ClearChoice IT Services Knowledge Base

If your computer is running more sluggish than it did when you first bought it, one of the things that might help is a memory upgrade.  But a lot of people don't understand that adding memory to a system might not help at all if you're not even fully utilizing what you already have.

So how do you tell?  It's pretty simple, really:

1. While logged into Windows, press the CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys on your keyboard.  This will open the Windows Task Manager.
2. Click the Performance tab.
3. Write down your "Physical Memory --> Total" figure.  This is how much memory your system has installed.
4. Now subtract from that the "Commit Charge --> Peak" figure.  This is the maximum memory you've used since your last reboot.
5. How much are you over or under?  Let your computer guy know.
6. Bonus:  Take note of your "Commit Charge --> Total" figure.  This is how much memory you're using right now.

Generally, if your Peak usage is well above the total of physical memory you have installed, then adding more memory to your computer will help it seem more zippy.  Sidenote:  If you think your system is running slow right now, but your current Total commit charge usage is less than your Total physical memory figure, then the slowness you're experiencing is probably not memory related.


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