This will bring up "Windows Task Manager" window.

Step 2: Click on "Performance" tab within "Windows Task Manager" window. A screen similar to the following will appear. This screen shows Memory and CPU usage statistics of your computer.

In this screen, Physical Memory section shows the Total Physical Memory installed in the computer. Which in this case is 129528KBytes (Kilo Bytes) or 128MB (MegaBytes).

Commit Charge section shows memory usage statistics. "Total" value under commit charge shows the current RAM usage of the computer; which in this case is 226820KBytes or 226MB. If you open any programs, you will notice that "Total" value will go up; and if you close any program, this value will come down

Peak Commit Charge value is the peak memory usage since this computer was turned on (227MB). If Peak Commit Charge value is greater than or very close to Total Physical memory, you need a RAM upgrade!

 

I am sure some of you out there are wondering if this computer has only 128MB memory installed in it, how can peak value be 227MB?

Hmm this sounds quite confusing, but there is a simple explanation. When computer runs out of physical memory (RAM), it starts using a portion of the hard drive (permanent memory) as RAM known as Virtual Memory.

Use of Virtual Memory increases wear and tear of the Hard Drive, and drastically reduces overall performance of the computer.

Given the complexity of the modern software, and reduced prices of RAM, on average a home PC should have at least 512MB (1GB preferred) memory to function properly.

This cheap yet important upgrade can dramatically increase your computers performance and life of the hard disk.

You can buy RAM at your local computer store and install yourself (click here for How to Install RAM Guide) or call us at (866) 345-0109 and we will send a technician to do this for you.

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