I just bought a new computer, Compaq Presario with the new Microsoft Vista. It has 512mb and I have some old memory from my old computer. I have two 256mb, can I install them to make the computer faster?
I don't understand how memory/RAM works. What can I do to make my computer faster?
2007-01-31 16:13:38 · 7 answers · asked by Geoff 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
Chances are your old memory is totally incompatible with your new computer. Your best bet is to go to your manufacturers website and find out how many slots you have and exactly what type and go buy new ram.
2007-01-31 16:25:03 · answer #1 · answered by mazaker2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Best place to start is with your owners manual....
I'm assuming this is a laptop based on it being a presario. Compaq, Dell and most of the Brand names will only have 2 slots for RAM so check you manual for how many slots you have...
If there was only 2 slots, most manufactures will fill both of them up to take advantage of the dual channeling of RAM. So you many have 2 X 256MB chips. Which means you have no room for any more.
If this is the case, if you desire 1 GB RAM, you'll need to ditch the 2 x 256's and get 2 x 512's
If you do have extra slots....again check your owners manual to what RAM will work in your laptop....Then identify what those other chips are....Usually the old PC owners manual will identify the ram or there will be marking on the chips.
The liklyhood is slim that they will match but check it out you may get lucky..
I am assuming that the old PC is a laptop too. RAM chips from Desktops do not fit in laptops...if it's a desktop don't even bother to check...
Anywho...hope this helps
2007-02-01 00:41:12 · answer #2 · answered by oneliteranight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love how pc manufactures design some of their systems. I just worked on an almost new Dell computer loaded with Windows XP and 128 Megs of Ram. This is how it came. 512 Meg for Vista doesn't sound like enough. If you have empty RAM slots you can add more but there are different types of RAM. You have to make sure that your two 256 MB sticks are the same type of RAM. Even if they are they still might cause more problems than they can solve. RAM chips are built with different levels of quality. Plus their clock speed might be different as well. If they are at least the same kind of RAM and you have extra slots go ahead and try them out.
2007-02-01 00:22:08 · answer #3 · answered by tedead 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. Your motherboard must at least be able to hold RAM memory of up to 2 GB.
A computer's processor can work faster than 7200rpm hard disk can provide it with dataand that's why they give you a RAM memory so it can provide the most-often-used data while a program is running, but the processor can work even faster than the RAM can provide it with data and that's why they have installed primary and secondary cache memories.
A RAM card with a higher memory bandwidth, a hard disk with a higher rpm, a processor with a higher clock speed or a dual core processor works when you want to speed it up.
Good Luck
P.S. Oh yeah, I nearly forgot the fact that your old RAM chips are probably incompatible with your mainboard but don't give up.
2007-02-01 00:28:01 · answer #4 · answered by Combo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To run Vista decently - you need a gig of RAM. I would imagine that the memory of your new laptop is different than the old memory you have. You can't mix different memory speeds. Some of the old stuff might be PC 2100 or something. Check your book - see what kind of memory you are running - order it online.
2007-02-01 00:20:10 · answer #5 · answered by sosguy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it depend on howmany memory slots your motherboard has. remember 2x256 is better than 1x512.
2007-02-01 00:18:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i doubt it .. the old ram is probably a different type .. ddr400 or somthing .. the new stuff is prolly ddr2 ... getting at least another 512 should help out ... getting a faster harddrive or raid settup will help even more ...
2007-02-01 00:18:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, you cant add it to your new CPU, because its not posibble to combine your 256Mb and 512Mb.
RAM handled opened files such video, image, sound, etc.
Buy a 1 or 2 Giga RAM may resonable.
2007-02-01 00:20:06 · answer #8 · answered by maxiangelo 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋