CNET | Community Help & how-to

View online |

Share on Facebook

October 30, 2009

Why all the hype for installing lots of RAM when the system doesn't utilize it?

Dear CNET members,

Happy Friday and a happy Halloween! It's always so fun to see how excited my kids get during this holiday. I've already lost count of how many times my kids have tried on their costumes already in the past couple weeks. Here's hoping you have spooktacular Halloween! Now let's see what our members had to say about Jhampa's question on why all the hype of adding more RAM (random access memory).

The answer to your question, Jhampa, about why there's so much hype for installing lots of RAM when the system doesn't utilize it is: "Bragging rights, period," as Coryphaeus puts it. I'm sure he's just kidding, even though there may be some truth to it among some of the computer technical geeks out there. So really why all the hype? While many members chimed in to give you their opinions, I thought I would bring to your attention a couple of answers that included some interesting points, so give them a read to get you thinking about the hype around RAM:

·"Why the hype" --Submitted by scleung
·"Misinformation" --Submitted by yourpcmedic

There are many more great responses to the question posed by Jhampa, and many interesting conversations spawned from it. And from the shared knowledge of folks who participated, I think many folks here will learn a great deal from it. There are no right or wrong answers, so give them all a read. And if any of you folks have additional opinions, join in the discussion and get heard. Thank everyone for your continued support to help one another out. Have a great Halloween and weekend!

Cheers!
- Lee

Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com

Lee Koo
CNET Community manager

Last week's question

Why all the hype for installing lots of RAM when the system doesn't utilize it?

I have always followed the advice of this community, and they have always been great suggestions. I have one question. I have 3GBs of RAM on my current Dell 531S and my new Dell 546, which I will be receiving, will have 4GB of RAM. I have two RAM monitors on my systems that keep an eye on RAM usage. They never go above 1GB and most of the time it is at 225MB to 500MB of usage. So why all the hype for lots of RAM? I periodically do film editing and it still uses only a little RAM. Is there something I am not doing to use more RAM? Is there a way to get the computer to utilize more, a setting I should redo or set? Suggestions and comments appreciated.

-- Submitted by: Jhampa S.

Featured member solutions
for last week's question:

"Why the hype"
-- Submitted by: scleung

"Misinformation"
-- Submitted by: yourpcmedic

"Peak performance is key "
-- Submitted by: say592

"Memory utilization"
-- Submitted by: GEO2003

"Always max your allowable RAM "
-- Submitted by: High Desert Charlie

Read all member contributions

Thanks to all who contributed!

Previous questions and answers

1. Windows update went bad, now my PC is stuck in endless updating cycle

1. Power supplies for PCs: How much power is enough and which brands are reliable?

2. Help! Hard-drive space doing the disappearing, reappearing act!

3. Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated?

4. Help, USB connections is not always being detect by PC

All previous Community newsletters

Community buzz

1. Many Windows 7 questions

2. Windows 7: 64-bit or 32-bit?

3. Can't defrag and can't run Chkdsk--not even in safe mode

4. How to be a security nut while on the Web? LOL

5. DVD to computer converter software

6. Would you buy a HDTV without seeing the picture first?

7. Windows 7: Can I try 64-bit and change back to 32-bit?

8. Is it bad to have the PC running 24-7?

More from the security forum

Check out next week's question:

Please help, my computer goes rogue on me

I have a three-year-old laptop, a Compaq nc6400. It's loaded with XP and I am using Microsoft Office '07, as I had a new hard drive installed last year when the old one started acting up. Now, I do go online at various hot spots around my community, but always have my AVG Security active during these visits. I recently dropped the laptop onto a hardwood floor while taking it out of the travel case I use. Since then it seems to run fine, except it will frequently (at least once every day or so) go "rogue" and stop responding to any key except possibly arrow up and down. When I repeatedly strike a key it won't respond until suddenly it will respond with multiple lines of a single character (or back spaces) until I hit "page down" or some other random key and it stops its machine gun behavior. I have picked this unit up held it securely and shaken it upside down, shut it down for 5 minutes and restarted it, used canned air across the keys and a Dust Buster-type vacuum with a focused nozzle on the keyboard, thinking maybe a food particle might be hiding back in some obscure corner. I have run Ad Aware, AVG Security, and Spybot Search and Destroy wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiithout any apparent help. What do your knowledgeable and generous tech helpers suggest? Do I spend my limited funds on a "hospital visit" at my local computer repair shop, or is there something else I should try first? Or maybe do again? Do I have a virus? Have I been hacked? Or is there just something shaken loose in the abrupt impact with the floor? I would appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks in advance for all your thoughts and attempts to help with this challenge.

-- Submitted by: Michael G.

Know the answer? Click here to submit it!

Have a tech-related question?
Click here to e-mail us on one of these topics:

· PC troubleshooting
· PC upgrading
· Digital music
· Consumer electronics
· Multimedia
· Internet security
· Digital cameras
· Home audio & video

Need help tech right away? Don't wait for us, post your questions in the CNET forums for all the tech help and how-tos.

Community quick poll
Weigh in on this week poll topic!

How much RAM does your computer have?

(Please click on button to vote)

128MB or less Which operating system and CPU?)

256MB Which operating system and CPU?)

512MB Which operating system and CPU?)

1GB Which operating system and CPU?)

2GB Which operating system and CPU?)

3GB Which operating system and CPU?)

4GB Which operating system and CPU?)

5GB Which operating system and CPU?)

6GB or more Which operating system and CPU?)

I don't know

Vote and discuss it here!

Simple question, simple answer

1. Firefox V. 3.5.4 released, fixes vulnerabilities

2. Are e-mail addresses case sensitive?

3. Guide to install a hard drive into external enclosure

4. How do I copy a DVD (legally, of course) of a special event?

5. Uninstalling integrated video card in PC

6. E-books to iPod Touch

Help your fellow members

1. Buying computer for seniors with low-vision problems

2. Where can I find a 4:3 monitor?

3. How to recover video files from my Canon HG20 camcorder?

4. Need to reinstall Windows XP on a laptop without the CD

More from the CNET forums

Windows Vista	Windows XP	Digital cameras
Desktops	Laptops	MP3 players
Home audio & video	Spyware, viruses, & security	View all forums


The e-mail address for this newsletter is test.tester@cnet.com. Click here to manage your newsletters, including this one. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please unsubscribe. Privacy statement CNET Networks takes your privacy seriously. Because we gather certain types of information about our users, we want you to clearly understand the terms and conditions surrounding the collection and use of this information. We encourage you to review our privacy policy.