Many times people automatically think that they always need as much memory in their computer as possible. However, in reality, not everybody needs the maximum amount of RAM installed in their computer. The trick is to be able to identify the memory needs of your computer so that it has enough memory to perform the types of computer tasks that you generally engage in. By making this type of evaluation, you will be better prepared to know when you need to purchase computer ram memory.

One common reason for needing additional memory is operating system upgrades. For example, you will find that Vista requires more RAM than XP did, just as XP required more RAM than Windows 2000. As operating systems become more sophisticated, they require more memory to do their job. This takes away from the amount of computer memory that is available to your other computer applications. Whenever you upgrade your operating system, it is time to assess your computer's memory needs.

Upgrades of common business software are another thing that could create a need for more computer RAM memory. Just as with operating systems, business software gets more complex with each new version, and invariably it seems like the computer RAM memory needs increase. If you are installing new software on your PC, look at its memory requirements, and see if you need to upgrade.

In addition to the specific scenarios described above, there are times when you realize that your computer can just benefit overall from a computer RAM upgrade. Sometimes computers just do not have adequate memory to allow for efficient everyday usage. You might realize that it seems like things are taking longer than they should, or you can actually hear your hard drive working on tasks, such as coping, or editing large files. If this happens, it is a sign that you would benefit from a computer RAM memory upgrade.

About the Author: Shane is a total computer geek and enjoys upgrading his own computer ram memory. Find helpful tips on computer ram memory at http://computerrammemory.org.