When your PC slows down, people often talk about a “slow computer.” In many cases, however, this isn't true at all - it's not slow. It's just busy. And in most cases, it's because it doesn't have enough RAM.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the working memory. It stores everything you are currently actively using: programs, files, tabs, emails, previews, sometimes entire video projects. The key point is that RAM is extremely fast – significantly faster than the hard drive. And that's exactly why it's so important.

You can think of it like this

Your computer is a desk. RAM is the surface area. The more you have open at once (Outlook, browser, Excel, Teams, maybe a 100-page PDF...), the fuller it gets.

When space becomes scarce, your system has to constantly rearrange things: taking things off the desk (RAM out), putting them in the drawer (hard drive in), and later bringing them back up again. That costs time. And nerves.