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Sram Force

Installing a memory module in your computer

Installing a memory module in your computer is fairly simple, as long as you check a few things first.

The first thing you will have to do is shut down the computer, then remove the power cord from the computer. Once you have done that, you can then open the computer case (4 screws at the back normally) and slide the cover off to enable access to the motherboard, where the memory module sockets are. They are usually 2 or more long, multi-contact sockets with white or grey clips at each end. There should already be a memory module in one of the slots, as your computer won't work without memory.

Now, the easiest way to get the right type of memory module for your computer is to take out the one that is in your computer, take it to your local computer shop, and tell them you want the same type. Then all you have to specify is how many megabytes you want the new one to be, and you can then be sure you will get the right thing.

If you want to identify the memory module yourself, then the following guidelines and advice will be helpful.

PHYSICAL CONFIGURATION:

Memory modules come in quite a variety of physical sizes, depending on the age of your computer and the type of motherboard you have. Two of the most important characteristics to check are the number of "pins" or contacts that the module has. Very old computers have 30 pin modules, while newer computers have 168, 182 pin and greater sizes. The second physical characteristic to look for is the number of notches there are inbetween the pins. There are sometimes none, sometimes one and usually two, in newer computers. These notches are used to position the module into it's socket on the computer's motherboard.

TYPES OF MEMORY MODULE AND TERMINOLOGY

Memory modules are commonly referred to as RAM, or Random Access Memory. The various types you can get, from oldest to newest, are DRAM (Dynamic RAM) SRAM (Static RAM) EDO DRAM (Extended Data Out DRAM) SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM) and DDR2 SDRAM (A faster DDR SDRAM).

The older memory modules were known as SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Modules) and the newer modules are DIMMs (Double Inline Memory Modules - which have components and pins on both sides of the module's printed circuit board)

You must make sure that you get the correct type of module for your PC.

BUS SPEED

When you look at a memory module, it may have a label such as DDR400 on it, which means that it is DDR SDRAM which runs at a Bus Speed of 400MHz. You should try and get a memory module with the same bus speed rating. You can sometimes put a slower bus speed rating module in, but then any other faster modules will also be forced to run at the slower speed, which may downgarde your PC's performance slightly.

SINGLES AND PAIRS

Some computers only allow memory modules to work in pairs, so one module or three modules won't work. You will have to check your computer's manual or talk to your dealer about this, or check on the Kingston web site (See below)

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

Computers love RAM. The more you give them, the faster they go. If you are running Windows XP you need about 512MB of RAM to avoid problems, and 4GB is a nice amount to have if you can afford it. Windows Vista needs at least 1GB and will be happier with 4 or 8GB of RAM. If you go bigger than 2GB, just be aware that Windows makes a file on your hard drive, called the paging file, which is at least as big as your RAM, so if you put in 8GB of RAM, you will probably lose about 10GB of Hard drive space.

WANT MORE HELP?

If you want more help, the Kingston web page is excellent. These are the people that manufacture memory modules, and they have memory calculators and utilities to check what kind of memory module your computer will use. You can find them at:

When installing the memory modules, make sure they are the right way around (check the notches line up nicely) and make sure that they clip into position securely with the clips at each end. Hold the modules on the edges, and try not to touch the gold coated pins, to prevent your body static from damaging the electronics.

 

www.kingston.com

Another helpful site is http://www.crucial.com

 

 

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