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