RAM
From WikiRecording
Random access memory (usually known by its acronym, RAM) is a type of computer data storage. Today it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow the stored data to be accessed in any order, i.e. at random. The word random thus refers to the fact that any piece of data can be returned in a constant time, regardless of its physical location and whether or not it is related to the previous piece of data.
This contrasts with storage mechanisms such as tapes, magnetic discs and optical discs, which rely on the physical movement of the recording medium or a reading head. In these devices, the movement takes longer than the data transfer, and the retrieval time varies depending on the physical location of the next item. The word RAM is mostly associated with volatile types of memory (such as DRAM memory modules), where the information is lost after the power is switched off.
RAM and Recording
The amount of RAM your computer has greatly affects the performance of your DAW. RAM is utilized when recording, using plugins, and when analyzing waveforms.
If your computer does not have sufficient RAM, your computer will need to use your hard drive for these operations. Harddrives have significantly slower seek times and read/write speeds.
Even if you have a very fast CPU, sufficient RAM is still required. Having a fast processor but little RAM puts a bottleneck on your computers performance.
Lack of RAM is a common cause of Latency, along side a CPU.
1 to 2 GB of RAM is generally considered sufficient, however, more can only help.
Buying RAM
Different computers use different kinds of RAM. You have to be extremely careful when buying RAM. Websites like Crucial.com] sell RAM at accepted market prices and have a RAM chooser that will match your computer to the RAM you should buy.
RAM, like most computer upgrades, gets cheaper every day. 2 GB of ram for a Power Mac G5 goes for around $100, making it one of the cheapest upgrades from a cost verse performance perspective.
Citations
Random access memory. (2008, March 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:32, March 10, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Random_access_memory&oldid=196807117
