Installing memory

[MyrrhLynn]

Hi everyone!

I'm going to be adding some memory to my computer and was wondering if there was anything in particular I should watch out for. I've already checked that it's the right kind and that I won't be going over the limit of the amount of memory my computer can take. I'm also planning on backing up my files before hand, just in case I screw something up.

For actually installing it my computer's manual says to just stick it in the right slot and you are done. Is it really that easy? I can just start it up then and it will work?

[TheMelodyMaker]

This ought to be something I can help with. ^_^

It used to be true in the past that all you had to do was make sure that you had the right kind of physical module -- as in, something that will actually fit into the computer slot (because they came in different sizes) -- but nowadays it's a little different. You'll commonly find that modern RAM modules all look the same, but not only do they hold different amounts of RAM but also operate at different frequencies (speeds). If you get a module operating at a speed which your motherboard doesn't support, you could ruin the module.

So, what you'll want is RAM running at the same speed as what you've already got installed. Usually it'll say right on a little sticker on the RAM chip itself; if not, try to hunt for info about it in the specifications that came with your computer. If memory serves me right (pun not intended... ), the two common types nowadays are 333 MHz and 533 MHz. I could be wrong about that, though.

Hope this long explanation helps you out.

[Icarus]

To condense what MelMak said, if you have checked that it is the right kind (the right speed and so forth) then yes, it is that easy. Just open the case, plug it in, and you're done.

Once you've closed the case.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Are you referring to RAM? It's actually pretty simple! But like what MelMak and Icarus said, make sure you get the correct size and speed. Just open the locks, stick it in firmly, then lock it back. Then boot up your computer. Brand doesn't really matter. Kingston, Crucial, all the same.

Just curious, what size is the one you are getting?

[MyrrhLynn]

Thanks guys for the help! I actually hadn't checked the speed at first (turns out I had the right one anyway) so it was good that I had a chance to check that first. I installed it last night and my computer is definately running faster.

Just curious, what size is the one you are getting?

Size? You mean how much? I added a gig because my computer only originally had 512 meg so it was quite slow. I'm actually debating putting another gig in since its helped my computer's performance quite a bit.

[Eaglestrike]

This might be old advice as it's something I read like 5-6 years ago back when I built some computers, but I was told you should keep the biggest RAM closer to the CPU. I don't know if that actually matters, but if your new RAM is a 1GB stick you should put that in the closest one and the old 1 or 2 in the other slots.

[Mithrandir]

Glad to hear things went smoothly!

[Warrior4Christ]

It's unlikely that 1.5GB -> 2.5GB would make much of a speed increase. Though .5GB -> 1.5GB surely would and did.

[Mithrandir]

That depends on what you do with the machine. Non-linear editing of video could see a jump.