Choose Computer Memory
Computer Memory aka RAM
Computer memory is used to hold information so the computer can easily retrieve it with great speed. For example, if you open up Internet Explorer
to surf the internet, the files needed to run Internet Explorer are stored in the computers memory. Now the computer can access the files that it needs,
almost instantly. Once files have filled up all of your computers memory, it will need the hard drive to help hold this information. This will slow down
a computer because, reading and writing information to the hard driver is a lot slower than reading and writing to the computer memory. This is why it
is important to have plenty of memory and it's the cheapest way to speed up a computer. Computer memory in todays market, usually run around fifteen dollars for
a, one gig stick of computer memory.
I'm not going to go into, how ram works because, all you need to know as a computer user is, the more ram the better. Microsoft Windows supports different
amounts of computer memory, depending on what version of Windows you are running. Below is a chart that will tell you the total amount of memory you can have
in your computer depending on your Windows version.
Computer Memory Limits: Windows 7
The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows 7.
| Version | 32-bit Windows | 64-bit Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
4 GB |
192 GB |
| Windows 7 Enterprise |
4 GB |
192 GB |
| Windows 7 Professional |
4 GB |
192 GB |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
4 GB |
16 GB |
| Windows 7 Home Basic |
4 GB |
8 GB |
| Windows 7 Starter |
2 GB |
2 GB |
Computer Memory Limits: Windows Server 2008 R2
The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows Server 2008 R2 is available only in 64-bit editions.
| Version | 64-bit Windows |
|---|---|
| Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter |
2 TB |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise |
2 TB |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-Based Systems |
2 TB |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation |
8 GB |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard |
32 GB |
| Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 |
128 GB |
| Windows Web Server 2008 R2 |
32 GB |
Computer Memory Limits: Windows Server 2008
The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows Server 2008. Limits greater than 4 GB for 32-bit Windows assume that PAE is enabled.
| Version | 32-bit Windows | 64-bit Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2008 Datacenter |
64 GB |
2 TB |
| Windows Server 2008 Enterprise |
64 GB |
2 TB |
| Windows Server 2008 HPC Edition |
Not applicable |
128 GB |
| Windows Server 2008 Standard |
4 GB |
32 GB |
| Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems |
Not applicable |
2 TB |
| Windows Small Business Server 2008 |
4 GB |
32 GB |
| Windows Web Server 2008 |
4 GB |
32 GB |
Computer Memory Limits: Windows Vista
The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows Vista.
| Version | 32-bit Windows | 64-bit Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Vista Ultimate |
4 GB |
128 GB |
| Windows Vista Enterprise |
4 GB |
128 GB |
| Windows Vista Business |
4 GB |
128 GB |
| Windows Vista Home Premium |
4 GB |
16 GB |
| Windows Vista Home Basic |
4 GB |
8 GB |
| Windows Vista Starter |
1 GB |
Not applicable |
Computer Memory Limits: Windows Home Server
Windows Home Server is available only in a 32-bit edition. The physical memory limit is 4 GB.
Computer Memory Limits: Windows Server 2003
The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows Server 2003. Limits over 4 GB for 32-bit Windows assume that PAE is enabled.
| Version | 32-bit Windows | 64-bit Windows |
|---|---|---|
|
Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 (SP2), Datacenter Edition |
128 GB 64 GB with 4GT |
2 TB |
|
Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 (SP2), Enterprise Edition |
64 GB |
2 TB |
|
Windows Storage Server 2003, Enterprise Edition |
8 GB |
Not applicable |
|
Windows Storage Server 2003 |
4 GB |
Not applicable |
|
Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Datacenter Edition |
128 GB 16 GB with 4GT |
1 TB |
|
Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Enterprise Edition |
64 GB 16 GB with 4GT |
1 TB |
|
Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition SP1 Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition SP2 |
4 GB |
32 GB |
|
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition |
128 GB 16 GB with 4GT |
512 GB |
|
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition |
32 GB 16 GB with 4GT |
64 GB |
|
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition |
4 GB |
16 GB |
|
Windows Server 2003, Web Edition |
2 GB |
Not applicable |
|
Windows Small Business Server 2003 |
4 GB |
Not applicable |
|
Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 |
Not applicable |
32 GB |
Computer Memory Limits: Windows XP
The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows XP.
| Version | 32-bit Windows | 64-bit Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Windows XP |
4 GB |
128 GB |
| Windows XP Starter Edition |
512 MB |
Not applicable |
Computer Memory Limits: Windows 2000
The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows 2000.
| Version | 32-bit Windows |
|---|---|
| Windows 2000 Professional |
4 GB |
| Windows 2000 Server |
4 GB |
| Windows 2000 Advanced Server |
8 GB |
| Windows 2000 Datacenter Server |
32 GB |
Computer memory speed:
The speed of computer memory will vary and your motherboard specs list will tell you the fastest memory that your computer can handle. This speed is determined by the FSB (Front Side Bus). You can put computer memory in your computer that is slower than the FSB, but not faster. Putting in slower computer memory is a bad thing because you will be limiting your computers full potential. There is other factors that come into play when purchasing computer memory but they are more advanced and a computer tech will be able to determine the best computer memory. By using the above information, you can get a estimated price you will spend on your memory.