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Memory Upgrade
Upgrading your memory is the most cost-effective upgrade you can make to your computer. Buying another motherboard and processor isn't practical for most people, and, in fact, you will not notice any substantial difference in solely upgrading your processor and motherboard. Instead, you need more RAM!! (Random Access Memory )
The first thing you should determine before purchasing RAM is how many memory slots you have and what type it is. Before you quit reading here, there are software programs that can tell you what type of RAM you have and how many slots you have, without opening your computer case.
First, download a program I also use later in this site to explain your PC's performance, SiSoft Sandra. Now, here's how you determine how many memory slots your motherboard has.
Install and open up SiSoft. After doing this, click on the circled icon, 'Mainboard Information'.
Scroll down a little bit, and you'll see 'Number of memory slots'. My PC happens to have 3; most PCs have 3 nowadays, but some still have 2.
Next, if you want to match up the speed of your memory to the speed of your old memory, scroll down a bit further until you see 'Speed' beneath the 'Memory Module' heading (note, there will be multiple 'Memory Module' headings if you have more than 1 memory chip in your PC).
Note that matching up the speed of your old memory to your new memory is not necessary. Remember:
- DDR2-400 (aka PC2-3200), with a bus speed of 200 MHz
- DDR2-533 (aka PC2-4200), with a bus speed of 266 MHz
- DDR2-667 (aka PC2-5300), with a bus speed of 333 MHz
- DDR2-800 (aka PC2-6400), with a bus speed of 400 MHz
You can discover your FSB speed with this program as well. Look back at the first image from the program, particularly at the orange-circled number. That's the FSB.
Here's a link to a very reputable memory manufacturer, Crucial Technology. They have solid deals on memory, and a very simple method of finding what memory you need
(Don't know who made your motherboard? Scroll back up to the first picture and take note of the Chipset/Model. That's it). Check 'em out!
The Crucial Memory AdvisorSelect your motherboard brand and press go!
After you've bought your memory, continue on to the steps below!!
1) Turn off your computer and unplug it from the wall (a key step!)
.
2) Open up your case.
Simply unscrew the screws that are circled so you can access your motherboard.
3) Locate the memory slots on your motherboard.
Simply locate the area encircled in the picture to the right.
4) Look on the motherboard for an indication similar to the one on the right (here it's 'DIMM1').
For certain types of motherboards, it matters a great deal in which number slot memory is installed in. Install the memory first in slot 1, then slot 2, and so on.
If you plan on filling them all up, however, this is inconsequential.
5) Flip up the white tabs pictured in the prior step and pull out any memory you want to take out (Note: you do not have to take out memory if you are installing new memory -- take out memory only when you replace it with faster memory).
6) Take your new memory, align it with the memory slot, and push on one end, then the other.
You will know that the memory is installed correctly when the white tabs snap back down, locking the memory in place.
7) Now simply close the case back up, plug the power cord back into your computer, and turn it on. The BIOS may take a few seconds to recognize the new memory. You're done!
Next: Upgrading Your Current Hard Drive
2004-2007, Matt Totten. All Rights Reserved.
