Choosing the right RAM for your PC

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installed RAM on PC motherboard

Random Access Memory (RAM) stores memory temporarily for your computer programs to quickly access and use. RAM helps your computer run fast. In Fact apart from the Central Processing Unit, CPU, RAM is the next piece of hardware that helps boost the overall speed of your PC.

Buying good RAM for your PC is as important as the CPU. Even with a good CPU, running your PC on a poor RAM will slow down your PC.

There are many RAMs available, so you must choose the right RAM for your PC. Compatibility is a huge factor, always check that your PC is compatible with the RAM you want to buy before purchasing.

RAMs

The two major pieces of information you should look out for in a RAM is its speed and storage capacity. The higher the speed and storage capacity of the RAM, the better.

Based on the type of PC you have, want to buy or build, There is usually a maximum limit of the RAM it can take. If you are building a PC, check the information that comes with the motherboard. Compatible RAMs and maximum RAM memory is clearly stated. If you bought a prebuilt PC/ laptop, check its user manual.

Most PCs come with 2 slots for installing RAM. The limiting factor is usually the maximum storage capacity of RAM it can handle. See the figure below. 

RAM memory limits for window based PCs

For instance if a PC can only handle a maximum of 8GB RAM, and it comes with 2 slots (which means you can install 2 RAMs), it’s either you install one 8GB RAM on one of the slots or two 4GB RAMs, one on each of the slots.

It is usually better to install the maximum capacity of RAM that your PC can take on one slot rather than sharing it across 2 slots.Your PC will run much faster using the first option.

How the Vacuum Cleaner Works

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Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum Cleaner s are used to suck up dust, debris and even liquid waste from our houses and environment. Vacuum cleaners come in various shapes and sizes. The bigger they are, the more powerful they can suck up dirt.

How Vacuum Cleaners Work

Vacuum Cleaners consists of 3 major components; 

  • The suction hose
  • The collecting bag or bin
  • The air blowing electric motor.
Vacuum Cleaner showing

The electric motor blows air Inside the vacuum cleaner. This creates a vacuum that then forces the dirt up the suction pipe into a collecting bar or container. The collecting bag or filter is porous, enabling air to pass through. If the air flow through the vacuum cleaner is impeded,it won’t properly suck up dirt. Note that as the dirt collecting bag fills up or the filters become clogged, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner reduces. It is best to empty the collecting bag when it is halfway full.

Troubleshooting your vacuum cleaner.

The most common problem of the vacuum cleaner that people often complain about is that it loses suction power. This problem is easy to fix. Remember that when airflow is impeded, the vacuum cleaner loses suction power. The number of ways airflow can be impeded is as follows;

  • The dirt/dust collecting bag is full
  • The vacuum filters are clogged
  • The suction pipe is blocked

Resolving the issue respectively is to empty the dirt/dust collecting bag, clean or replace the clogged filters , through the suction pipe.

Now, if the above remedies do not solve the problem, then the vacuum cleaner needs to be serviced by a qualified personnel.

How to prepare Potato Salad with Mayonnaise

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Potato Salad with Mayonnaise

This type of salad is very easy to make, just boil the potatoes and dress with ingredients.

What you need to make Potatoes Salad with Mayonnaise.

1.5 pounds or 0.7 kg of potatoes.

Salt to taste

Pepper (as you require)

½ cup of finely chopped parsley ( scent leaves)

¼ cup chopped onions

Mayonnaise (to your taste).

How to prepare Potato Salad with Mayonnaise

  1. Peel and wash the potatoes, then put inside a cooking pot, add little salt and boil for about 15 minutes. Make sure not to overcook. After cooking, drain the potatoes, you can use cold water to rinse and drain again.
  2. Put the warm potatoes on a plate and toss it with the chopped parsley,pepper & onions. Next, add mayonnaise, you just add on top of the potatoes or gently mix it with the potatoes.
  3. Serve in its slightly warm state or refrigerate for 4 hours then serve.

Intel or AMD processors. Which one should you buy

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Intel processor

The 2 CPU giants in the PC market are the Intel and AMD processors.

Of the 2 types of CPU makers mentioned above, Intel is the overall market leader in that their processors are widely preferred to that of AMD. Intel produces a wider range of processors and the  faster ones. You will agree with me that core i3, i5,  and i7s are the most sought after processors whether you want to build or buy a PC.

Intel processors are generally more expensive, but they give value for money. 

Does it mean that AMD processors are inferior; Not at all. The PS5 and PS4 video gaming consoles which are still the best sellers in the market run on AMD architecture. If you are on a budget, you should go for AMD processors as they are generally cheaper than their corresponding Intel counterparts.

Units of Data in Increasing Order

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big data storage device

Bit is the smallest unit.

One Nibble = 4 bit.

One Byte = 8 bit.

One Kilobyte (KB) = 1,024 Byte.

One Megabyte (MB)  = 1,024 KB.

One  Gigabyte (GB)  = 1,024 MB.

One Terabyte (TB)  = 1,024 GB.

One Petabyte (PB) = 1,024 TB.

One  Exabyte (EB)  = 1,024 PB.

One Zetabyte (ZB) – 1,024 EB.

One  Yottabyte (YB) – 1,024 ZB.

One Brontebyte (BB) – 1,024 YB.

One Geopbyte – 1,024 BB.

A Geopbyte is the highest storage unit and it does not have any short form.

Types of Insitu tests for density and shear strength of soil

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Types of Tests to obtain the density and shear strength of soils include;

Standard penetration

Vane

Unconfined compression test

Plate bearing test

California bearing ratio test (CBR)

Standard penetration test

This test measures the relative density of the soul. lt is done by driving a 35mm diameter rod into the soil. The number of controlled blows it takes for the rod to be driven to a particular depth is measured and then the result is checked against a standard chart to determine the strength and classification of the soil.

Vane test

Vane test

This test measures the shear strength of soft cohesive soils. The vane is pushed into the soil and rotated by hand. The amount of torque necessary for rotation is measured and then shear strength of the soil is calculated

Unconfined compression test

unconfined compression test equipment

This is a device used to measure the compressive strength of soil.  A soil sample of 76mm long and 38m in diameter is placed in the apparatus under applied loading. The the sample is then sheared under load & shear stress us automatically recorded

Plate bearing test

plate bearing test

This process involves digging a portion of the ground to foundation level. Placing a 600mm by 600 mm steel plate at the bottom and subjecting it to vertical loading. A displacement meter is used to check the displacement of the steel plate into the soil. This is done until the place has sinked in the soil to about 15% of the breadth of the steel plate. The safe load is taken as ⅓ of the load that caused the steel plate to be vertically displaced by 15% of its breadth. Readings are taken every 6 hours and increments to loading are done every 24 hours.

California bearing ratio test (CBR)

The test shows the load penetration of soils relative to that of a standard crushed stone sample. It is stimulated in the laboratory by driving a cylindrical plunger of known cross sectional area  into the soil at a given rate.