Memory, also called RAM, can be best thought of as the workspace for the processor. A computer with lots of memory has plenty of room to run multiple applications. In contrast, a system equipped with less memory requires the processor to waste time shuffling data around to make room for the next bit of work. If memory space is very limited, the processor may even need to temporarily store data on the hard drive, a process that significantly slows the entire system.

As a result, the amount of memory in the computer can have a dramatic effect on how fast the processor operates. Most new computers are equipped with at least 64 megabytes (MB) of memory. This is enough to load most operating systems and run most programs.

Adding memory to a computer typically costs less than $3 per MB, and memory can easily be bought and installed after the purchase.