How to Change (upgrade) Your Computer Memory

Many people spend hundreds of dollars getting technicians to do simple upgrades that they could quite easily do themselves. One of these upgrades is RAM or Random Access Memory. People will pay upwards of $100.00 an hour for a memory upgrade. It takes on average 2-3 minutes to change a stick of memory. The stores have people convinced that there is something complicated and technical about this upgrade so they bill them their minimum 1 hr fee (90-100 dollars).

Memory helps the general speed and functioning of your system as a whole. For multitasking, opening large programs, and switching from one task to another, an ample amount of RAM is essential. Above is a picture of the type of RAM that anyone who has a Pentium 4 uses. It is called DDR RAM. DDR stands for Double Data Rate. This reflects the frequency that the data is stored and processed in this memory module. This RAM comes in sticks of 128mb, 256mb, 512mb, 1gig and sometimes 2gig sticks.

To remove this RAM one simply pushes down on the plastic tabs that hold the RAM stick in place. Changing amounts of RAM to a higher amount will speed up the operations of your computer. You will notice a notch on the bottom (gold colored edge) and it is this notch that you line up with the raised edge on the slot where the RAM fits into. You CANNOT put this RAM in backwards. The notch is not in the exact center of the stick of RAM and you can line up the notch with no fear of putting the stick in backwards. When lined up with the RAM slots on the motherboard all it takes is a gentle push until the plastic clasps that hold the RAM in place at each end click up (you will hear the click distinctively). Voila, a stick of RAM is changed and you've saved a hundred bucks.

Another type of RAM that you may want to upgrade to a larger amount is SD RAM. SD stands for Synchronous Dynamic. This type of RAM comes in sizes that are smaller that DDR RAM .It is not widely manufactured anymore but it is found in these amounts: 64mb, 128mb, 256mb and 512mb. It is an older style of RAM that was used in the manufacturing of Pentium 2 a nd Pentium 3 computers. The insertion of this RAM is exactly like that of DDR. You push down the plastic tabs found on the end of the stick to release the RAM. You line up the two notches with the edges found along the slot were the RAM is seated when replacing a new stick. It is also virtually impossible to put this RAM in backward or upside-down or any other way than it should go.

The computer industry tries its best to tell you that you are in danger if you do so (stores want your business and money). If you look closely at these RAM sticks the notches are quite pronounced and if you remember that the gold colored parts are the bottom of the stick, it will be a walk in the park when you do it yourself.

A little knowledge goes a long way and in the case of upgrading your RAM, it gives you some hands on experience with your own system and also saves you quite a bit of money.

If you're not sure how much RAM you are running now, simply go to your computer on your desktop; right click on it to get the properties tab up. Click the tab and it will display the total amount of RAM you are running. You can also be brave and open up your computer and pop a stick of RAM out. The amount of memory is always printed on the plastic on the side of the stick of RAM. Either way it's always best to know in case of system slowdowns. It may be a RAM issue if you are running Macro-Media Programs and are only running 256mb of RAM. Your programs will respond at a crawl. Always be in the know.