RAM question: How much can my computer take?

Question

I have an eMachines computer that is four years old and when I looked up what it comes with for memory, it comes with 256MB DDR (PC2100). I've seen some alarming things on answers and I was wondering if that number is the total capacity of my computer or if I could add a memory stick of 512MB or even a 1GB card to increase performance? I saw some people who said that you need to check if your computer can handle the RAM, but I don't know how to do that and I'm pretty sure when it says it has 256MB it just means it came with that much because it says 40GB hard drive but I update that to 80 a couple of years back.

Also, when I look up RAM cards on bestbuy it has both DDR and DDR2. Does it matter if it's DDR2?

Answer 1

Go to www.crucial.com , enter your comp model (you find on right-click "my computer", then press properties) and it will tell you everything.

Answer 2

As long as you are sure it is only four years old, the maximum RAM it may be able to handle is 2GB. If you only bought it four years ago, but it is a six year old computer, for example, may only hold 1GB. I have a three year old eMachines that can handle 2GB. Looking back at my eMachines 366c (1999?) could only handle 256MB.

Answer 3

4 year old PC ? no chance of DDR2,
If youhave 256MB, I would imagine that you could pop in another 256MB at least. How much max it can take depends on your model and motherboard.

Answer 4

Go to www.crucial.com and let them scan your system and it will tell you what speed and size you have and what the max you can load your computer with size and speed. Very helpful little tool...Thanks and Good Luck

Answer 5

If you are using Win XP, 1Gb would be optimum and your PC is most likely capable of supporting that much. 2x512Mb would be best if your motherboard supports dual channel memory mode.