What is the amount of RAM. Why do we need RAM in the computer. How does RAM in Windows

Good all the time of day, my dear friends and guests of my blog. Today I want to tell you in detail what is rAM  computer and what is it for. Of course, I understand that everyone knows the purpose of the RAM for a long time, but I would still like to dig deeper. So let's go!

RAM in a personal computer (PC) is used for temporary storage of data processed by the processor. It is abbreviated as RAM (Random Access Memory). In English, the abbreviation RAM is used (random access memory - random access memory).

What is the need for RAM in games?

Multitasking and system-intensive programs, such as software  for video and video game editing, use a lot of memory and can slow down your computer. It is called dynamic because it needs to be updated periodically or data is lost.

But there is something that you must consider. But powerful free video editors  remain rare. Alternative forms of data storage - such as hard drives  and disks - cannot correspond to this speed as a result of their physical and mechanical limitations. Perhaps you don’t know why, and maybe you’re trying to fix it wrong.

What does RAM consist of?

By physical parameters, RAM is a small printed circuit board, with:

  • chips;
  • module components (capacitors, resistors);
  • keys "for installation;
  • cooling systems (they are equipped with modern expensive options for RAM).

The “keys” are small holes on the end of the bar that prevent the RAM from being inserted into the slot on the motherboard incorrectly.

Restrictions are compensated by features useful even for desktop office users. This will provide you with a screen that will give you a brief summary of all the characteristics of your computer; look under the subsection "System" for the record with the mark " Installed memory».

Shared graphics memory reduces available system memory. It seems you are all over. Another method is to use the task manager to keep track of which programs and processes put pressure on your system resources. The column "Memory" is what interests us. If you see programs in which you do not use a lot of memory, then you should investigate whether you need to run them, or even if they can be completely removed. Of course, this will vary from case to case, but there are some.

What is computer memory for?

RAM is used as a temporary buffer and is affected. Consider the work "RAM" in more detail. Information gets from hard drive  in RAM, and then processed by the central processor. It happens all the time. The process of data exchange can occur directly, but more often the cache takes part in it.

Increase the amount of RAM

So does your computer boot up slowly lately? You probably have too many programs and services that are trying to run everything at once. Are you wondering how they got there and how to remove them? Please note that this will significantly improve system performance.

Everything behind it is really necessary for system configuration for a specific purpose or for users who want to make sure that their computer is as reliable as possible for the future. Work on a slow computer can be a real resistance.

A cache is a small area in a specially allocated memory that stores frequently used information. This is very convenient, because when requesting information, it begins to be processed much faster by the processor, which significantly speeds up the PC.


Computer specifications can be a complex combination of abbreviations and numbers in better timesbut it’s worth knowing something about them: it will help you choose new computer, troubleshoot the old computer and, as a rule, learn more about the relationship between the specifications on the page and the experience you get.

A hard drive is simply the amount of room you must keep forever. Motherboard specifications such as these do not matter much for overall performance, but they can help key components work together more efficiently and faster. The motherboard also determines how many input and output ports you have on your system.

Modern processors and equipped with a cache. The cache of the latter is included in the process when using bulk data (“heavy” programs, archives, sound and video files). It is important to remember that the data that is stored in RAM while working with a computer is deleted immediately after it is turned off.

Page file

RAM consists of so-called cells. It so happens that there are not enough cells (the data does not fit in the “RAM”), in this case, the paging file comes to the rescue. Data that does not fit into the RAM cells is transferred to the paging file, the memory for which is allocated by the hard disk. Due to the fact that the speed of the latter is lower than the speed of the RAM, the use of the paging file slows down the PC.

Other specifications that you see should be clear, for example, the size of your monitor or the number of memory card slots you receive. Random Access Memory is a storage device for your business data. This means that it not only saves images and videos, but also stores encoding components that run parts of the device and its programs.

Yes, the amount of memory you have can greatly affect how well and how fast your desktop or laptop computer works. On the contrary your hDD  more like a file cabinet. Data must be received in the order in which they were stored.

The user can adjust the volume of the paging file himself, but without knowledge of the principle of operation of this element, it is not recommended to change the volume.

By the way, you can always, to free her from rubbish. I wrote about this in a separate article.

Types of memory modules

In order not to get into the wilds and to describe in detail each type of "RAM" and purpose, we select only the main ones.

Each time you give a command or access to a file to the computer, this information is extracted from the hard disk. Once this file is open, you will need a worksheet to put the file in order to read it. At that time, the file is placed back into your computer cabinet of your computer. Talking about how to work with a large desktop, if you like, allows your system's processor to process more files at the same time, as well as improve speed, functionality and access.

Yes, you can buy units that will be installed in the existing system structure. Before you do this, you need to consider a few things. Some systems can only upgrade to a certain amount of memory, and this may vary from computer to computer. Some processors run on 32-bit and others work on 64-bit.

There are two main types of slats of RAM: for a desktop computer and for a laptop. They differ in size (the bar for a laptop is 2 times smaller). Modern modules Ram  denoted by the English abbreviation DDR (double data rate). DDR standard appeared at the beginning of the zero and firmly secured the position.

The first generation of DDR allowed more data to be transmitted than its predecessor DIMM. With the advent of DDR 2, the amount of data transferred has become even greater. Now DDR 2 is not used, it can only be found in computers a decade ago. Even the DDR 3 format is already getting older, but continues to be used, which is also happening because this type is the cheapest.

Older addons don't work anymore.

At the most basic level, computers work outside the binary “bit” system. A byte consists of eight bits. You will notice that the entire memory has 32 characters, each of which is doubled. Some memory options include the following. Therefore, extensions must be rewritten, but sometimes not all functions can still be used. Depending on the addon, this can mean a loss of functionality. In turn, add-ons should now be safer and more stable. In computers, shared memory consists of two parts.


Most modern option  - This is DDR 4, which is installed in new computers. All 4 standards differ in speed and frequency. With the frequency of memory, as with its volume, the more - the better.

Yes, and do not think that you can connect one type of memory to a slot for another type, for example, DDR3 to a slot for DDR2. As you can see, these types of keys are in different places, so they simply will not stand in the motherboard.

How to find out the amount of RAM available

Memory modules allow the computer to quickly and quickly store and retrieve data and programs. Virtual memory expands the available memory on a computer using a hard disk for storing data. This process, called "exchange", significantly slows down the computer if it is used excessively.

Currently computers and mobile devices possess more powerful computing and computing ability thanks to successes in production of processors. And it is the processor that is responsible for executing instructions given by various applications or operating systemand also controls possible peripheralsconnected to equipment such as printers, keyboard, mouse, etc.

RAM volumes

How much RAM is needed for a modern user? It all depends on the goals and objectives. For example, for ordinary work on a PC, including the use of lightweight software and web surfing, 2 GB is enough, and for fans of colorful computer games  and designers using graphic editors, this volume will not be enough. Modern "toys" occupy in the temporary storage of 3 GB and above. Therefore, if there is not enough memory on board, the system will seriously slow down its work.

The fact that modern processors  multi-core, causes the processor to trust the execution of various instructions to each core that makes it up. We see how the number of cores available on some processors increases every day, but this does not mean that they will always always provide higher performance.

What does RAM consist of?

In this sense, there are many factors that influence the determination of whether a dual-core processor offers higher performance than one of the four cores. The first will be the rate at which requests are processed by each of the cores, and secondly, the type of task that we will process, since not all applications can use more than one core at a time. perform your tasks.

When choosing the amount of memory, you need to focus on the range of tasks for which the personal computer will be used. For example, on a stationary computer I have 8 GB of RAM and this is enough for me. But on a laptop there is only 4 GB, and if I simultaneously run several programs, such as Photoshop and Camtasia Studio, and a browser with 10 tabs, but this dramatically affects the speed of work. Sometimes even a sign with a bad inscription flies out that I loaded the memory tightly).



Therefore, in an application that cannot simultaneously use more than one core, we can see how a processor with two cores at high speed can complete the task before another processor with four cores with a lower speed, However, if the application is able to use several cores, even they are slower, they complete the task with four cores, before working at that time slower than two cores, even if they are faster.

How much RAM is considered normal?

Of course, under equal conditions, the more cores we can use at the same time, but also faster, before they complete the same tasks as the same cores, if they are slower or we have fewer cores, even if they support one and the same processing speed.

Sincerely, Dmitry Kostin.

Despite the development of technologies and their total popularization, many still ask the question: “RAM is what is it?” Most of you have probably heard that there is some kind of constant. But only a few can really explain what it is and why it is needed. Of course, there are many articles on the Internet on this subject, but there is no intelligible answer.

How does RAM work in Windows?

After that, click the "Advanced" button, which is displayed just above the boot options, and will open another window. In this case, we use disk space so that the system does not sink in certain applications. Usually referred to as. This means that data access is very fast. It is necessary to clarify that we must have a more or less acceptable amount of memory in order to be able to use this utility.

The first and most famous of all is setting up browsers to work with this disk. Presumably, their performance will increase significantly. To do this, we must first obtain software that will allow us to create such disks.

Most often, we are faced with the concept of "RAM" when choosing a computer. And the only thing we are guided by in this matter is the rule “the more the better.” In fact, this is only partly correct. It is not always necessary to buy a computer with a large amount of memory. But first things first.

Content:

Theoretical page

If we take all the definitions that are on the Internet, we can derive the following:

It has a Drag & Drop system, which allows you to drag and drop any game from the desktop and start using the program's features. We can see it on the computer only with the other disks, format it and, of course, store it on it. Let's see how we can use these disks to optimize the cache of our browsers. In the field that indicates the destination of the browser, we need to add only the following line.

Then we proceed to create the next key. Finally, we look for among the keys the one that says. You can refer to this wonderful calculator, put the size you need. Later we will delve into the details of how we can extract the juice from this tool.

RAM is the memory in which temporary, intermediate data is stored.

It is also called RAM, (Random Access Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory or Random Access Memory), OP (abbreviation). We will use all these concepts. At first glance, the above definition seems a bit complicated, but now we’ll figure it out.

As you know, the computer has two types of memory - operational and permanent.

So, the difference between them can be illustrated with one simple example. This text was originally typed in the document. When it was printed, it was not yet stored on the computer, that is, it did not occupy a single byte of permanent memory (on the hard disk). Where was he then? Just in the RAM.

When we saved it to the computer, it already began to occupy a place in the permanent memory. It, by the way, is called ROM (Read Only Memory). The same thing happens when working with any other program. While you have not saved the data, they must be stored somewhere, but they cannot occupy real disk space (after all, you have not saved it). So, they are stored in the OP.

That is, RAM is a kind of buffer that stores data as long as it is not stored in permanent memory. If we take the life situation that is more familiar to us, then all of the above can be illustrated with another example. Let's say you bought tomatoes, sweet peppers, parsley, garlic, and cucumbers to make a salad.

You put them on a board to chop. On this moment they are not in the salad yet, but not in the store, they are on the board. In this example, the cutting board is just a RAM (operational). Here there is a little processing, and then the vegetables are placed in some kind of vessel, which is a ROM (permanent memory).


Fig. 2. Two types of computer memory on the example of salad

Actually, this is the difference. If you restart the computer or turn it off and the data is not saved, they will be lost. But if you save them (for example, in order to do this, you need to click the "File" button, then "Save"), they will be placed in the constant.

All clear?

If not, write about it in the comments.

It is clear that the more RAM, the better, because then at the same time it will be possible to process more information. If you take the above example with vegetables and salad, it is clear that the greater the cutting board, the greater the number of tomatoes, cucumbers and other products fit on it.

There is one BUT - if you have a very small salad bowl and you live alone, then there is no point in buying a very large board. You just will not cook such bulky salads, and if they do, they will stand in the refrigerator and disappear.

In the same way, there is absolutely no point in choosing a computer with a large amount of RAM if you do not plan to perform any complex tasks on it and the amount of permanent memory you have is not very large. Here we come to the topic of the choice of OP.

From all that we talked about in this section, it was possible to draw the following conclusions:

  1. RAM or RAM, RAM, RAM is a kind of intermediate step between permanent memory and the user.
  2. The RAM contains the data until it is placed in the constant.
  3. When the user enters some data, it is stored in RAM, and after saving it is already stored in ROM.
  4. If you do not save the information that is currently being processed by the RAM, it will disappear.

How to choose the amount of RAM

To make a choice of the amount of RAM, you need to be guided by only one criterion, and specifically, the tasks that you will perform on the computer. It looks like this:

  • if you only need to work with text documents, 1 GB of OP will fit (this is quite enough for normal operation  Word and the entire office suite from);
  • and if you need to process graphics or play, you need to buy the maximum amount of RAM - at the moment it may be 16 GB or even more;
  • if you need something in between, then today 8 GB is the optimal indicator (this is enough for normal operation of games, if not at maximum speeds, and for all other tasks).

Tip: Take the programs you plan to use on your computer and see system requirements  to them. There, for sure, the required amount of RAM will be indicated. Rely on this indicator when choosing.


Fig. 3. Computers in the store

This applies to cases where you choose a whole computer, and not random access memory separately. We will talk about the second situation a little later. And before that we consider the question of how to find out how much OP is on your computer.

How to find out the amount of RAM available

Before you give ways that allow you to complete the task, you need to clarify a few points.

Let's start with the fact that the RAM (physically) is a small rectangular board that is inserted into the corresponding slot motherboard.


Fig. 4. OP module and motherboard connector for it

So, the most reliable way, how to find out the amount of RAM, is just to look at this very module and find there some number next to the word “GB”, that is, Gigabyte. Here is how it might look.


Fig. 5. The amount of RAM indicated on the module

In addition, to find out how much OP is actually installed in the computer, you can use special programs  and, specifically:

1. Through the properties of the system. To do this, go to "Computer", click on the top of the "System properties"  and see how much GB is indicated near the inscription "Installed memory ...".


Fig. 6. View RAM through system properties

2. Through the task manager. It can be launched in two ways: by entering the corresponding query into the Start menu and by pressing the Ctrl, Alt and Delete buttons simultaneously. In the running manager, you will need to go to the tab "Speed"  and pay attention to the section "Physical Memory". This method is good because you can also look at how much GB (or MB) is currently used (this is the same section and the “Memory” section).


Fig. 7. View RAM through Task Manager

3. Through the program. First you need to say it (here is a link to the download page from the official site), then launch it, go to the “Memory” tab and pay attention to what is indicated next to the “Size” sign. This is the actual amount of RAM.


Fig. 8. View RAM through the program CPU-Z

In general, programs like CPU-Z, there is a huge set. Works very well, for example, AIDA64. Choose the one you like best.

Secondly, in addition to volume, RAM has many other characteristics, such as frequency, type, and more. If you choose an OP not together with a computer, but separately, you need to pay attention to them.

Here we come to the issue of increasing RAM.

However, if you decide not to buy a complete computer, but to assemble it from individual parts, then the following tips and criteria will also be relevant for you.