512MB
Intense Administrative/Student
Word processing and e-mail, spreadsheets, fax and communication business graphics, general gaming
software, three or more applications open at once
384MB – 512MB
Executive/Management
Word processing and e-mail, spreadsheets, fax and communication software, presentation software,
illustration software, photo editing, Web browser
512MB – 1GB
Professional and Gamer
Word processing and e-mail, photo editing, font packages and multimedia software, CAD software, CAM
software, gaming
1GB – 2GB
Heavy Graphics Design
3-D CAD software, modeling software
2GB and up
Whilst the above matrix gives a good guide our own personal rule is generally Windows
XP 1GB Minimum and for Windows Vista 2GB Minimum providing your machine is capable of
taking this amount of memory.
A Computer memory upgrade is relatively inexpensive and this simple computer upgrade in a majority of cases will give your
system a welcome boost.
Recommended Computer Memory Upgrade Supplier
If you are comfortable conducting your own memory upgrade then we can highly recommend Crucial as our
Computer memory upgrade supplier of choice.
To help make life nice and simple they even offer a Free Diagnosis & System
Scan to ensure that any memory upgrade you order is 100%
guaranteed and it also comes with free shipping.
Crucial Computer Memory
Crucial awarded the Best Memory Manufacturer in Personal Computer World, January
2007
Crucial is a division of Micron, one of the largest DRAM and flash manufacturers in the world
and carries more than 110,000 memory upgrades for more than 20,000 desktops, notebooks, servers, and
printers. As well as Flash memory cards, High-performance Ballistix™ gaming memory, and graphics cards so we
consider them the best choice for your computer memory upgrades (and more).
If you are not comfortable conducting your own computer memory upgrade then contact your local computer repair professional near you by
selecting your local area from the links provided.
Older computer memory is often more expensive when bought new as there is
less demand, and equally older machines tend to still be running on older operating systems that
are less memory hungry. You can find out what memory your computer uses by doing a memory
scan.
The problem with this strategy is the average consumer just doesn't
realise how a system works and don't realise how important a computer memory upgrade is (and why
should they?) so they don't get drawn into paying for extra memory or don't realise it is neccessary. As a
result they end up with a kit_2.gif "Computer Performance Memory Upgrade")
The
answer very much depends on the age of your machine and the use to which you put it to so to help you decide
we have included a handy matrix below.
