How to determine the amount of memory a program requires

When you are buying a program, it is a good idea to check how much computer memory (RAM (Random-Access Memory)) the program needs to run. The system requirements are found on the software packaging, or if you're buying online should be listed in the System Requirements section. The picture shows the Windows 7 requirements found on the packaging.

Minimum memory required

The minimum memory required is how much memory your computer must have, at a minimum, to run the program. If your computer does not have that amount of memory available, you must upgrade your computer with more memory to accommodate the new program. The example shows that 1 GB of RAM is needed for the 32-bit version of Windows and 2 GB of RAM for the 64-bit version.

Recommended memory

The recommended memory is the amount of memory that is best to have to run the program at its best, most efficient performance level. If your computer doesn't have the recommended memory amount, but does have the minimum memory amount, you're okay to use the program. However, if you want the program to run at peak performance, we recommend you upgrade your computer with more memory.