Noob guide to ugrading memory, (RAM) in your computer, XP and VISTA.

Introduction...

This guide is to help the hundreds of buyers I speak to every week, who are looking to improve the performance of their PCs in the quickest, cheapest and easiest possible way. The simple answer is to install/replace your computers memory, more commonly known as RAM.

Quick explanation...

RAM, 'random access memory' is used by your PC as a stopgap between the computers processor, (CPU) and the computers harddrive when processing information. RAM can be written too and read from, much faster than a harddrive ever could. So by increasing the size of the RAM you reduce the need for data to be written onto the harddrive, (a pagefile) and it speeds everything up.

Find out what you have already...

This is critical. There are many types: SIMMs, DIMMS, DDR, different speeds, and other variable. If you add incompatible RAM, things are not going to work well, if at all. You REALLY need a manual, or email the technical support folks for your motherboard manufacturer.

If your struggling to find out what motherboard your using as you've not got the manual to hand, you can use a program called CPU-Z, (You will need to google this as ebay doesn't allow off site links, but it's easy to find.) Once you have downloaded this program, run it and click the 'Mainboard' tab to find out information about your motherboard.

How much do I need?...

Well this really depends on two things. Firstly on how much you currently have in the PC. Basically you want an even number of sticks of RAM for optimal performance. So if you have 1 stick get another the same size, if you have 3 sticks it may be better to replace them all with 2 larger sized sticks of RAM.

As for overall amount of RAM, it depends on your OS, (operating system)-

XP- min 256mb, best 1gb
Vista- min 512mb, best 2gb

Costs...

RAM is VERY cheap at the moment for a number of reasons we don't really need to go into here. 2X1GB sticks of quality RAM is going to cost you less than £40, ($70) and this should be more than enough for most home users. So I'd be inclined to say buy as much as you can as you can never have too much RAM!

Installation...

At each end of the RAM slot you will find a plastic lever. Press these levers down to eject RAM from the slot or to get the slot ready to receive new RAM. The RAM sticks are keyed so that they can only be inserted one way. Match the keys in the slot on the board with the notches in your RAM. You will not accidentally insert the RAM backward. Press down on the RAM stick carefully, but firmly. If you meet significant resistance and the little levers at the ends do not start to move up, turn the stick around and try again. Be careful that you do not push down on anything except the RAM stick. If the RAM still will not click into place, stop. Something is wrong. Someone may have sold you the wrong kind of RAM. Call technical support wherever you bought the RAM, and describe the problem.

In conclusion...

There are only a couple of steps to giving your computer that new burst of life that it's been needing.
- Find the ype RAM you need
- Work out how much you have and how much you need
- Installation