RAM chips have a maximum memory bandwidth, which decreases as the computer ages due to clock speed. Processor speed and RAM size are factors in the bandwidth equation. Memory bandwidth is important for accessing and using data, and can decrease due to dust, new programs, and background processing.
Computers need memory to store and use data, such as when processing graphics or uploading simple documents. Although random access memory (RAM) chips may claim to offer a specific amount of memory, such as 10 gigabytes (GB), this amount represents the maximum amount of memory that the RAM chip can generate. What’s more important is the memory bandwidth, or how much memory can be used for files per second. As your computer ages, no matter how many RAM chips you have installed, the memory bandwidth will decrease. That’s because part of the bandwidth equation is clock speed, which slows down as your computer ages.
When someone buys a RAM chip, the RAM will indicate that it has a specific amount of memory, such as 10GB. This measurement is not entirely accurate; that means the chip has a maximum memory bandwidth of 10GB but will generally have less bandwidth. This is because RAM size is only one part of the bandwidth equation along with processor speed.
Processor speed refers to the central processing unit (CPU) and how much power it has. CPU speed, also known as clock speed, is measured in hertz values, such as megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). A higher clock speed means your computer is able to access a greater amount of bandwidth. This is the value that will steadily degrade as the computer ages.
To get the real memory bandwidth, you need to use a formula. This formula involves multiplying the RAM chip size in bytes by the current processing speed. If there are additional interfaces or chips, such as two RAM chips, this number is also added to the formula. This is how most hardware companies arrive at their published RAM size.
Memory bandwidth is essential for accessing and using data. As bandwidth decreases, your computer will have difficulty processing or uploading documents. This means that it will take a long time for the computer to be able to work on the files. Many consumers buy new, larger RAM chips to fix this problem, but both the RAM and CPU need to be changed for the computer to run more efficiently.
The reason for the reduction in memory bandwidth varies. One reason is that the CPU often ends up with tiny dust particles that interfere with processing. Another reason is that new programs often require more power and this constant need for extra power starts to burn up the CPU, reducing its overall processing capabilities. Background processing, or viruses hogging memory behind the scenes, also sap CPU power and eat up bandwidth.
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