

In a situation with a memory leak, RAM gets allocated to the software but is not freed up when no longer needed. When software no longer needs the RAM resource, it is then “returned,” so that it can be reallocated to the next program when needed. With the computer functioning normally, RAM gets used by software in a dynamic fashion, and memory resources are allocated as needed. This is known as a memory leak, and it happens when software fails to manage the available RAM correctly. However, despite having adequate RAM and not running resource-intensive software, there can be another situation where all available RAM gets used and performance degrades. The solution to this issue is to install more RAM, and/or have the computer run fewer programs simultaneously. The most obvious is simultaneously running multiple memory-hogging applications-4K video editing software, or a ridiculously large number of tabs open in a browser-that use up all available memory resources. One rule of thumb is to figure out how much you really need, and then buy twice as much, to be certain you’ve always got enough.ĭespite having this overabundance of RAM in modern computer systems, there can still be situations where the system runs out of memory. So the recommendation is to have plenty of RAM installed, with "the more RAM, the better" being the mantra. All of this shuttling of data back and forth between RAM and the slower virtual memory has a negative impact on performance, as you might guess.

This creates virtual memory, which then allows the computer to continue its task.

This is because when the computer is running low (or out) of available RAM, it performs a process called “paging,” in which it swaps out data that’s in RAM to the storage drive. A shortage of memory on a desktop will grind the system to a performance halt. Our computer systems have large amounts of RAM at their disposal, all to avoid running low on this all-important resource.
