Things we cannot do without (but thought we could before).

Technology is moving fast and while we obviously cannot do without the net now with every television show advertising it’s website address there are a few things that right now you think you don’t need. For example, when reading online about the newest games all that comes to mind is what new processor or graphics card model you must have from the system specs. The thing not mentioned in most cases is the RAM.

While a system requirements list can tell you that there must be 2GB of RAM in your system to run this game they don’t mention just how fast your memory sticks should be. What’s also not mentioned is how if you buy some cheap and slow memory it doesn’t matter how much money you just spent on a graphics card the memory will slow down your framerate without even letting you know.

One recommendation for speedy ram is the XMS2 6400DHX from Corsair. It’s seriously fast DDR2 memory so that it wont give a bottleneck in your performance numbers. Even helping allow run Crysis in High or Ultra High graphics settings with less stuttering due to loading. While we thought that just having the right amount of RAM was enough a few years ago now you have to pay attention to brand name and type, sometimes a bit too much detail for the casual PC user to care about without a recommendation.

Portable video players are another area. Before the iPod came around nobody cared about portable video and MP3 players but now they are a status icon. While the PR might lead you to believe that iPod’s are the best thing out there some cheaper and better alternatives are around. SanDisk, while better known for memory cards have a line of cheap audio and video players that can match or even beat their Apple rivals. The Sansa View for example is better than an iPod Nano with more audio and video features plus expandable storage capacity though memory cards. The only downside though by using products other than those by Apple is that almost all are not compatible with iTunes purchases so they are useless unless playing backup tracks from CD or bought via another website.

We used to think that both video players and speedy memory were only for a few people but now they are essentials. It begs the question what will be next in the constant technology war making us need more USB plugs than power sockets to recharge players.