I just installed 512 MB of RAM into a laptop replacing a 256 MB stick. I wanted to replace the other 256 MB stick with another 512 to bring the computer up to 1 GB of ram, but it was very difficult to get to the other DIMM slot. Because of this, I just left the other 256 along with the new 512 bringing the RAM up to 768 MB. Will this harm my computer at all or am I helping by giving it more RAM?
2006-07-18 05:38:44 · 12 answers · asked by Kyle Z 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Your matching of the latency times is an important factor for the speed your cpu will let your computer compute the times at. When your RAM communicates with you CPU it does so at a set timing. Go into your BIOS and find your RAM timings. Most RAM is either CAS Latency 2, 2.5, 3, or 4. You will have the option to set your CAS latency in your bios once you find it there. The lower the CAS latency, the faster your RAM does the communication with your CPU. Your RAM, after all, is holding the information your are commanding it to for the processor to eventually process. As far as setting your RAM timings to suit your computers hardware, you may start dialing up your MB's specs on the mfg's. website. Or looking up you RAM's spec and start there. You get into you BIOS by restarting your computer and tapping down on the DELETE KEY or the F1 or F2 key depending on which one works.
2006-07-18 05:48:01 · answer #1 · answered by midi_junkie 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Older systems needed RAM in pairs. Today's computers do not have that requirement. Your increase of the 512M of RAM will help your computer. If you can get to the other 256 to replace it then you will be that much better. Otherwise it will run fine with the 768 that you have installed.
2006-07-18 12:43:37 · answer #2 · answered by Taztug 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it shouldn't hurt if your laptop is capable of handling that much RAM. you can go online to the address of your computer manufacturer and pull up the specs for your particular computer. You can find out what the maximum RAM is.
In the meantime, leaving the RAM cards where they are will not hurt. Just remember, if you don't think you can replace the cards safely, don't do it. You don't want to risk cracking the motherboard or breaking the DIMM slots. You can probably get tech support from your ISP.
good luck
2006-07-18 12:44:06 · answer #3 · answered by Big Perm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Additional RAM will definitely help. You don't need to install the same RAM in both SPOT, but the higher the RAM, the better the speed of you computer. Be sure to check what the maximum RAM your motherboard can handle as well. Most can handle up to 2 GB.
2006-07-18 12:45:08 · answer #4 · answered by sacrificial_fiat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet is to consult your manual, it should have memory installation instructions.
Some laptop require pairs some do not.
Some have only 1 ram expansion slot anyways, if you want 1 gig, I'd check to make sure the system can support the chip then follow the recommendations. Its likely that you won't damage anything but it simply won't recognize the memory properly.
2006-07-18 12:45:42 · answer #5 · answered by Archer Christifori 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know, they don't need to be installed in pairs. Sure it helps, any RAM is good RAM, but not required. The computer will be fine, in fact, quite a bit better than before.
2006-07-18 12:42:52 · answer #6 · answered by Ian M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Today's RAM does not have to be installed in pairs. You're fine.
On some desktop PCs you will get better performance by using pairs of the same RAM in dual channel configuration, but in this case you're fine.
2006-07-18 12:39:44 · answer #7 · answered by Sir J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it will harm your computer, today's RAM can be installed with any size. My Dell laptop is running 768MB, there's no problem since the day I bought my upgrade.
2006-07-18 13:44:22 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the new ram is probably faster lower latency, i would try again to replace the second stick. it will work with 768 but it will work better with 1028
2006-07-18 12:44:21 · answer #9 · answered by johnman142 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only certain machines require it to be installed in pairs. You should check the specs on your particular motherboard to be certain. Usually if the machine requires memory be installed in pairs it will not turn on or startup properly if you try to do otherwise.
2006-07-18 12:42:48 · answer #10 · answered by Speedo Inspector 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋