Are You Wondering If You Need More Memory?

Written By:  Jeff H. Reynolds

It seems that every day I get an email or two asking whether or not 128mb of computer memory is enough.  Unfortunately, the answer to the question is not a simple yes or no. 

The first factor to consider is what type of operating system is being run?  The second factor to consider is what type of applications are being run?  And, the third factor that must be considered is what kind of other hardware is involved? 

In my business, I sell mostly used business workstations which are either Celeron or Pentium III based with 128mb of memory.  This is more than adequate for the basic and average user who is running Windows or Linux.  I have found that unless the user is going to be doing extensive video/picture editing or running the computer on the internet with a half dozen windows open and applications running in the background... 128mb is fine.  But, if you are a 'power user', or otherwise a person that may have a tendency of running the computer pretty hard such as streaming music and otherwise multi-tasking... you might want to consider increasing the memory by adding another 128mb on up to 256mb if not on up to 512mb.  In fact, I have found that this simple change can have a more pronounced and positive effect than increasing processor speed.  (Just a quick note... To get a meaningful change in performance, it is my experience that you have to increase the processor speed by at least 50% or any change or increase in the speed of your processor will not really be noticed.)

When you starting pushing the computer harder and start using more and more memory, the computer starts to store some of that information on the hard drive rather than in the computer's actual memory.  The computer then accesses the hard drive when needed to access that data... essentially using what is commonly known as virtual memory.  This process can substantially slow a computer and affect it's performance at times.  

The cost of  memory is not expensive.  Typically, you can buy a stick of 128mb DDR memory for less than $20.00 at your local electronics store. Sticks of 512mb DDR memory are now less than $50.00.   

So to sum things up... if you are debating whether to upgrade your existing computer or to buy a new computer, you might want to first try installing a bit of more memory in your present machine and save a few dollars in the process.

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*  Before you go an buy some memory at the electronic store... do shop around.  You will likely discover that prices vary substantially from one retailer to another.  You might want to also consider buying used memory as well.  It typically is a bit cheaper yet will serve the same purpose.