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When looking for a new computer, one of the most important decisions you'll have to make is what kind of processor to get. But what is a processor exactly? And how does it relate to RAM?

In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about processors and RAM to make the best decision for the Best laptop and PC purchase!

What is RAM?

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is your computer's short-term memory. It stores the data and instructions that your processor needs to access quickly. When you open a program, it loads into RAM so the processor can access it. Think of it like this: the processor is the car, and the RAM is the gasoline.

To understand how much RAM you need, think about the programs you use most often. If you're a power user with many tabs open in your browser, heavy photo or video editing, or gaming, you'll want more RAM.

RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB); the more GB you have, the more information your RAM can store. Most computers come with either four or eight GB of RAM, but you can find computers with up to 32 GB of RAM.

How does RAM work?

You can think of RAM as a desk where the processor stores its paperwork. It can only hold so much information at a time, and it's easy to get overwhelmed if your desk is cluttered. When you need to access something on your desk, you must sort through everything to find it.

RAM works through a process called “paging.” When the RAM is full, and a processor tries to access more data than it can hold, the RAM will “page out” some of its contents to the hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) to make room for the new data. This process happens quickly and automatically, so you don't have to do anything.

SSD and RAM

Speaking of SSDs, they are a type of storage that is much faster than a hard drive. So if your processor needs to access data stored on an SSD, it can do so much faster than if it were stored on a hard drive.

An SSD is a fast car, and a hard drive is a slower one. If you're going on a long trip, you'll want to take the fast car. But the slower car will do just fine if you're going around the block (and it will use less gas).

The same is true for your processor and RAM. If you're browsing the web or working on documents, you don't need a lot of RAM because the processor can quickly access the data stored on your hard drive. But if you're gaming or editing video, you'll want more RAM so the processor can access the data stored on your SSD.

Why is RAM called volatile memory?

RAM is called volatile memory because it only stores data temporarily. When you turn off your computer, the data stored in RAM is erased.

This is why it's crucial to save your work often. If you're working on a document and haven't saved it, and then your computer crashes, you'll lose all your unsaved work.

RAM is volatile memory, and SSDs and hard drives are non-volatile memory. This means that the data stored on them is not erased when you turn off your computer.

Can you upgrade your RAM?

Upgrading your RAM involves opening up your computer and adding more RAM modules to the empty slots on your motherboard. This is a fairly easy process; you can find instructions for how to do it online.

You can also upgrade your hard drive or SSD by buying a larger one and replacing the old one. This is a bit more difficult than upgrading RAM, but it's still a relatively easy process.

It's a bit more challenging for laptops, but upgrading the RAM or storage is still possible.

What is a Processor?

Now that we know what RAM is, let's talk about processors and how they relate to RAM. The processor is the brain of your computer, and it does all the heavy lifting. It runs the programs you use and stores the data you need.

Processors are measured in gigahertz (GHz); the higher the GHz, the faster the processor. A fast processor is important if you're doing a lot of multitasking or running resource-intensive programs. Still, it's not as important for browsing the web or working on documents.

How do Processors Work?

Processors work by fetching instructions from RAM and executing them. The processor can only fetch a certain number of instructions at a time, so if it has to wait for RAM to give it more instructions, it will slow down.

For example, if you're trying to open a large video file, and your processor is only fetching instructions from RAM at a rate of two GHz, it will take longer than if it were fetching instructions at a rate of four GHz.

The relationship between the processor and RAM is important because a fast processor can be slowed down by slow RAM and vice versa. If you're buying a new computer, you should prioritize the processor if you're a power user and prioritize RAM if you're not.

Types of Processor

There are two types of processors: central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). Let's talk about each one.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the main processor in your computer, and it handles all the non-graphics-related tasks. It fetches instructions from RAM and executes them. For example, the CPU does all the work if you're browsing the web or working on a document.

CPU examples: AMD Ryzen, Intel Core i-series

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

The GPU is responsible for all the graphics-related tasks on your computer. When you're playing a game or watching a video, the GPU works on rendering the images on your screen.

In gaming, the GPU is often more important than the CPU because it's responsible for the graphics, and most games are graphics-intensive. GPUs are also important for video editing and other graphics-related tasks. Popular gaming GPUs include the NVIDIA GeForce and the AMD Radeon.

What are the minimum RAM and Processor requirements of a gaming PC?

Gaming PCs need more RAM and a faster processor than a standard PC because games are resource-intensive. Most games nowadays require at least 16 GB of RAM to run smoothly.

As for processors, you'll want a CPU with a high GHz rating if you're looking to play the latest games. You could choose at least an Intel Core i5 or i7, or the equivalent in AMD Ryzen. 

The Bottom Line: What Should You Prioritize?

When it comes to RAM vs. Processor, there is no easy answer. It depends on how you use your computer and what type of user you are.

If you're a casual user who only uses your computer to browse the web, work on documents, and watch videos, you should prioritize RAM.

But if you're a power user who multitasks or runs resource-intensive programs, you should prioritize the processor. That being said, if you're planning to play a lot of games or do a lot of video editing, you should get a computer with a fast processor and a lot of RAM. And that's it-Thanks for reading!

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