Question about upgrading RAM on my PC..

Robert09 · 11-07-2009, 04:52 AM

I am experiencing a little slowness with my PC even after Disk Cleanup and Defraging the HD.
I am currently only working with 736mb of RAM. From what I gather this is not very much at all.
So I want to upgrade my RAM to maybe 2gb if possible. But my question is how do I know what type of RAM to get that will work with my PC?
Is there a way to check without taking it apart?

I also want to do the same with my other PC which only has 256mb RAM. That PC is a Dell Dimensions 3000.
As far as this PC, I am not sure what kind of PC it is as there is no label indicating the make or model.

If you need any other info that would be necessary to determine my RAM specs, please ask.

Your help is appreciated.

Slacker7 · 11-07-2009, 05:29 AM

Go to www.crucial.com and let their free memory scan do its job. This is completely safe and it is free. You must allow them to install an Active X. As I said, it is safe. Many people who build systems use it including myself. I just upgraded an old system that had only 256megs of memory earlier this week and replaced it with two one gig sticks. Needless to say the load times are much faster.

When the Crucial memory scan is done it will tell you a) amount of current RAM installed and B) the amount and type of RAM your system is designed for.

* Then go to NewEgg and buy it cheaper.

I have found that Kingston and Crucial are excellent choices for older systems.

**The_Other_One** · 11-07-2009, 05:33 AM

I'd strongly advise against that site. While it works fine with general information, you'd be much better off to simply research waht your motherboard is and what it supports... If it's a name brand computer, there should be information on their website. If it's home built, something like CPUz or PC Wizard would tell you what you need to know. Once you know the model, check out what the manufactures specs are. Most manuals will show what amounts and combinations of RAM are supported.

The reason I'm against these free memory scan deals is because they can be rather inaccurate. I know someone who was trying to upgrade an old laptop some time ago and used something like that to get the correct RAM. It used SD RAM and suggested a 256MB PC133 stick. The computer refused to boot with it because it was not PC100 (it would POST saying the computer would only accept RAM at PC100 speeds...)

Slacker7 · 11-07-2009, 05:43 AM

I and many others use that scan without any issues whatsoever over many builds and upgrades. But this is not to say that problems cannot occur (and obviously have).

However, you are fully correct in researching via motherboard manual, website, and the utilities you mentioned. Though I do have an issue right now with CPU-Z rating a matching pair of sticks at different timings and speed though the BIOS reads both according to manufacturer specs except voltage at 2.6 when they are designed for 2.5 which CPU-Z reads correctly!

11-07-2009, 04:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Robert09 New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14	Question about upgrading RAM on my PC.. I am experiencing a little slowness with my PC even after Disk Cleanup and Defraging the HD. I am currently only working with 736mb of RAM. From what I gather this is not very much at all. So I want to upgrade my RAM to maybe 2gb if possible. But my question is how do I know what type of RAM to get that will work with my PC? Is there a way to check without taking it apart? I also want to do the same with my other PC which only has 256mb RAM. That PC is a Dell Dimensions 3000. As far as this PC, I am not sure what kind of PC it is as there is no label indicating the make or model. If you need any other info that would be necessary to determine my RAM specs, please ask. Your help is appreciated.

11-07-2009, 05:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 25 Posts: 13,406	I'd strongly advise against that site. While it works fine with general information, you'd be much better off to simply research waht your motherboard is and what it supports... If it's a name brand computer, there should be information on their website. If it's home built, something like CPUz or PC Wizard would tell you what you need to know. Once you know the model, check out what the manufactures specs are. Most manuals will show what amounts and combinations of RAM are supported. The reason I'm against these free memory scan deals is because they can be rather inaccurate. I know someone who was trying to upgrade an old laptop some time ago and used something like that to get the correct RAM. It used SD RAM and suggested a 256MB PC133 stick. The computer refused to boot with it because it was not PC100 (it would POST saying the computer would only accept RAM at PC100 speeds...) __________________ Primary- i7 920 \| 6GB RAM \| 9800GT \| 160+160+500GB Secondary- Athlon X2 4200 \| 2GB RAM \| 7600GT \| 80+250GB Netbook - Atom N280 \| 2GB RAM \| GMA945\| 160GB

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11-07-2009, 05:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Slacker7 Silver Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 153	Go to www.crucial.com and let their free memory scan do its job. This is completely safe and it is free. You must allow them to install an Active X. As I said, it is safe. Many people who build systems use it including myself. I just upgraded an old system that had only 256megs of memory earlier this week and replaced it with two one gig sticks. Needless to say the load times are much faster. When the Crucial memory scan is done it will tell you a) amount of current RAM installed and B) the amount and type of RAM your system is designed for. * Then go to NewEgg and buy it cheaper. I have found that Kingston and Crucial are excellent choices for older systems.

11-07-2009, 05:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Slacker7 Silver Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 153	I and many others use that scan without any issues whatsoever over many builds and upgrades. But this is not to say that problems cannot occur (and obviously have). However, you are fully correct in researching via motherboard manual, website, and the utilities you mentioned. Though I do have an issue right now with CPU-Z rating a matching pair of sticks at different timings and speed though the BIOS reads both according to manufacturer specs except voltage at 2.6 when they are designed for 2.5 which CPU-Z reads correctly!