What Are the Advantages of Adding More RAM to a Computer?

Sometimes a memory upgrade is suggested when computer problems come up. A memory upgrade involves adding RAM chips into a computer. Many people consider a memory upgrade for a number of different reasons. The benefits of a memory upgrade can depend upon how you use your computer.

Multitaskers benefit from a memory upgrade because more memory means more programs can be run at one time. Computers may experience significant slowdowns when running a larger number of programs at once prior to upgrading memory. Upgrading memory eliminates this problem; the extra memory becomes allocated to the opening of several programs at the same time. RAM upgrades are thought to speed up a computer; however, in actuality, they help computers avoid bottlenecking effects when trying to run a lot of high-memory programs. If all RAM space has been used when trying to open programs, the computer resorts to using virtual memory on the hard drive, which slows the computer down quite a bit. The additional memory means that the computer doesn't have to resort to using the hard drive for memory.

In many cases, certain programs require a set amount of memory in order for the program to run properly. A computer is able to run programs that it may have been ineligible to run previously once the memory is upgraded.

Surfing the Internet after a memory upgrade tends to be noticeably faster than before the upgrade. Web browsers load faster after a memory upgrade, regardless of Internet connection speed. In addition to web pages opening faster, a memory upgrade can also make flash content open faster. This is because the computer is using the hard drive's memory when it can't find RAM space to store data; post-upgrade, more RAM is available, making browsing faster.

Computers connected to a network can observe a boost in network capabilities after a RAM upgrade. This extends to networks sharing a printer. People that print a lot of items, especially items with graphics, can look to a memory upgrade to make printing faster.

Computer users who are fond of gaming benefit from additional memory in several different ways. Games run more smoothly without slower response times. In addition to faster gameplay with fewer jerky movements, a RAM upgrade benefits the visuals of a game as well. Computers with higher memory installed have better 3D rendering capabilities than those with a minimal amount of RAM. Images in a game become cleaner and brighter with a memory upgrade.