Can someone explain about speed and memory - my computer is slowing down does that mean I need more memory? Find it totally confusing.

try clearing previous history files,cookies etc

Ive done that but want to know for when I choose a new computer -

If your machine is slowing down noticeably you may have installed/uninstalled some software which is starting to make your OS slow down.

Depending on the specification of your machine, it probably only requires a software rebuild/clean up so many people assume there machine is slow and need a new computer! Obviously if it's 5 years old and is still running the original XP build it won't feel much different compared to a modern day machine once it's rebuilt, but it should be alot speedier.

How much RAM does your current machine have?

"Speed" = subjective, but i guess you're referring to the CPU's clock-speed. This is how quickly it can "work things out".

"Memory" = usually RAM, although many (non-tech) people will refer to hard drive space as memory too.

RAM is the temporary memory used by the CPU to note the things it is currently "working out". The Hard Drive is "memory" that stores all your data long-term (work, photos, videos, emails, etc).



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Sorry if this is too simple :)

Imagine a person working at a desk.

The person is the CPU/Processor - the bit that does all the work. Dual Core would be like having 2 people, or 1 person with 2 heads and 4 arms :hihi:

The desk itself is the memory - the bigger it is the more you can have open at once.

The filing cabinet is the hard drive - The bigger it is the more stuff you can store.


If your desktop (memory) isn't big enough you will have to put stuff back in the filing cabinet (hard drive) before you can do any more work. To make it faster the person (processor) needs to be quicker but if the desk top (memory) isn't big enough it will still be slow as they will have to keep putting stuff back in the filing cabined (hard drive) .

Awesome explanation

and ive just fallen over my bin trying to reach the filing cabinet so i could empty some space on my desk :D