hi, i have a Pentium 4 processor speed of 2.2GHZ. I have 256mb of ram. Do i have to have another 256mb of RAM or can i have 512mb ram? and also do i just fit it in or do i need to install or configure my PC? any help is appreciated, thanks
I don't know the rest of your PC specs, but IMHO, I would definitely add another 256 mb. Maybe even make it an even 1 gig. It all depends on what you're going to be using your PC for. If you're a gamer, definitely the more RAM the better (along with a decent video card). If you want to be able to back up dvd's, you definitely need another stick (256mb). If you like to multi-task, you'll see the difference in how fast your proggies run. Also, if you have an older PC and can't afford to buy a new one or even upgrade, adding RAM to your existing set up is a way of breathing life into it. Good Luck!
You first need to know what is the max that your mobo can take. There will be no appreciable difference in performance if you choose 2 256MB as opposed to a single 512MB. The cost of the 512MB will be cheaper per MB but personally I prefer 2 256MB chips just in case one decides to fry at least I have one still functional. This is more gut feeling than science. Not all RAM chips are the same and cheaper off the market ones ones though more attractively priced may not be as good as say one from www.Crucial.com.(No,I am not affiliated with this company, just in case you were wondering). You should know that doubling your RAM does not equate with doubling your computer's performance. It also depends on your other hardware components (processor, video card, HDD etc)and whether or not you are running RAM intensive software. So no point in maxing out your RAM if there is going to be a bottle-neck with some other hardware component. You should probably look into either cleaning up & defragging your HDD of reformatting your HDD and reinstalling your OS and programs which are not RAM intensive. Win XP works faily well with 256MB and above. Having said all of that, doubling your RAM should reward you with a significant increase in performance of the tasks that you are already running. [bold]Installing the new RAM Chip/Memory Module[/bold] (1) Remember to ground out yourself( touching something metallic to earth yourself) before going in the box. Hold the chip as little as possible preferably at the side where the clips hold it in place. (2) To remove your 'old' RAM, just locate where your existing RAM is and gently pry the 2 clips at the side of the chip away from the chip. They are hinged below and and so swing in and out. The chip will be elevated and pops out as you do this. (3) Place the new chip between these 2 clips and apply gentle pressure until it snaps into place and is snuggly held at the sides by the clips. Once the RAM chip is securely in place the clips at the sides will snuggly fit onto to and you shouldn't have to press in the clips. One secure way of doing this is to squeeze your index fingers on the sides of the clips while simultaneously pressing down on the RAM chip with your thumbs. That way you not only apply downward pressure but also apply pressure from both sides to securely clip the RAM chip into place. (4) If you are installing say a 256MB and a 128MB RAM chip in the same computer put the one with the larger memory in slot 1(in the case the 256MB chip) (5) Just reboot and you are up and running. If you want to see your handy work click on Start->All Programs->accessories->system tools->system information and scroll down to look at Total physical memory.
check the mobo manual to see if it support 266mhz/333mhz/400mhz or does it support dual channel. if it support dual channel then put another identical 256mb in. if not then just go with the 512mb. the more the faster it goes...if u decide to go with the 512mb then u have to put the 512 in the first slot then the 256 second.
why do I need to put the 512 in the firt slot I read alot on this topic because I just upgraded the ram on both my computers and Every thing I read(About 4 differnt threads from differnt sites) said it dont matter. If you know something I dont no please share. Its not a big deal but If the higher MB works better in the first slot I need to change my setup around Thank you
I wouldn't think that it would matter much, but I would think that if it's faster than it should be there. If you've bought your computer within the last year, then I think DDR PC3200 (400MHz) of a size of about 512MB and up would be a good investment for your computer. What does matter is if you have 2 RAM sticks and your motherboard requires you to place them in a specific order, if you don't it may not work properly or at all. Buying 1GB of RAM in 2x512MB sticks is a pretty good idea for running XP. It may not be enough for the newest games though, try going for more like 1.5GB and up for that.
