Speed Up Your Computer WITH MEMORY
Q. The most popular way people speed up their computer is with RAM. What is RAM?
A. RAM is Random Access Memory. It is the part of the computer that processes information. When a program is started it is loaded into RAM to be run. The more RAM you have, the faster your computer processes information.
Q. How much RAM do I really need?
A. The answer really depends on how much and for what your system is used. Upgrading is easy and cost effective. RAM is used every time you open an application, download, play a game or simply turn on your computer. Additionally if you work with or plan to work with digital audio and video more ram is a necessity.
• Basic User
If you are spending more time surfing the internet, sending and receiving email, and doing word processing along with other applications, you can get by with 256MB, but would benefit from going to 512MB.
• Professional / Feel the need for Speed!
If you are running multiple business applications, want to play the newer video games and/or work with graphics, you can get by with 512MB, but your computer speed would benefit greatly by having 1GB.
• Advanced Professional
If you work with high-end graphics, CAD software, digital images, or video, you can get by with 1GB, but would benefit greatly by installing 2GB of memory or more.
• Graphics Design Professional
If you are, or plan to be, a professional graphics designer, use CAD or modeling software, digital images or video, you can get by with 2GB, but would benefit from going to more than this amount.
• Gamer
Buy as much as your system will handle. Max out your computer if you’re going to play games on it most of the time, because high-end games take up a lot of memory. Visit our Computer Buyer’s Guide for more info on recommended specs.
Q. How do I add RAM to my computer?
A. Turn off your computer. Inside your computer is one or more slots (usually black) that contain memory chips. Most computers ship with only one filled. To add RAM to the computer you need to find out what kind of RAM (Random Access
Memory) you computer takes. The manual that came with your computer's motherboard should have details on what kind of RAM you will need, how much RAM each slot can take and how many slots your computer has. If not, click here. When you receive the upgrade chips they simply snap into the slots on the motherboard.
Q. How do I tell how much RAM my system has already?
A. In Windows, click your START button (bottom left) and click Settings, then Control Panel (In XP, click START then Control Panel). Then click the System icon and look at the info listed on the General tab. The amount of RAM in your system will be listed there in MBs. Or you can download our Memory Configurator (link) tool which will tell you much you currently have, the maximum amount your system will hold, and the type you need to buy. 
Q. What kind of RAM do I need?
A. There are many types of RAM: EDO, FPM, SDRAM SODIMM, RAMBUS and more. Your manual or manufacturer should be able to explain what kind of RAM you have and need. If you have a brand name computer a quick way to figure out what RAM you need is to use our RAM FINDER.
Q. How much RAM can I put in my computer?
A. Every computer has a different maximum amount of RAM you can install. Each motherboard (the big circuit board in your computer) has different a maximum. There are a couple of ways you can figure out how much RAM your motherboard can hold. If you still have a manual that came with your computer, there should be information found in there that shows how many RAM slots are on your motherboard, how much memory each slot can take and what the maximum amount of RAM your system can use.
