How Much RAM Do I Need?

Before you pick a motherboard, you need to choose how much RAM you want your computer to have.  RAM stands for 'Random Access Memory' and essentially translates to your computer's short term memory.  RAM is where basic computer operations are stored and carried out. 

DDR and DDR2 are the two main types of RAM you can choose.   A good amount of RAM cannot be understated; more than anything, RAM is going to be the one thing to splurge on for your home PC. 

Determining how much RAM you need depends on a few factors:

1. What you are going to use the computer for primarily
2. What operating system you are running
3. Which motherboard you choose

Are you using your computer for video editing, 3D animation, watching movies/TV, or gaming?  Then you need more RAM. Look for 6+GB of RAM.

If you're running Windows XP, you can get away with 1GB of RAM.  Vista and Windows 7 are going to need more RAM to function properly; look for anywhere between 4-16GB.

The last factor to consider is whether or not your motherboard of choice supports the type and size of RAM you want.  Make sure that your motherboard and RAM are compatible before purchasing either one.  Ideally you should use identical RAM sticks to ensure stability and smooth operation. Going higher than the figures listed here will probably not do much for your system performance. 

Tip: If you're using a 32-bit OS, don't get more than 4GB RAM because 32-bit systems can only use up to about 3.5GB; anything above that is wasting money.