-
Posts
-
Is it the Mega Bites of Ram (mine is 512) or is it the Giga Bites (i have 80), that determine the speed of a PC?
I read in a computer magazine that you need atleast 512MB`s of Ram to get the most out of broadband. Naturally i then assume its MB`s of Ram that makes your pc work faster….
But my brother has 512MB`s of Ram, and his pc is quicker, cos he says its the GB`s (hes got 160) that do it.
I thought the GB`s were just for storing information like music n stuff….
Your RAM determines the speed your PC can do multiple tasks – you need a minimum of 512MB RAM if you are running Windows XP.
Your “GB” size is the capacity of what your PC can hold. The more GB, the more you can store on your PC.
Your Broadband shouldn’t really be affected by either [unless of course you are opening multiple windows on ‘tinternet]. It might be an idea to delete your Temporary Internet Files – they tend to slow your speed whilst surfing.
If you want to keep an eye on your RAM, download FreeRam XP Pro:-
http://www.yourwaresolutions.com/software.html
It will put an icon on your XP toolbar and monitor your RAM – quite handy to keep an eye on – that way you’ll know if your PC is using all your RAM or not. I currently have 512MB RAM on my laptop and use XP and Broadband – I generally have around 200MB RAM free if I do not have any other applications open [although I am going to upgrade the RAM soon :wink: ].
I would start with deleting temporary internet files.
Then there’s always some other smart arse on JC who will come up with an answer.
Then there’s Owen “Google” Ka$h.
:D
Thanks Morticia, didnt take you as a pc boff :)
haha no Emma – I’m definitely not JC’s Computer Geek !
Unfortunately I’ve used PC’s at work for years and have found the resident IT departments as much use as a chocolate ashtray !
Suffice to say that my home laptop is in much better shape than my work’s PC !
Failing what I’ve said on my other post – you could have downloaded some spyware and it could be a good idea to make sure you have a good up to date spyware remover programme on your PC. Spyware will definitely slow your internet connection.
Right, that’s enough intelligent “stuff” I’m off for a lie down………. :lol:
(….. and another litre of Vodka ??? – Ed)
Thanks for caring morticia, but i didnt say my pc was slowing down, just what makes it run faster between GB and MB RAM.
Emma – the ”RAM” in a computer is short for Random Access Memory and is usually measured in MB (or Megabytes) typically in multiples like 64 – 128 – 256 – 512 – 1024 etc etc depending on the exact configuration of the PC and the number of RAM sticks (or elongated circuit boards) you have in it. These fit into special ”slots” on your motherboard and computers can have anything from 1 to 4 – but typically 2 or 4. It entirely depends on the make and set up of the motherboard.
Yours has 512MB of RAM which probably means it has two RAM sticks of 256MB each, inserted into two RAM slots on the computer’s motherboard. By comparison mine has four available RAM slots on the motherboard and I have it configured with 2 X 512 RAM sticks and 2 X 256 RAM sticks making a total of 1536MB ( or 1.536GB) of RAM. Way over the top but hey – who’s counting.
Basically the more RAM you have the faster and better the computer will perform – particularly if you carry out several tasks at the same time (e.g. using Word and Excel as well as say Outlook (for e-mails) and at the same time surfing the net all whilst in the background you are running an anti virus scan).
The GB (or Gigabytes) you refer to is usually the size of the data storage capacity of the main hard disc drive (or HDD). This is where all the applications and utilities as well as the Operating System live and also where all your saved data is stored (My Documents, downloads etc etc).
80GB refers to the size of the storage area on the HDD and is the normal size you would expect on a modern computer. Some have only 10GB, some 20 or 40 GB and you can get HDDs of 120GB or more if needed.
The more GB you have available on your HDD the more data you can store. Music, photos and videos are heavy consumers of storage space whereas documents, spreadsheets and e-mails are relatively modest.
The other thing that you didn’t mention is the processor speed on your computer. Your brother’s is probably faster than yours because he has a faster speed processor than you do. Slow processors can be in the order of say 800MHz and really fast ones around 3.0 GHz. Typically 1.5 GHz is an average processor speed which should be absolutely fine for most things except maybe high speed gaming etc.
Bottom line is, to dramatically increase the speed of your computer, you increase the RAM not the HDD storage space. Adding a faster processor is not an easy option and can be relatively expensive.
Hope that this helps.
@morticia wrote:
Then there’s always some other smart fundamental orifice on JC who will come up with an answer.:D
@forumhostpb wrote:
Emma – the ”RAM” in a computer is short for Random Access Memory and is usually measured in MB (or Megabytes) typically in multiples like 64 – 128 – 256 – 512 – 1024 etc etc depending on the exact configuration of the PC and the number of RAM sticks (or elongated circuit boards) you have in it. These fit into special ”slots” on your motherboard and computers can have anything from 1 to 4 – but typically 2 or 4. It entirely depends on the make and set up of the motherboard.
Yours has 512MB of RAM which probably means it has two RAM sticks of 256MB each, inserted into two RAM slots on the computer’s motherboard. By comparison mine has four available RAM slots on the motherboard and I have it configured with 2 X 512 RAM sticks and 2 X 256 RAM sticks making a total of 1536MB ( or 1.536GB) of RAM. Way over the top but hey – who’s counting.
Basically the more RAM you have the faster and better the computer will perform – particularly if you carry out several tasks at the same time (e.g. using Word and Excel as well as say Outlook (for e-mails) and at the same time surfing the net all whilst in the background you are running an anti virus scan).
The GB (or Gigabytes) you refer to is usually the size of the data storage capacity of the main hard disc drive (or HDD). This is where all the applications and utilities as well as the Operating System live and also where all your saved data is stored (My Documents, downloads etc etc).
80GB refers to the size of the storage area on the HDD and is the normal size you would expect on a modern computer. Some have only 10GB, some 20 or 40 GB and you can get HDDs of 120GB or more if needed.
The more GB you have available on your HDD the more data you can store. Music, photos and videos are heavy consumers of storage space whereas documents, spreadsheets and e-mails are relatively modest.
The other thing that you didn’t mention is the processor speed on your computer. Your brother’s is probably faster than yours because he has a faster speed processor than you do. Slow processors can be in the order of say 800MHz and really fast ones around 3.0 GHz. Typically 1.5 GHz is an average processor speed which should be absolutely fine for most things except maybe high speed gaming etc.
Bottom line is, to dramatically increase the speed of your computer, you increase the RAM not the HDD storage space. Adding a faster processor is not an easy option and can be relatively expensive.
Hope that this helps.
:-
Ya cheeky git !! :lol: :lol:
@forumhostpb wrote:
Yours has 512MB of RAM which probably means it has two RAM sticks of 256MB each, inserted into two RAM slots on the computer’s motherboard. By comparison mine has four available RAM slots on the motherboard and I have it configured with 2 X 512 RAM sticks and 2 X 256 RAM sticks making a total of 1536MB ( or 1.536GB
) of RAM. Way over the top but hey – who’s counting.
I dont get the bolded bit. MB is GB?
Basically the more RAM you have the faster and better the computer will perform
So its the RAM that makes your pc run faster? My bros is the same, but runs faster :? Your confusing me….
The other thing that you didn’t mention is the processor speed on your computer. Your brother’s is probably faster than yours because he has a faster speed processor than you do. Slow processors can be in the order of say 800MHz and really fast ones around 3.0 GHz. Typically 1.5 GHz is an average processor speed which should be absolutely fine for most things except maybe high speed gaming etc
I have 2.80Ghz, my bros is 3.6Ghz. He now has 160 GB`s too, so these to differences may be why his runs faster.
Take your pc for a MOT here:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/
You have to allow the site to instal a ActiveX control on your pc to run the
tests. At the end of the test click on any red or yellow flags you may have
to view any problems and find possible remedies.
Get involved in this discussion! Log in or register now to have your say!