RAM!
Your computer’s main memory (or RAM) holds programs, documents, and files that you are currently using. RAM exists as a kind of buffer. It is much quicker for your PC to grab information out of its RAM than go to the hard drive. Naturally, the more RAM you have, the smoother your computer will run. Of course, if you’re only running solitaire, you don’t need to load up on RAM. But as the owner of a homemade DVR or HTPC, you might have different needs. Let’s look into it…
How Much Do I Have
No idea how much memory you have? Open the start menu and look for control panel. Then click system. This will tell you how much memory you have.
How Much Should I Have
Personally, I have 640mb. I would say 512mb is the absolute minimum. 1gb is probably a safe bet and anything more than that is overkill (unless you are really giving your HTPC a workout). Typically, I have Mediaportal running, Beyond TV in the background and maybe iTunes or an emulator loaded up as well. This will fit snugly in a gig of memory. You’ll only need more if you’re editing video files or huge images.
What Kind Do I Get?
So you want to upgrade, but how do you do it? Luckily, installing RAM is one of the easiest upgrades you can make. The hardest part is figuring out which type of memory works with your computer. Luckily, there is a great tool you can use. The memory company Crucial provides a tool that looks through your PC and determines what memory is compatible. Follow their advice, and your HTPC will be smoother than ever!
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