RAM stands for Random-Access-Memory. This is where opened programs go when you put your computer to sleep, RAM takes files from the Hard Drive and puts them in a more easily accessible place for the rest of the computer to read and access. A typical and healthy amount of RAM that one would want in their office computer is 4 - 8 GBs. This will ensure that you have what you need plus a little extra to keep the computer from feeling too sluggish.