Adding Ram to computer

My computer is becoming slow? Most of the time adding ram to computer can increase the performance. Several reasons can cause the computer to slowing down.

Software such as graphic design, multimedia, and gaming eat a lot of RAM resources. Computers memories upgrade are simple to perform, but you must know the right memory to install.

• Memory format ( DIMM, SIMM DDR-SDRAM…..)

• Memory speed

• Number of free memory slots on the motherboard

Memory format

The type of memory needed is determined by the type of memory slots, SIMM or DIMM present on the motherboard. Nowadays almost all motherboards are equipped with DIMM slot.

You can obtain this information by looking at the motherboard or in the documentation that comes with the computer or motherboard.

Memory speed

All motherboard documentation specifies the speed rating for a memory upgrade. Don’t be afraid if you see things like PC100, PC133…… the number indicates the speed of the motherboard.

for example:

DDR-SDRAM 100 MHZ corresponds to PC1600
DDR-SDRAM 266MHZ corresponds to PC2100 (also support 133 MHZ)
DDR-SDRAM 300MHZ corresponds to PC2400
DDR-SDRAM 333MHZ corresponds to PC2700
DDR-SDRAM 400MHZ corresponds to PC3200
DDR-SDRAM 433MHZ corresponds to PC3500
DDR-SDRAM 466MHZ corresponds to PC3700
DDR-SDRAM 500MHZ corresponds to PC4000

SDRAM 66MHZ corresponds to PC66
SDRAM 100MHZ corresponds to PC100
SDRAM 133MHZ corresponds to PC133

You can use a memory module that has a faster rating than the motherboard. On the other hand, you should never use memory that is rated slower than the motherboard.

Number of free memory slots

The memory slot is the place on the motherboard where you insert the memory module. Usually motherboards have two, three or four memory slots available. The more slots you have, the more memory module you can install.

Before adding ram to computer, be sure to open the case to see if you have slots available. If there are slots available it’s easy to install additional memory. If not you will have to replace one or all the memory modules with larger memory capacity.

Motherboards have a certain amount of RAM they can handle. Memories always come by multiple of 2 for example (4MB, 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB…). Nowadays the basic computer configuration comes with 256MB of RAM.

before adding ram to computer check out the cheap computers ram guide