The more RAM your computer has, the faster it functions.
While most personal computers use real memory in similar ways, different operating systems have a variety of methods for handling virtual memory. Linux uses a "swap space" for virtual memory.
Real Memory
Real memory refers to the random access memory (RAM) installed in your computer. As you run programs and files on your computer, RAM stores the information so it's more readily available. The more RAM that your computer has installed, the faster your computer will run. The data stored in RAM disappears when your computer is turned off.
Virtual Memory
Virtual memory is the space on the hard disk that allows you to expand your computer's memory. This space allows you to create more memory than is physically available from the computer's RAM. Accessing data in RAM is faster than using virtual memory on the disk, so it is a secondary option to having more RAM.
Swap Space in Linux
Linux divides memory usage into chunks, and uses the swap space to store chunks that aren't currently needed. Should stored memory become relevant, Linux will retrieve it from the swap space. This space can be created on the hard disk either as a file or as a partition specifically earmarked for virtual memory.
Tags: your computer, virtual memory, hard disk, Real Memory, swap space, This space, uses swap