|
|
Why Should I Add More RAM?Aug 20 '00 Write an essay on this topic.The first thing many computer owners try to go out and do is add more memory or RAM to their system. This seems to be the first logical step to improving the system's overall speed and performance. This thinking is not completely wrong, but it does need a few other major factors to weigh in with it. First of all, simply adding more memory does not always make the system run faster. Most of the time it does, but not always. The cases where it will not always help is when you have such an old and slow machine that is lacking in other areas. Memory is one main component of MANY that are required to have a good and fairly fast system. If the other areas are lacking (such as processor, video, hard drive, etc), then simply adding more memory may simply be throwing more money out the door - especially on an older system. You should first establish if the system you wish to add memory to is worthy of such a task. If you are running a 586 class machine or lower, then your answer is to simply sell the machine in the local newspaper and take your money and put it towards a new or newer machine. Take my word on this, people are always selling off their old computer in the local newspaper for ungodly amounts - and they get it. Just because its old to you, doesn't mean that its not better than another guy's. Simply put, it is not worth putting money into such an old machine if you feel it is not up to speed for the task you want to perform with it as it is. Memory for older machines is higher in cost and just not worth it. A good example is that an older machine needs memory in pairs. So say you want to add 32MB to your older machine and you have the extra slots to take it. Then you need to purchase two 16MB modules to make the 32MB extra that you need. This will cost you around $90.00. Now, lets say you wanted to add 32MB to a newer machine, this will cost you only $49.00 because you need to only purchase only a single module and it is also about ten times faster in speed. Newer memory is about half the price of older memory and is much faster. This is where I recommend taking that extra would be wasted money and putting it towards a newer machine with a larger and faster hard drive, video, and more. In other words, sell the old machine off. If the system is a 586 class or higher, it may or may not be worth the while. Once again, it depends on the other components in the system and what exactly your are trying to achieve with that machine. If you have a 586 or early 686 class machine, your first question is: What do I try to accomplish with this computer? If you are simply doing word processing, spreadsheets, and an occasional game or two, then 16MB should do you fine. If you think that Internet browsing is the thing for you, then AT LEAST 32MB would be wise, but once again, I'd think about simply selling this machine off in the local newspaper. Internet browsing can be done on such a machine, but the main problem is that if you are a newbie to the Internet, you will probably get more frustrated at the machine and not gain much use or knowledge of the Internet due to the lack of power your machine has on the net. If you are experienced on the net, the lack of speed will drive you insane and you will not want to use the machine any more than you have to. But, lets say the old 586 is just fine as it is. Most 586 machines were built with 16MB of RAM when they were new (which was roughly 3 years ago). If the machine operated okay at that point, it should still operate okay now...unless you have made the mistake of trying to install a newer version of software such as Windows98, or Office2000 (DO NOT DO THIS). Simply put, such a machine was not designed for this kind of software (when it was originally built, this software was not available for it at that time therefore you should not try to run this software on it now). Go back to the original versions of the software you once had on this machine and live with it, or once again, place an ad in your local newspaper and shop for a newer machine. On to the 686 series... So you have a 686 class machine, and you feel it needs a boost? Is it in the same boat as the 586? Are you trying to run a newer version of software on it or are you trying to access the Internet and are now finding it to run slower? Are you trying to add on toys such as a web cam? If so, your answer is as above with the 586 machine...unless...your machine supports the newer RAM style (168 Pin SDRAM) which most do. Now you have a possible option. Most of these machines were shipped with 16-32MB of RAM on them and a processor of 75-233MHz. This is sufficient for most tasks, including Internet. though not real speedy today (due to newer and more demanding content on the Internet), they do provide access that almost anyone can deal with. These machines are once again, probably lacking more in other areas for speed than memory (cache memory is a bigger factor, such as in the Packard Bell lineup, in which most do not have any cache memory at all). If your machine is PC-66 SDRAM based, then it would not be wise not to add more memory unless you could get a very good deal on the pricing. Simply put, the newer styles of memory (PC-100 and PC-133) are much cheaper and you will get more RAM for your money. Invest your money into a new mother board and CPU along with the extra RAM that you need and you will be much happier (you can purchase a newer motherboard and memory for less than $200.00 - add a processor for around $50-$100 and you have a whole new system). It is sometimes wiser to simply sell off the old machine, and put that money towards a new or newer machine with the RAM that you feel that you need. System upgrade options and pricing changes almost daily. Every day, a newer and faster model of something becomes available and everyday, a person with a machine slower and older than yours is buying a used computer in the local newspaper. People simply do not realize that most of the time, it is simply cheaper to upgrade the current motherboard and components or to simply upgrade the entire computer all together. If you have a new computer that you just purchased recently, and you feel that this machine needs more memory, keep this in mind. Today, 64 MB is the smallest you should be using, and 128MB is where you should be. If you just purchased your machine, and you are below this, then you did not get as good of a deal as you thought when you purchased your system. IT should have come standard with this amount. And another thing on this same system, if you recently purchased your system and feel you need to upgrade the memory, make sure that your system is out of warranty or you will void the system warranty by opening the case. I have had many cases where someone was at Circuit City and picked a system based on price but felt it needed more RAM, and with the so helpful Circuit City employees offering to add more RAM that very day and on the spot, just to make the sale, put the extra memory in the system right then and there, and then and there voided the system warranty before the customer purchased it. Unknowingly, the customer purchased the system, then found out the hard way months down the road when they had a problem with the system and tried to get warranty service on it. Don't let this happen to you. If it doesn't have what you want in it originally, do not purchase it. If the machine is past warranty, feel free and add some more memory to it. Today, you should be running at least 64MB of RAM for basic uses, 128MB of RAM is ideal (and required if you are going to run Windows2000). Also, if you are using a web cam, 128MB RAM is where you should be. This is for average users - if you need more, you will already know it.  |
| Read all comments (2)|Write your own comment |
|
Ads by Google
|
