Is 2GB RAM enough for my computer? Do I need to upgrade my computer’s RAM to make it fast or the current configuration is enough? If you are having this kind of queries, then I would try to resolve your problem through this post.
Back in 2003, I had purchased a Windows XP PC with 128 MB RAM and that was sufficient at that time for running normal applications and even for few games. Then in year 2009, I purchased another computer with 2GB RAM and now I upgraded that to 4GB as 2GB was not sufficient to handle even normal applications. I am not a hardcore PC game player, but I was using normal applications like Google Chrome, Tweetdeck, Firefox, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Windows Live apps etc. My Windows 7 PC with 2GB RAM started getting slow after opening 20 – 30 tabs in Chrome or running these applications simultaneously. Rather than going for a new PC, I upgraded the existing one to its max limit i.e. 4GB and now my system is doing pretty well even on fully loaded condition. You can also choose to make your existing RAM faster but that is also having some limit.
[ad id=’9′ style=’float:left;margin:10px 10px 10px 0′] It is true that now a days the applications including favorite browsers are memory eaters and they need huge memory to open media rich websites and execute JavaScripts in no time. In that case, it is essential to have enough RAM in computer to feed these guys.
How to find the installed Memory (RAM) on Windows PC?
If you are planning to upgrade the existing RAM, then first you should know your computer’s current configuration. On a Windows PC, you can right click on “My Computer” icon on Start Menu or desktop and click on “Properties” to check the installed memory. You can also enter in BIOS to get the type (DDR1 or DDR2 or DDR3) of installed memory and amount. Once you know the existing RAM type and installation, you need to find the motherboard capability for up-gradation. Browse the motherboard manual to find RAM upgrade limit of the board.
Here is my estimation about RAM required for different type of users i.e. how much RAM is sufficient for different users category.
Normal Users
It includes users who are going to browse few web pages on Internet, open few documents on MS Office, Send emails or do chat with friends. It also covers those who keeps their systems running for few weeks but on very normal load.
I think 2GB DDR2 RAM is sufficient. If you are going for DDR3, then 1GB DDR3 is sufficient for you.
Power Users
Those who open 30+ tabs on browser at a time, runs heavy applications like Adobe products as Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop etc. At the same time, they keep running social media tools like Tweetdeck, Facebook desktop tools etc. Clouding documentations tools as well as desktop tools like MS office are very frequent in use. Not much heavier but lighter PC games are running.
I would suggest to go for 4GB DDR2 RAM for your computer. In case of DDR3, 2GB/3GB is more than sufficient.
Virtual Machines and Gamers (Advance Users)
Along with Power user’s applications, if you are also keen to run heavy games like Need for Speed or other heavy games, then you need to have more RAM for smooth gaming experience. Apart from RAM, graphics card also plays very important role in gaming. Other than games, but if you want to have multiple operating systems i.e. Virtual Operating Systems running on same computer inside one operating system then also you need to have more RAM.
I think in that case you should go for 6GB DDR2 RAM installed on computer. As DDR3 is much faster than DDR2, I would suggest to have 4GB DDR3 for this kind of operations.
As I am writing this post in year 2011, I am very much sure that this stat or detail will require some changes after 3 – 4 years but that is fine, right? I think one should upgrade the existing computer configuration in that much time frame. That’s why I would suggest to invest in powerful motherboard while purchasing a new computer where you get option to extend the RAM to at least 2 times the currently installed RAM. This one step will increase the life of your computer by at least 2 – 3 years.
Did you find this post helpful? Post your thoughts and experience through comments section.