2006

BOOT CAMP ARCHIVE 2006

BOOT CAMP 410 (07/02/06)

Upgrading your PCs memory, part 2

Following on from last week’s introduction to PC Random Access Memory or RAM in part 2 we are going to be looking at how to work out how much and what sort of memory your PC uses, which you will need to know in order to carry out an upgrade.

Now if this is all starting to sound a bit complicated don’t worry, it’s actually very easy, but at some point you will have to remove the lid of your computer and poke around inside so if you don’t fancy the idea your PC’s manufacturer or your local computer engineer will be only to happy to do the job for you.

If want to save some money and have a go at doing it yourself but prefer to keep things as simple as possible then go straight to this week’s Top Tip.

If you are still with us then I am guessing that your PC was not on the list or you are feeling confident in your ability to wield a screwdriver, so now the first job is to gather a few pieces of information and when it comes to upgrading computer memory the three most important things are type, size and speed

We looked at the common types of memory module last week and on most Windows XP desktop PCs made within the last 3 or 4 years it’s likely to be in the form of DDR SDRAM DIMMs (see part 1 or the Jargon Filter below for a translation…).

Size in this instance is the amount of extra memory you need for the upgrade. For example, if you currently have 512 megabytes (512Mb) of RAM and you want to make XP run more smoothly by increasing this to 1 gigabyte (1Gb) then obviously you need an additional 512Mb, but it’s not quite as straightforward as it seems. If your existing 512Mb RAM is made up of two 256Mb modules, and you only have two memory sockets on your motherboard then you will have to discard the current modules (better still, sell them on ebay) and replace them with two 512Mb modules, or one 1Gb module. In fact most recent desktop PC motherboards have a ‘bank’ of four memory sockets but it’s important to check.

RAM speed has become horribly convoluted in the last few years but it all comes down to matching the 3 or 4-digit ‘PC’ number on the memory module with the requirements of your motherboard. Current DDR SDRAM speed ratings are typically PC1600, PC2100, PC2700, PC3200 or PC4000. Normally you should use the fastest memory that your motherboard supports but if you are adding a module then it must be the same speed as the existing memory modules.

For a quick and dirty summary of your PC’s current ‘physical’ memory status press Winkey + Break and this will bring up the System Properties menu. At the bottom, on the right hand side (on the General tab) it should show how much memory your PC has, in megabytes of RAM.

This may be slightly less than you expect. For example if you are fairly sure that your PC has 512Mb RAM System Properties may report only 448Mb, which suggests that 64Mb has somehow gone missing. Don’t worry, Windows hasn’t got its sums wrong and there’s nothing wrong with your memory module; the wayward 64Mb has almost certainly been commandeered by your PC’s video adaptor, which is integrated into the motherboard.

Unfortunately System Properties doesn’t tell you anything about memory type, speed, how many memory modules you are using or how many empty memory sockets there are on the motherboard. For that kind of detailed information you’ll have to open up your PC and make a visual check and possibly remove a module to verify the speed rating, though you may find the latter listed on your PC’s original order form; sometimes PC makers put it, along with other useful information, on a sticker on the back of the case or on the chassis. Hopefully it won’t be necessary to remove a module but if that’s the only way you can check the speed see part 3, which deals with RAM module removal and insertion.

If you know the speed and only need to check how many modules are installed and how many vacant sockets there are the only precautions you need to take are to switch off and disconnect the PC’s mains plug. Once you have removed the lid -- and try to do this in a well it area, or use a torch -- locate the banks of memory sockets and make a note of how many modules have been installed.

Finally check your motherboard or owner’s manual, which will have details of memory type and speed, maximum capacity and the number of sockets. You should also read the section concerning memory configuration, which sets out the various speed and size permutations. You should now have enough information to be able to order your new memory module and in part 3 we’ll look at how to fit them and check everything is working properly.

NEXT WEEK - Upgrading your PC’s memory, part 3

JARGON FILTER

BANK

A group of identical sockets intended for a single purpose -- i.e. for holding PC memory modules

DDR SDRAM

Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory

DIMM

Dual In-Line Memory Module

TOP TIP

If your PC is a fairly recent model and was made by one of the major manufacturers simply pop along to a major memory vendor’s website, like Crucial or Kingston, and use their memory Advisor and Search tools to locate your model. This will then tell you how much and what sort of memory you need, a few clicks later and the necessary modules will be winging their way to you. Don’t forget there are hundreds of simple tweaks in the Top Tips Archive.