RAM speeds up your system by providing a faster method of accessing the files necessary to run a program. The more RAM you have, the faster your system will run...to a point...because instead of accessing the Hard Drive for the additional files, it uses the RAM instead. It's much faster.
RAM is also on your Graphics Card, so upgrading your crad to one with more GRAM is very beneficial.
All of this, of course depends on what you can afford.
Assuming you're using XP a good combination is 2gb of RAM on your Motherboard, and as good a Graphics Card with as much GRAM as you can afford.
Some things to consider:
1. Your OS... Is it XP (max 2 gb RAM), Vista (up to 6 gb), or some variety of Linux (even more)?
2. Motherboard... How much RAM will it support, and what type? Check your MB mfr site to get the recommended RAM specs.
3. RAM is available in 1gb and 2gb sticks. Pricing varies dependent on mfr and vendor. Recommended online places would be Best Buy, New Egg, but using a Comparison Site such as ShopZilla is pretty helpful. As a rule, RAM pricing is based per gb, so it's a personal choice whether you want to get it in 1gb or 2gb sticks. Often there is no savings involved. reputable manufacturers are all over the place. Kingston, Corsair are the best known, but there are others out there, too.
I have XP Pro, use 2gb of Corsair RAM, A BFG Nvidia 8800GTS with 1gb GRAM and have no complaints.
There are plenty of good G-Cards out there (Nvidia- and ATI-based) for around 100.00 to 150.00 US that would work VERY well with IL-2.
Goggle away and have fun!
