[megaSTEPxo]

I am thinking of upgrading my RAM on my desktop since it's always a bit laggy whenever I open several applications at once.

My current one is 256MB.

I was browsing at the local computer store's price list for RAMs and they have three different kinds: DDRII, DDR, SDR. Can anyone tell me what are the difference and how do I know which one is situable for my desktop? I am thinking of upgrading it to 512MB.

Thanks in advance.

[DaRkViEt73]

you need to know what the brand and model of your motherboard is in order to know for sure what you need. And you need to know how many ram slots you have total vs how many are free. You can find out all this info by opening up the side of your computer case and look inside. It could also be helpful to tell us what CPU you have as well.

If you bought a retail computer like a Compaq, HP or E-Machines... then maybe just telling us the brand & model # of the computer itself would be enough. Cuz the ram info probably could be found online just from that alone.

[EDIT] Better yet, try going to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Information then tell us what the "System Manufacturer", "System Model" and the "Processor" information says. We can probably figure out what ram you need based on that information.

[megaSTEPxo]

Hi,

I purchased my computer from a family friend who assembled it.. but anyhoos, this is the info I screen capped since I don't think I have my boxes anymore.

[DaRkViEt73]

You've got an Asus P4B266-C motherboard. The board uses DDR-266 aka PC2100 DDR memory. The last step is determining if you have any free RAM slots available above. As you can see in the picture, you've got two ram slots. You need to open your PC case and look inside to see if both slots are filled or if there's a free slot available. If both slots are filled, then you must take at least one ram chip out to make room for a bigger capacity ram chip. In that case, each stick of ram is most likely 128mb a piece. You'll have to decide how much ram you wanna have total then depending on whether you wanna replace just one or both sticks of ram. If, however, you DO have a free slot then simply go buy another 256mb of DDR266/PC2100 DDR ram and install it.

[awdark]

Why just 256mb? Just get any DDR. Not ddr2, not sdram though DDR sdram is okay, not Sodimm (thats for laptops)...
You can probably get a stick of 512 DDR 3200 or 2700 for about $35 now.

[DaRkViEt73]

^ Cuz he/she already got 256mb installed. If it's a single stick of ram, then buying another 256mb stick would be 512mb total. Plenty of memory for the average computer user.

[awdark]

Harder to find 256mb sticks though... =\ I use 512 idling.. hahah =_="

[mangujowa]

^should I do something about my uber low 512 mb DDR ram?

[Adionik]

^should I do something about my uber low 512 mb DDR ram?

Yes, get another half gig.

DDR is going up. It's pissing me off. A gig used to be 66.99 on the egg. Now it's 79.99. Stupid AM2 and Intel.

[CK92842]

Also a note to those purchasing new sticks of memory, be sure to test it after purchase. I ran a 3 hour test on memtest86+ and figured it was good enough. Little did I know, it turned out that my 1GBX2 sticks of memory were bad modules. So a 7-hour test which should be done overnight is a good way to go. RMA'ed it to newegg and should expect some replacement Platinum sticks soon.

http://www.memtest.org/

[mangujowa]

^huh?. How do you test it?

[awdark]

You burn the memtest 86 as a bootable CD or a boot floppy. It will run and just scan your ram for errors. Good for overclocking... get to see if you pushed it beyond its limits.

[CK92842]

^huh?. How do you test it?

Let me make this alittle easier to understand to those beginners...

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Download the file which reads, Download - Pre-Compiled package for Floppy (DOS - Win)

Once that is done, extract the file to your desktop or anywhere you will be able to locate it. Then insert a blank floppy disk, and click on the file which was extracted from the .zip file. It'll automatically write files to the floppy disk. Once that is completed click OK and restart your computer with the floppy disk inserted and it will run a series of tests. Testing takes as long as you like, I had my memory sticks tested for 20hrs and one error came up and sent it back to OCZ. It would be wise to let this test run overnight, dedicate enough time to test your memory. I would say after that after 7hrs, if no errors show up on screen then it's deemed okay.

[nevets1219]

One pass through all the test isn't enough to guarantee that everything is OK ? I ran that a while ago but I just assumed if it went through all the test once everything is good to GO...

[CK92842]

One pass through all the test isn't enough to guarantee that everything is OK ? I ran that a while ago but I just assumed if it went through all the test once everything is good to GO...

I wouldn't count on it, as I mentioned I ran a test for 20 or so hours. Well during the 6-7hr, the program found an error. Let it run overnight, and see what turns up. It'll be well worth it, especially if your warranty is limited.

[nevets1219]

OK, guess I'll leave it running tomorrow to see.