How do you find out what kind of RAM to buy to upgrade your computer?

Question

There is on old computer I need to upgrade and add more RAM to it (it's a PIII about 6 years old ).

1. How do I find out exactly what type of RAM to buy (number of pins, PC100? PC133? etc etc etc...)? I heard there's some programs which can find out what RAM your computer uses, can you name some or post some links to such programs?

2. The computer currently has 2 X 128 MB memories, can I add 1 more 128MB or do I need to add a pair of 128 MB memories? Can I add a single strip of 256 MB?

3. Do all memory strips need to be exactly the same in specs? (I heard some people even recommend same brand for all!?)

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi there

Go to www.crucial.com, click on a button a little way down the page that says "scan your system". This will tell you the capacity of each of your RAM chips and what type they are. It doesn't seem to tell you the speed though.

You may be able to add a third 128 MB without adding anything else to the fourth slot, but you may need to add a fourth one. If the RAM doesn't have to be installed in pairs, you should be able to add a 256 MB chip. Depending on what operating system you are running, i.e windows 98, there may not be any point in upgrading your RAM. It may be beneficial to upgrade your RAM if you are running windows xp.

Same brand memory is probably better as their abilities will be matched. It is advised to install memory which is the same speed as your system will run at the speed of the slower memory chip.

Hope this helps.

Scott

Answer 2

1. Here is a good program: http://www.cpuid.org/download/pcw2006_v170.exe
2. Well it depends how many memory banks you have, if you only have two then you will need to take the old out and put bigger in there place, if you have 4 then you can just add. On memory this old you can have it in any configuration you want, 3x 128 or 2x128 plus 1x256, whatever you want.
3. No not exactly, just make sure they're the same speed, brand doesn't matter.

Answer 3

You need to find out what kind of motherboard you have, then you can find out what type of memory it takes and how many slots you have. If you can't find a label on the board then try downloading AIDA from this site

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

it will you give you a full system inventory.

Try going to the website of the make of computer you have, they may still have specs available for you.

Yes, it is usually best to stick with the same brand RAM chips but not always necessary and yes they all have to be the size (regardless of manufacturer).

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

it dont relatively topic what style it is only make certain you get just like the ceremony dimension to suit your motherboard socket and should you getting 512mb you must get two of the sticks of ram due to the fact that 512mb wont get you a lot more pace or a lot more reminiscence i imply it is going to exhibit a diference however simply maintain the historical ram and placed within the new ram wish i helped

Answer 5

CPU-Z will tell you what you have installed currently, see link. If it were me, I'd rethink spending money on that rig. The funds may be put towards better use to get a new PC. Even a $300 rig will vastly outperform that one.

Answer 6

its easy really, goto your windows screen (full of icons) and right click the -my computer- or similar then properties - there should be around 9 folders like hardware performance and so on, one of them should tell your system info

Answer 7

go to http://crucial.com and use their tools to determine what kind and how much memory your computer uses.