How to Choose the
Best Computer Memory
This article helps you choose the best computer memory (RAM) for your gaming computer. RAM (Random Access Memory) is the memory in a computer used to store running programs. The more RAM you have, the faster your games and other programs will run.
Investing in a decent amount of RAM from a trusted company is a smart idea. The performance of your gaming computer will be greatly affected by the type and amount of RAM you have on-board.
Firstly, let's take a look at the different types of RAM available to you.
Firstly, let's take a look at the different types of RAM available to you.
Types of RAM
There are different types of RAM you can buy for your computer, such as SDRAM, DDR2 RAM, and DDR3 RAM. The memory type you select will depend on which type is supported by your motherboard.
SDRAM. This is an older form of memory that was superseded by DDR SDRAM. These days it has been taken over by better and faster forms of memory, so you won't need to worry about this type of RAM.
DDR2 RAM. DDR (Double Data Rate 2) RAM is very fast, and has been the most common type of RAM for desktop PCs in recent years.
DDR3 RAM. The latest type of RAM out on the market is DDR3. This is the fastest, and the best computer memory type you can get. It's starting to take over DDR2 for good. So if you have a choice of which type of memory to get, get DDR3.
How Much RAM Do You Need?
You might be asking "How much RAM do I need?". The simple answer is “as much as you can afford”. Adding memory to your system will show real results, and RAM prices are forever getting cheaper.
Windows XP needs at least 128MB of RAM just to be usable, although with such little memory you are bound to have big problems these days. Add a few applications and you’ll quickly find that 256MB, and even 512MB, still isn't enough. And that’s just for normal computer users.
To run Windows Vista decently, you will be required to have at least 1 gig of RAM. If you’re a gamer, and I assume most of you are since you’re visiting this site, then you will require even more RAM. 1-2 Gigabytes is the absolute minimum these days to play decent 3D games, but you should really look into buying a little more. It’s really worth your money, especially if you’re interested in upcoming releases which will require even more grunt from your system.
I would recommend getting at least 4 gigs of DDR3 RAM for your gaming computer, more if you can. An ideal gaming PC would have 6-8 gigs these days. Make sure your motherboard supports DDR3 though, and if not then just get DDR2 RAM if that's what you need, as it is still fast and a little cheaper too.
Buying Your RAM
Buying the best computer memory for your gaming computer involves knowing which type you need, and then choosing how much you want.
One thing to watch out for is the brand of the memory you buy. I recommend that you buy from a quality manufacturer, such as Kingston, Crucial, Corsair, OCZ or Samsung. Buying cheap memory from an unknown manufacturer is risky.
There are different types of RAM you can buy for your computer, such as SDRAM, DDR2 RAM, and DDR3 RAM. The memory type you select will depend on which type is supported by your motherboard.
SDRAM. This is an older form of memory that was superseded by DDR SDRAM. These days it has been taken over by better and faster forms of memory, so you won't need to worry about this type of RAM.
DDR2 RAM. DDR (Double Data Rate 2) RAM is very fast, and has been the most common type of RAM for desktop PCs in recent years.
DDR3 RAM. The latest type of RAM out on the market is DDR3. This is the fastest, and the best computer memory type you can get. It's starting to take over DDR2 for good. So if you have a choice of which type of memory to get, get DDR3.
How Much RAM Do You Need?
You might be asking "How much RAM do I need?". The simple answer is “as much as you can afford”. Adding memory to your system will show real results, and RAM prices are forever getting cheaper.
Windows XP needs at least 128MB of RAM just to be usable, although with such little memory you are bound to have big problems these days. Add a few applications and you’ll quickly find that 256MB, and even 512MB, still isn't enough. And that’s just for normal computer users.
To run Windows Vista decently, you will be required to have at least 1 gig of RAM. If you’re a gamer, and I assume most of you are since you’re visiting this site, then you will require even more RAM. 1-2 Gigabytes is the absolute minimum these days to play decent 3D games, but you should really look into buying a little more. It’s really worth your money, especially if you’re interested in upcoming releases which will require even more grunt from your system.
I would recommend getting at least 4 gigs of DDR3 RAM for your gaming computer, more if you can. An ideal gaming PC would have 6-8 gigs these days. Make sure your motherboard supports DDR3 though, and if not then just get DDR2 RAM if that's what you need, as it is still fast and a little cheaper too.
Buying Your RAM
Buying the best computer memory for your gaming computer involves knowing which type you need, and then choosing how much you want.
One thing to watch out for is the brand of the memory you buy. I recommend that you buy from a quality manufacturer, such as Kingston, Crucial, Corsair, OCZ or Samsung. Buying cheap memory from an unknown manufacturer is risky.
