How can I find out what is the maximum amount of RAM that I can add to a pc built in 2001?

Question

My computer has Pentium III, 733 MHZ and 128mb RAM. Can I damage computer if I add too much? Thank you for any info you may have to offer!

Answer 1

Check the computer to determine what brand and model the motherboard is. Then check the manual and specs for that motherboard.

Answer 2

First of all, you can't add as much as you want, since there are specified amounts of slots (usually2) to put RAM into. Secondly, it depends on your PC architecture. A PC built in 2001 probably only can be brought up to 1 gig (at most) of RAM.

The RAM won't matter up to a point anyway, since your computer is only 733 MHz and can't get faster than that.

Answer 3

You may read the maximum amount that your motherboard supports on the manual that came with your pc. There isn't any possibility to damage your computer by adding to much RAM, but you have to buy the correct RAM your motherboard works with. Thinking at the generation of pentium III, I suppose your computer may work with DDRAM at 400MHz and the maximum amount may be 2GB of RAM.

Answer 4

at that vintage you will probably have PC133 or at a pinch maybe PC100 (look in your bios, it will tell you there)

you might have 2 memory slots, most probably 3.

I would hazard a guess that each slot would take a max of 128Mb with an old m/c like that.

you can get a NEW base unit (with keyboard and mouse) for $200 and that will be 2800Mhz with 1Gb memory (1 stick) and 40Gb hard disk. (video card will be on motherboard and about 32Mb)

it's not a lot of wonga, and the speed difference will blow your socks off

no you will not damage anything if you put too large a unit in, it will either, just not work, or, default to the max allowable for it's day.

HTH

Answer 5

ok, take out the ram sticks from the motherboard and seem for the BUS p.c., it is going to say some thing like 677 or 800 mhz for DDR2 RAM if the BUS speeds are rather similar or the very similar it may artwork. And certain DDR3 has a a lot swifter bus p.c. than DDR2 yet can only be used on DDR3 nicely appropriate moherboards. each of the BUS p.c. skill is how rapidly it ought to study you RAm and subsequently how sensible that is. So having 1gb of ddr3 ram is like having 2gb of ddr2 and 3gb of ddr ram. good success!

Answer 6

Go to the website of the manufactuerer. Look up the model number and they should have specifications there. Should also tell you what TYPE of memory to purchase (speed, etc.) as you have to have not only the right amount, but the right size, shape and speed.

If you put in the wrong memory (or wrong amount) the PC will not boot. But probably will not damage the PC. You just take it back out.

Answer 7

You will need to either open you case and read the make and model of your motherboard or refer to your original sales paperwork, we'll assume the former.

Once you have the MB make and model, you can google and usually can find the manuals online. In the manual it will clearly state the max. capacity and type\ of RAM required. PIII were usually in 1,2 or rarely 4 GB configs, with an even number of slots, but there were different PIN counts, parity and speeds of memory (as there is now)

The other quick check is to google your BIOS version (This will tell you capacity, but not type)

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Yup, you could damage it. Check with the manufacturer. If you or someone else built it then just fill up all of the slots with 256 MB sticks. But since your computer is that old I'd just buy a new one!

Answer 9

It probably won't take over 512MB. Find out who made the motherboard and then look up the specs on their website. It will tell you the type and max amount of installable RAM. Download this program and run it. It will tell you who made your motherboard and what model it is.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download181.html

Answer 10

a) the manufacturer
b) computer store
c) Motherboard owners manual

You need the right type of ram, certain pin count etc. The above should tell you what you need.