Upgrading your memory is typically the easiest and least expensive way to upgrade your computer for a significant boost in performance. The computer's RAM memory is its workspace, or where all of the instructions it needs to act on are stored temporarily. A computer with more RAM can work more efficiently because it does not need to retrieve information from the hard disk drive as often. A memory upgrade is particularly helpful for users who work with large files, have more than one program open at one time, or use memory-intensive applications such as games or graphics and video editing software. The more processing you require your computer to perform, however, the more RAM you'll need. If you use your desktop for work in a home office and you often use several different types of programs simultaneously, including e-mail, Web surfing, word processing, spread sheets and software for presentations and illustrations, you desktop will probably require the upper end, maybe even as much as 1 GB of RAM. Serious gamers who use up a lot of graphics power need between 1 and 2 GB of RAM, while professionals who use a lot of 3-D modelling software should probably have 2 GB or more. There are several signs indicating it may be time to upgrade your memory. If you see your mouse pointer turn into an hourglass for significant periods of time, if you hear your hard drive working, or if your computer seems to work more slowly than you expect, the reason is probably insufficient memory. When physical memory is insufficient, the system uses Hard Disk Space as memory. This is called "Virtual Memory". Since access time of Physical memory is in tens of Nanoseconds and Access time of Hard Disk is in Milliseconds, the system slows down considerably. Once you are ready with the required amount of RAM needed for your Computer Memory Upgrade, follow the below steps for performing the memory upgrade- 1. Switch off your desktop PC and disconnect power cables from the mains. 2. Remove PC casing for the Central processing unit (CPU). 3. Check the motherboard for memory cards slot. If you want to upgrade and there is no empty slot you will have to remove the smaller memory card to create room for another card. To remove the card on both ends there are clipper switches which once you press them both will release the memory card. 4. Make sure that the memory clippers are open and that the memory card is correctly aligned with the slot. At this time press the memory card making sure that the clippers lock on the clipper gap on the sides of the memory card. 5. Replace the computer casing and then connect the PC to the mains. 6. Switch on the PC and if everything has been done correctly the BIOS will show you that new hardware has been installed and you will have to save the new options at which time the PC automatically reboots and you have upgraded your computer memory.