Questions about upgrading RAM

mpic92 · 10-22-2006, 09:59 PM

I'm pretty good with computers but I'm not familiar with upgrading my PC's RAM. I have a HP Desktop with a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor and 512 MB of RAM. I'm interested in upgrading to at least a gig of RAM. What are the steps I would go through to do this? I'm not necessarily asking how to get inside my computer and upgrade it but more like how do I know if a certain stick of RAM is compatible with my computer. Also, do all computers come with two slots of RAM? If so, does that mean I could buy a 512 MB stick and my computer would end up with 1 gig of RAM? That doesn't seem likely but again, I'm not familiar with RAM upgrading.

ETSA · 10-22-2006, 10:30 PM

Well, if you know how to take it out, do so. Then bring it to a computer shop and say you want another one of these, at that time you hand them the memory and wait as they find it. Look at it. Go back home and buy it for half as much online. :-)

PC eye · 10-22-2006, 10:34 PM

The first thing to do is look over the specifications for the system board to see what memory is able to be used. Some information will be needed as to the model number of the HP you are currently running. The user manual for the main board generally explains how to install memory. Different makes and models boards have varying memory capacity with the smallest amount on the newer board being able to run two 1gb dimms.

By looking over the specifications the speed and type of memory will be seen there. If you add 512mb of memory to a system that already has 512mb then you will have a total amount of 1,024mb of memory installed. With boards now having two channels you would have 512mb on each channel if the dual channel mode is enabled.

JzmDjnn · 08-02-2007, 11:33 PM

Ram 101
hope this helps.

Also, do all computers come with two slots of RAM?
no some have more
If so, does that mean I could buy a 512 MB stick and my computer would end up with 1 gig of RAM?
yes

when choosing memory you have to find which ones fit
best to take it out, go to store and ask, then go online

Like ETSA said.
Usualy there is a sticker on the memory with specs.
Like mine is DDR2 PC2-4200 533MHZ
these are the things I look for when searching for compatability with my comp.
theres SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, etc.

I still have a long way to go on learning
but I hope this helps

PC eye · 08-03-2007, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JzmDjnn

Ram 101
hope this helps.

Also, do all computers come with two slots of RAM?
no some have more
If so, does that mean I could buy a 512 MB stick and my computer would end up with 1 gig of RAM?
yes

when choosing memory you have to find which ones fit
best to take it out, go to store and ask, then go online

Like ETSA said.
Usualy there is a sticker on the memory with specs.
Like mine is DDR2 PC2-4200 533MHZ
these are the things I look for when searching for compatability with my comp.
theres SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, etc.

I still have a long way to go on learning
but I hope this helps

Not digging up old 2006 threads will be a better help there.

makmillion · 08-04-2007, 12:16 AM

NewEgg.com Ram Locator

Hope this helps, it helped me when I needed to find the right RAM for my new PC without opening up the case (it was a lazy day for me).

Good luck

10-22-2006, 09:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
mpic92 Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: MA Posts: 176	Questions about upgrading RAM I'm pretty good with computers but I'm not familiar with upgrading my PC's RAM. I have a HP Desktop with a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor and 512 MB of RAM. I'm interested in upgrading to at least a gig of RAM. What are the steps I would go through to do this? I'm not necessarily asking how to get inside my computer and upgrade it but more like how do I know if a certain stick of RAM is compatible with my computer. Also, do all computers come with two slots of RAM? If so, does that mean I could buy a 512 MB stick and my computer would end up with 1 gig of RAM? That doesn't seem likely but again, I'm not familiar with RAM upgrading. __________________ New HP dv9000t Laptop: Genuine Windows XP Professional Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0 GHz) 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050) 512MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600 2.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024MB)

10-22-2006, 10:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
ETSA Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Age: 23 Posts: 2,210	Well, if you know how to take it out, do so. Then bring it to a computer shop and say you want another one of these, at that time you hand them the memory and wait as they find it. Look at it. Go back home and buy it for half as much online. :-) __________________ DESKTOP Antec P180B(4 x 120mm Tricool fans) Antec 500W neoHE Gigabyte GA 965p DS3 E6400 /w Zalman cnps9500 led 92mm (OC'ed to 3.2Ghz) 2 GB Corsair xms2 DDR2 800 @ 920mhz x1900xtx 512mb ddr3 /w Zalman VF900(688/792) Soundblaster Audigy 4 LAPTOP Core 2 Duo T5750(2.00GHz)/4GB ddr2 667/250GB HD/8600M GT

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10-22-2006, 10:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 18,667	The first thing to do is look over the specifications for the system board to see what memory is able to be used. Some information will be needed as to the model number of the HP you are currently running. The user manual for the main board generally explains how to install memory. Different makes and models boards have varying memory capacity with the smallest amount on the newer board being able to run two 1gb dimms. By looking over the specifications the speed and type of memory will be seen there. If you add 512mb of memory to a system that already has 512mb then you will have a total amount of 1,024mb of memory installed. With boards now having two channels you would have 512mb on each channel if the dual channel mode is enabled.

08-02-2007, 11:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
JzmDjnn Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Atomic Portland, OR Posts: 27	Ram 101 hope this helps. Also, do all computers come with two slots of RAM? no some have more If so, does that mean I could buy a 512 MB stick and my computer would end up with 1 gig of RAM? yes when choosing memory you have to find which ones fit best to take it out, go to store and ask, then go online Like ETSA said. Usualy there is a sticker on the memory with specs. Like mine is DDR2 PC2-4200 533MHZ these are the things I look for when searching for compatability with my comp. theres SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, etc. I still have a long way to go on learning but I hope this helps

08-04-2007, 12:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
makmillion Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: ~/.mak/ Posts: 762	NewEgg.com Ram Locator Hope this helps, it helped me when I needed to find the right RAM for my new PC without opening up the case (it was a lazy day for me). Good luck