What type of RAM will my motherboard take?

Question

Hey,

I need some more RAM. I heard online that certain motherboards can only take a certain amount of RAM. How can I find out what type of RAM mine takes? Thanks.

Answer 1

There a number of ways to find the information you need. You could open the case and jot down the make and model of your RAM modules. If you are not comfortable opening your computer then I have 2 recommendations. You can go to Crucial's website (http://www.crucial.com/). Crucial is one of the leading RAM makers. On their website, you have the choice of entering the make and model of your computer and Crucial will display the type of RAM used. Or, you can have Crucial scan your computer and identify the RAM used. My second recommendation is to download and install a tool like Lavalys's Everest Home Edition, which can scan and display all the parts which make up your computer (i.e. cpu, motherbroad, ram, graphic card, monitor...etc.). Everest isn't the only tool; you can use CPU-Z which does pretty much the same thing as Everest. The download links are:

1. Everest http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Everest_Home/1086844970/1

2. CPU-Z
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/CPUZ/966149377/1

Answer 2

Most motherboards these days use DDR RAM (single notch in the chip), older motherboards use SD-RAM (two notches in the chip, one in the middle, one on one side), and the newer boards are using DDR2 (like the DDR, only longer). Most of these can be interchanged, the faster chips should operate at slower speeds, if the motherboard does not support the higher speeds. the best thing to do is to find a spec sheet on your motherboard to check. These sheets can be found at the manufacturer website.

Answer 3

Get the year, make and model # from your PC.
Go to staples.com
On the right side, there should be a tab for "Memory Wizard" OR "Product Matchmaker" Click on either one of those.
It will ask the make (HP, Compaq, Dell, etc) & then the model # (HP Pav 3000, Dell Int. 4000, etc.)
Then it will tell you which RAM you take and the max for that PC.

All else fails, call STaples and talk to someone in electronics- they can help =)

If its an older PC, prob takes PC133. If its newer, maybe DDR.....brand new would be a DDR2

But call or go online. =)
Good LUck!

Answer 4

It's documented in the manual of the board.
If you don't have that (anymore) you can
open the case. Brand and type of board
should be stamped onto the board. Then
you can look it up or download a manual
from the manufacturers webpage.

Answer 5

Download program CPUZ
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
You will need Winzip to open it, see http://www.winzip.com/index.htm (free evaluation version)
Extract CPUZ files to a folder of your choice, then run cpuz.exe. Look at the "SPD" tab - the Max Bandwidth has your type of RAM (e.g. mine is PC3200). Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Go-to: http://www.4allmemory.com
They can do a LIVE test online to see EXACTLY what you need for free! :)

Answer 7

http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?pid=309&kwd=cheap%20ram