| Upgrading the memory in your computer or laptop is | | | | need the most RAM -up to 2GB or more of RAM. |
| one of theeasiest and most cost-effective ways of | | | | Please note, installing a faster speed RAM (as noted |
| improving your computer'sperformance. Still many | | | | earlier) will notincrease the speed of your computer or |
| computer owners shy away from any | | | | laptop. The only way to increasethe speed of your |
| memoryupgrade for a number of reasons: lack of | | | | computer is to increase the AMOUNT of RAM you |
| knowledge, warranty issues,fear of ruining their | | | | havein your system. Going from 256MB of RAM to |
| computers, compatibility concerns, or just aninnate | | | | 512MB of RAM will speed upyour computer. Going to |
| feeling that the inside of their computer is just some | | | | 2GB of RAM will make it go even faster. |
| alienterritory they must never venture. | | | | Benchmarktesting has shown that you can get from |
| Like a lot of things in life, a computer memory upgrade | | | | 28% up to 43% increase inperformance, depending on |
| seemsmore complicated than it actually is. Most of the | | | | the amount of RAM increase. |
| apprehensioncomes from a lack of knowledge. Let's | | | | However, there's always a spoiler, other parts of your |
| face it, the average computeruser may only have a | | | | computer must beable to handle this increase. Your |
| vague idea about RAM, Motherboards, Graphics | | | | computer will only go as fast as yourslowest link. In |
| Cards and the like. | | | | other words, you may have to upgrade other |
| They know their computer works when they turn it on | | | | elements inyour computer to receive the benefits of a |
| and that's allthat really matters to them. However, | | | | memory upgrade. Make sure youcheck this factor first |
| what most people don't realize isthat with a little | | | | before your make your memory upgrade. |
| investment of time and a few dollars, they can | | | | Otherwise,you may just be wasting your time and |
| maketheir computer work better and faster. It's an | | | | money. |
| investment that willquickly pay for itself; not only will | | | | Another consideration is the Memory of your Video or |
| you save time when doing yourdaily computer chores, | | | | Graphics Cardin your system. The amount of VRAM |
| but the overall enjoyment of your computer orlaptop | | | | is the major factor in your display'sresolution and color |
| will greatly increase. | | | | depth. A faster and more powerful upgrade in your |
| It's best to tackle this problem or task with some good | | | | Graphics Card will give you increased performance |
| informationconcerning all the factors involved in the | | | | especially for handlinggraphics and videos, as in 3D |
| upgrading of your computer'smemory. Let's start with | | | | Gaming. |
| the basics and work from there. | | | | Fourth Step - Ordering Your RAM |
| Get Out Of Jail Free Card! | | | | There are over 110,000 different memory upgrades |
| (*Shortcut! Don't have the time or desire to read all the | | | | you can choose from! |
| 'ins andouts' of a RAM or memory upgrade but still | | | | There are many places to order your RAM, from your |
| want to upgrade yoursystem. Go to the author's | | | | local computer storeto online sites. If you're ordering |
| resource box below and click the link. | | | | online, one the most highly ratedsites is - these people |
| It will take you to a page where you can find a | | | | are memory experts and know theirmemory! They |
| Memory Advisor toolwhich can scan your system and | | | | are a part of Micron, one of the largest DRAM |
| tell you which memory upgrades arepossible with your | | | | makersin the world. |
| particular computer or laptop.) | | | | Perhaps, what's more important, Crucial has very high |
| First Step - Know Your RAM | | | | consumersatisfaction ratings from other third party |
| RAM or random access memory. This is what the | | | | rating sites. This givesyou an unbiased |
| computer uses to runapplications and data on your | | | | recommendation or indication that the service |
| computer. You need it to run yourcomputer's OS | | | | andproduct is top-notch. Even more important, they |
| operating system, your need it for handling | | | | have the |
| graphics,files, web-browsing, e-mail and multi-tasking. | | | | Crucial Memory Advisor (TM) tool which will scan your |
| RAM is vital to theoperation of your computer. As a | | | | computer systemand tell you what memory upgrades |
| general rule, the higher the amountof RAM you have - | | | | are available. They also backup their products with a |
| the faster your computer will work or run. | | | | lifetime warranty. |
| To complicate things somewhat, there are many types | | | | Some other thing to keep in mind when ordering your |
| of RAM. The typeof RAM in your computer or laptop | | | | RAM. Many desktopsystems or computers use what's |
| may depend on the year it wasmade. | | | | called "non-parity" memory whichmeans it does not |
| From mid-2004 a lot of the computers have DDR2 | | | | need ECC (error correction code) or "parity"modules. |
| (double data rate,second generation) SDRAM | | | | Registered, buffered, and unbuffered are other terms |
| (Synchronous Dynamic RAM). Before that timemany | | | | thatwill come up - they refer to how a certain memory |
| computers had DDR (double data rate, first generation) | | | | moduleprocesses signals. Usually, most PC systems |
| SDRAM. | | | | take unbuffered |
| Most older systems use SDR (single data rate) | | | | RAM and rely on the motherboard controller to help |
| SDRAM, fast page mode | | | | processmemory. Registered RAM is used mostly in |
| (FPM), or extended data out (EDO). | | | | servers. |
| To complicate things even further, most of the types | | | | Fifth Step - Installing Your New Memory or RAM |
| of RAM comesin different speeds! | | | | If you order your RAM online, you will receive your |
| DDR2 SDRAM - is a new standard that can boost | | | | RAM module inan anti-static bag, along with detailed |
| conventional SDRAMmemory up to speeds well over | | | | instructions on how to installyour RAM. On modern |
| 200MHz and beyond. For example, thenew IBM | | | | system boards, RAM is installed on SIMM or |
| ThinkPad T43, thanks to the Sonoma Chipset or | | | | DIMMmodules (SODIMM in notebooks). |
| platform has | | | | One of the most important things to do when installing |
| 533MHz DDR 2 SDRAM. | | | | RAM or workingwith your Computer is to 'Ground |
| This is much better than standard SDRAM which tops | | | | Yourself' to make sure youdon't 'Shock' your computer |
| out around 150-166MHzand DDR SDRAM which starts | | | | with static electricity. You can takesome simple |
| at 200MHz and goes up to around 400MHz. | | | | precautions to prevent this from happening. If you |
| Keep in mind, DRAM means Dynamic Random | | | | havewrist straps designed to prevent shocks, you |
| Access Memory and SDRAM means | | | | need to wear them. |
| Synchronous Dynamic RAM. | | | | If you don't have wrist straps, here's a simple way |
| And to really confuse you, having a faster RAM | | | | toground yourself: |
| speed does not (by itself)make your computer go | | | | You should turn off your computer, monitor, plus all |
| faster, you must upgrade or increase the AMOUNT of | | | | accessories |
| RAM in your computer system to increase | | | | (speakers, printer, scanner). Unplug your computer and |
| performance. Also keep in mindyour computer was | | | | anyaccessories. Then quickly touch an unpainted part |
| made to accept a specific memory speed and there's | | | | of your computercase and keep your feet planted in |
| nobenefit from going beyond that limit. | | | | one position while installingyour RAM. If you walk |
| It's usually recommended that you get the fastest | | | | around, repeat the process above before youtouch |
| speeds for yoursystem, this will permit for better | | | | any internal parts of your laptop or computer. |
| compatibility and make it easierfor future upgrades. | | | | Open up the back of your computer or laptop. |
| Second Step - Know Your Machine | | | | Depending on your model,you may need a |
| Without a doubt, compatibility is the most important | | | | screwdriver. If you have a laptop or notebook, the |
| factor inbuying a memory upgrade for your laptop or | | | | memoryslots are sometimes located under the |
| computer. It's essentialthat any upgrade be compatible | | | | keyboards. Most times, it's in theback of your laptop - |
| with your computer or machine, i.e.otherwise it just | | | | check your manual for the location of your |
| won't work. | | | | laptop'smemory. |
| Therefore, you have to know the amount and kind of | | | | Depending on your upgrade, you may have to replace |
| RAM you havein your computer or laptop. The best | | | | your RAM module withthe New one, in other cases, |
| way to find this is to checkyour owner's manual. It | | | | you will be adding any extra module ortwo. Follow the |
| should tell you the type of RAM your systemis using, it | | | | specific directions that come with your RAM upgrade |
| should also tell you the maximum amount of RAM | | | | - installing the RAM is only a matter of a Push and a |
| yoursystem can take. | | | | snap! Your RAMupgrade will snap into their memory |
| Obviously, an easy way to make sure you don't | | | | slots without too much difficulty. |
| exceed the maximummemory on your computer, just | | | | Before you close the case, turn your computer or |
| subtract your current memory fromthe allowed limit | | | | laptop on to see ifyour new RAM is installed. You will |
| listed in your system specifications. For instance,if your | | | | see it on the startup screens oryou can easily check it |
| computer takes a maximum of 512MB of RAM and | | | | by going into 'My Computer' under properties |
| you have 256MBinstalled - then you can upgrade to an | | | | - if you're using Windows. |
| additional 256MB of RAM | | | | Basically, this is how to do your own computer or |
| (512MB - 256MB = 256MB). | | | | laptop memoryupgrade. There may be other elements |
| You should also be aware that DDR is not backward | | | | or aspects you might wantto check out before |
| forward-compatible,which means that if you're | | | | installing your new RAM but follow the guidelinesabove |
| upgrading a computer that doesn't have | | | | and the detailed instructions that come with your RAM |
| DDR technology, it won't take a DDR upgrade. | | | | module ormodules and you should be OK. |
| Likewise, DDR2 is not backward-compatible, which | | | | If you have any trouble, click the link in the resource |
| means if your systemdoesn't have DDR2 technology, | | | | box below. Theyhave extensive detailed guides that |
| it won't accept a DDR2 upgrade. | | | | you can follow. If may be a goodidea to check out |
| So check your system very carefully and see what | | | | these guides first, before you order your memory, |
| kind of RAM it has andthe maximum amount of RAM | | | | tosee the kind of procedure you will have to do to |
| it will take. You must also check to see ifyour | | | | install your RAM. |
| computer's warranty will be null and void if you install | | | | Realizing how simple this procedure is may relieve |
| the RAMyourself! Some manufacturers actually seal | | | | some of your initialfears concerning a memory |
| your computer case and youmust have an authorized | | | | upgrade for your system. |
| technician to install your RAM. | | | | This site also has 'live' help where you can chat to |
| Third Step - How Much RAM Do You Need? | | | | Expert Memory |
| It's generally agreed that you need at least 256MB for | | | | Technicians if you are still having problems. |
| Windows XP and | | | | For more information on a computer or laptop memory |
| Mac OS X. You will only need 128MB for other | | | | upgrade Click Here: |
| operating systems in Windowsor Mac. Most general | | | | Laptop Memory Upgrade Get a few Free Internet |
| office work and heavy multi-tasking may need 512MB | | | | Marketing Tools. Titus Hoskins Copyright © 2006. |
| of | | | | This article may be freely distributed if this resource |
| RAM. Gamers or Professional Graphic workers usually | | | | box stays attached. |