Changing RAM?

Question

I have bought additional RAM (512) for my PC and want to maximise installation benefits. The PC has two memory slots should I just take out the old RAM and replace it with the new or can I just add the new RAM to the empty slot so that I have 256 plus the new 512 giving 768. If I do the latter will it cause configuration problems?

Answer 1

As long as they are the same frequency just add the RAM to the empty slot.
If the new RAM is higher frequency, then the 256 will slow the new RAM down, so in this case remove the older RAM.
RAM will only run as fast as the slowest chip installed. For example if you have one stick of PC2700/333MHz and one stick of PC3200/400MHz then all RAM installed would run at the PC2700 speed.

Answer 2

It really depends on the age of the computer. Just about any computer that is older then 5 years old needed to have matching Ram Modules installed to work. That is if there was a 256 module in slot one then you had to put a 256 module in slot 2 or there would be problems.

Nowadays this is not the case, but do make sure the Ram speeds are the same or you could cause problems.

Answer 3

Memory is usually an easy one. Here's how to do it, step by step.

Note that the procedure is only slightly different on computers using older RAM (72 pin EDO type). Usually these machines are 233 MHz or less.

1. Check the manual that came with your computer to find out how much memory your particular machine can upgrade to. It won't do any good to buy a gigabyte of RAM and then find out that your computer will only upgrade to 512 megabytes.

If you don't have your manual or you've lost it (like me, I lose everything but weight) do a search on the Internet. You can get the specifics for any computer through the computer manufacturer's web site.

2. To work on a computer, you must first ground yourself, (static electricity is murder to the components in a computer.) The easiest way to ground yourself is to touch the metal part of your computer. (That's why they put the metal there :-)

Unplug your computer - you can just unplug the power cord from back of the computer if that's easier.

Take off the case cover (This is another area where your computer's instruction manual would help. Note that the cover should come off easily. If you're stuck and find yourself thinking about using a hammer to remove it, you may be doing it wrong.)

If you don't have any open memory slots in your computer you'll need to remove an old chip before you install a new one. To do so, just push the clamps off memory chip that is in there, (the chip will almost fall out in your hand.)



3. Now we install the new one. Hold chip by the two side edges and line up notches. The chip will only go in one way because of these notches.



4. Push firmly on the edge of the chip to insert it in the slot, (the book says push gently, but I have found out that gently doesn't work. It has to be firm pressure; please do not tap with hammer or anything, just push it in.) If possible, try to put your hand on the opposite side of the mother board for additional support. If you push memory in and the board bends too much, you could cause tiny fractures in your motherboard.



5. The way to tell if you have it in all the way is the clamps will pop into place in the slots on the side of the chip and lock in.




6. Put the cover back on the computer, plug it in, and power it on. Right-click the My Computer icon. Under the general tab it will show you the total amount of memory.

7. If it doesn't show the true amount of memory you just installed, go through steps 2 through 6 and check to make sure the chip is in the slot properly. Once in a great while a chip will get in crooked but not very often.

8. Turn the computer back on and check the general tab on system properties. It should say the right amount of ram now.

Answer 4

I recommend you that if your 256 memory is working well just add the 512 memory so you have the 768 in RAM. I have done ot many times and it works well.

Answer 5

If you have an empty RAM slot go ahead and fill it up. But you should make sure first that you bought the correct type of RAm and same speed as the others already in the system. For example PC133 300mhz RAM should not be mixed with PC3200. If you take one of the other RAm sticks out you can usually tell what kind it is.

Good Luck

Answer 6

Yes, you should install both RAM chips to get max. amount of memory in your system. Install 512 MB chip in first slot and 256 MB chip in second slot.

If you motherboard supports dual channel then you should install two RAM chips in two different slots to get maximum benefits - these are generally of two different colors. e.g. in my desktop computer I have 4 slots - 1 2 3 4. 1 & 2 are white color 3 & 4 are blue color. So, I have two 1 GB RAM chips in slots 1 &3.

Note: Read your motherboard manual.

Answer 7

well it depends on how much ram your motherboard supports.but mostly it should support atlest 1gb so adding the ram is not a problem.but if your mother board doesent support more than 512mb ram the best option is to remove the 256 onee and and add the 512 cause even if u put both of them together they probebly wont function correctly.but i would sujest adding them together since then the ram size increases

Answer 8

yes u can there should be no problem. be sure when u restart your pc to go to system and see if u actually have 768. you shoul be good to go!!!

Answer 9

should be able to just add it to what you already have.