Going to add RAMs to my custom computer.... help?

Question

k, i have a custom-made (gaming) computer, it is currently a 512, i wish to make it into a 1.5 gig.. (1) how do i tell what kind of ram chip i have? (all i can see from the see-through casing is something that reads out as "PQ1 or PQI) (2) and since i want to add it by myself, maybe with a help of a friend, how to properly "install" it
k, i think that's all the question nessesary... but maybe i'm missing few valuable question... dunno so feel free to add any wisdom of your own. thank you :D

-i have a decent amount of knowledge of computer "stuff" but any level of help will be thankful-
-also, i kinda wish to do it today and get it over with-
-and please don't give me a short answer and then just link me to sites like www.crucial.com. this is yahoo answer isn't it? :p -

here crucial.com gave me this much information...
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.asp?mfr=VIA+Technologies&postback=Y&id=906B7E5F31D926C3&productline=%28Others%29&submit=Go+to+Step+3

Answer 1

If that scanner is accurate, the best you can do is add another 512mb stick. You want advice? Save your money for a faster more up to date system.

Answer 2

Unplug your computer, take off the side panel, ground yourself, and remove the current stick of memory that you have now. Write down all the numbers that you can see on the label of the memory. Go to newegg.com (don't be in a hurry and save yourself some $$$) and purchase 2 more 512MB sticks, or 1-1GB stick of memory from the same manufacturer if possible. Make certain that the SPEED is identical to what you have now, i.e. PC3200, or PC2700 etc.. Memory is backward compatible to a certain point that means that a PC3200 should work on a PC2700 machine, but I wouldn't bet on that. Your mobo manual should tell you what type of memory is correct for your mobo. Don't touch the gold contacts on the memory stick, and make sure to "ground" yourself before you touch anything inside the computer case. If you have 4 DIMM slots, each pair of two should be colored the same. Two should be of one color and the other two should be of a different color. The original memory stick should be in the #1 slot (the one closest to the CPU). They are numbered then in order from there. If you don't have a manual for the mobo, then there should be one that you can access online from the mobo manufacturer.

Answer 3

Your mnotherboard should have come with a manual. If not and you are not afraid to open the box do this.
1) UNPLUG
2) open box
3) look inside for chips about 3 inches long 1 inch high standing up on the mother board.
4 the chips should have clips holding them in place at each end. pop the clips and pull chip straight out.
5) go to comp store with chip. Find a guy who works there & knows his stuff & ask him about upgrading ram.
6) start at 4 and go backwards

Hope this helps

Answer 4

You generally want to put matching memory modules in. especially in high performance machines. I don't know how often it happens, but I've heard of problems caused by mixing modules from different manufacturers, etc. Some people only buy the memory as matched sets, from the same manufacturer and lot number.

All I would know to do to find out what you have it try to find some identifying information on the memory and look it up. You certainly want to look at what your motherboard will accept before you buy any new.

Answer 5

you need to fnd out the speed of your ram. actually, the easiest way to do this is in the BIOS menu. look thorugh untill you find a menu labeled system specs or similar (it will list cpu type speed, etc.) and look through tha menu untill you find your ram information. it shoudl display what type of ram you have with either a number like this (DDR400) or like this (PC3200). this is the type of ram you need to buy. if this doesnt work, find your motherboard manual and find the compatibility section. in there look for what kind of ram your motherboard is compatible with. a note of advice however. try to stick with the same type (i.e. brand model, etc.) of ram. reason being is that many cpu's will have trouble recognizing your ram if you have ones frpm different manufacurers or types. otherwise, you can do as one of the previous posters said and take your ram stick to a computer store where they will test i and tell you what kind you have. sometimes it also says on the side of the stick itself.

Answer 6

you may desire to correctly known- What form pc that's, what share ram slots it has, How a lot memory (and what style of memory ) it already has, after which with that concepts you may desire to come across memory that's well matched with your device. as quickly as you get to that factor, then that's an hardship-free remember of putting in the memory, and restarting the device. to try this exact, you may desire an anti static strap, grounding protection and know a thank you to place in the memory with a view to not injury it. have you ever opened a working laptop or pc till now, and what else have you ever upgraded? have you ever repaired this device till now?

Answer 7

take your old ram stick with you as there are many kinds avabable when you go purchase one make sure if u are adding memory that you use 512 as they will not mach if u use say a 256 if you do not have two slots you will have to buy a 1gibabite ram

Answer 8

Dear fellow member,

you can try finding out what the motherboard RAM specs it supports are from the motherboard's manufacturer site. From ther you can identify your RAM type you'll need to purchase AND how much MAX ram your motherboard can support.

Kind Regards,
Ben

Answer 9

If your pc has one stick of 512m RAM with an empty slot it will be easy to just get an identical second stick and double your RAM to1gig. Just make sure you get the same kind of RAM.