Random Access Memory is a stick of memory that slots into the Motherboard and is used to store information that the CPU needs. Because the CPU needs that information to work with quickly and the HDD cannot supply that information quick enough RAM is used. Random Access means the CPU can access the memory it wants anywhere in its storage. Think of a tape player where you want to play a song in the middle of the tape, you have to look for it manually. With Random Access you can access anywhere much quicker like you can on a CD. However RAM is smaller than a HDD loses its memory when switched off and is no good for long term storage.

There are three main types RAM: EDO, SD and DDR. The oldest being EDO which needs to be used in identical pairs so you could have two 8MB sticks and two 32MB sticks which equals 80 Mb RAM.

With SD and DDR RAM you don’t need to pair them up as you do with EDO, but you can’t mix SD with DDR because all of the types of RAM have a different slot on the motherboard. All these types of RAM are much faster. Because CPU’s are getting quicker and quicker they need information very fast so the RAM is getting faster to match the CPU’s pace. For a modern computer gamer the faster RAM available is advised because the game demands the CPU to run very fast almost all of the time.

Fitting the RAM is a simple job. First make sure you have purchased the correct RAM, then open the computer case to find the RAM slots (see the Motherboard section). Align the RAM slots up making sure that the slot in the middle area is correct, apply pressure firmly and the RAM should slot in.

Random Access Memory is used to store information that the CPU needs quickly. Because the CPU needs the information to work on quickly and the HDD cannot supply that information nowhere near quick enough RAM is used.

Random Access means the CPU can access the memory it wants anywhere in its storage. Think of a tape player and you want to play a song in the middle of the tape you have to look for it manually but with Random Access you can access anywhere like you can on a CD. The thing is that RAM is nowhere as large a capacity as a HDD and it loses it memory when switched off so it’s no good for long term storage.