The basic machines on the market have 64 MB of RAM, but 128 MB is becoming the de facto standard. Don't scrimp on RAM, because today's software sucks up this memory, and you'll need as much as possible to work quickly. The more expensive DDR or RD- RAM communicates quicker with the processor but for home users isn't worth the cost. Hoag ended up buying a Gateway, her fourth since 1991. While most home users don't need the raw power Townsend requires, his case shows what features you can get when you buy a Cadillac.
Graphics are the most complex functions that personal computers are called upon to handle.
Townsend, who commutes between New Jersey and North Carolina for his consulting work, knew he needed plenty of RAM to juggle the equations and software tools he uses to create his projects. And for someone like Townsend, who stores massive graphics and animation files that take up lots of space, the hard drive was equally important. The hard drive is a computer's long-term memory and storage center. When you start a program on your computer, it is called up from storage on your hard drive. The need for voluminous hard drives has become crucial.