What is RAM and why is it important?

An overview of RAM in computers

So you purchased your long-sought video game and you found out that one the of the system requirements for the game to run properly is a minimum of 8GB RAM size, but there your PC is, a 4GB RAM system. You go on with the installation and one way or the other, you manage to install the game, you feel you've cheated technology, only for you to launch the game and find out that it lags, okay, before you tear the whole place down, let us talk about an overview of RAM and why it is important in computers.

What is RAM?

RAM is an acronym that stands for Random Access Memory. It is like a virtual hub where things like system files that are needed by the computer are temporarily stored so the processor does not have to go into long term storage to fetch them. In everyday convo, RAM is commonly referred to as Memory while devices like SSD and HDD are referred to as Storage.

One of the major features of RAM is its volatility, that is, when the computer is turned off, the data held in the RAM is cleared. RAM is also easier for the processor to access compared to long term storage.

An analogy that is commonly used to explain RAM is the desktop and drawer analogy where the desktop (RAM) holds files that are needed for smooth running while the drawer stores files for long term purposes.

Why then is RAM important?

Now that you get what RAM is all about, what is all the fuss about RAM, why is RAM size important for a computer's operation. Obviously, larger RAM size means larger space for the Computer to store things its needs at the moment, this reduces the need for the computer to access long term storage which takes a lot of time, all of these will make the computer run faster, better and smoother.

Now that you get the picture, I hope you stop being mad at your Pc for not being able to run a game that is it can more that what it can actually handle, you should be grateful it even tried ;)