Your Guide to Installing Memory *Update P4 and DDR Athlon*
Jul 06 '00 (Updated Mar 21 '01)
The Bottom Line You can never get enough RAM, so read this article to find out how to add more into your computer.
I've actually written a two part article on my website about installing memory. I've tried to put them both together here.
Before you shove that memory module down your memory slot, you need to know what kind of memory you'll be installing into your system. Depending on what kind of system you have, the type of memory you purchase will be different. Here is a list of types of systems and the types of RAM I recommend along with explanations of why.
Pentium Class (including Cyrix 6x86, AMD K6, etc.)
There is one very important thing that you must be aware of when upgrading the memory on this type of system. This is that you cannot simply purchase one memory module, shove it in its slot, and expect it to work. With this kind of system, the memory modules work in pairs; they are unable to work individually. For example if you wish to add sixteen megabytes of RAM, you have to purchase two eight megabyte modules. Now class, what does an eight megabyte module and another eight megabyte module make? Sixteen megabytes! So it would be wise to check if you have two open memory slots. Furthermore, you cannot randomly select which slot you shove the RAM in. The memory modules must be adjacent to each other; slot one works with slot two, slot three works with slot four, slot five works with six, etc. As another note, you cannot start off adding them to two and three, four and five, six and seven, etc. It must go one and two, three and four, five and six, etc. Now that I have explained a very important thing, I recommend that you purchase EDO RAM (enhanced data output RAM). You will find them in different speeds ranging from 70 nanoseconds to 60ns. The smaller the number in nanoseconds, the faster your memory is.
There is another thing that must be considered for more modern motherboards, especially the super socket 7 designs for Cyrix MII and AMD K6-2 chips. You will see that you have another type of memory slot, much longer than the traditional SIMM (single inline memory module). This is a DIMM slot (dual inline memory module). The type of RAM that you can insert into these slots performs a lot better than traditional EDO RAM. Also, you do not have to pair two memory modules to upgrade your system. You can simply buy one module and shove down the slot. If you decide to go with this route, I recommend purchasing PC100 SDRAM. The super socket 7 design supports a 100mhz bus, so you might as well take advantage of it with PC100 RAM.
Pentium II and Celeron
Like the super socket 7 motherboards, Pentium II and Celeron motherboards feature DIMM slots. Thus, you do not have to worry about pairing memory modules. The Deschutes class Pentium II features a 100mhz front side bus, so it needs memory that can run at its bus speed. PC-100 RAM fits this task nicely. Celeron's and older Klamath Pentium II's run on a 66mhz front side bus. But like the super socket seven, it's very difficult to find SDRAM at 10ns, so it would be convenient to just go out and get the PC-100 RAM.
Pentium III
The type of memory you purchase for a Pentium III might get a little expensive, depending on what type of chipset you have. You're going to have to check your motherboard's manual to see exactly what chipset you're using. If you're like me and have an Intel 810, 810E, 815, 815E, or Via Apollo based chipset, then you don't have to waste a lot of money getting RDRAM (Rambus RAM). You're either going to get PC-100 RAM or PC-133 RAM depending on your bus speed. Finding what kind of bus speed you have is simple. If your Pentium III has a "B" tagged to the end of it, it features a 133mhz front side bus. These are the Pentium III B's and Pentium III EB's. If it doesn't have a "B" tagged to the end of it, it only has a 100mhz front side bus. These are the Pentium III's and Pentium III E's.
Intel 820E and 820 chipsets support RDRAM only. Just like the DIMM, you don't have to worry about pairing two memory modules. You will, however, have to install the memory into a new type of memory slot; the RIMM (Rambus Memory Module). This type of memory is much faster than traditional SDRAM, ranging from PC-600 to blazing PC-800 speeds. However, you will be paying premium for this type of memory. I suggest purchasing the cheapest, slowest, PC-600 RDRAM module you can find because there isn't that much of a noticeable performance difference.
Pentium 4
Currently, the Pentium 4's only chipset, the Intel 850, only supports RDRAM. There are different flavors of RDRAM. But to get the most performance out of your Pentium 4, get PC800 RDRAM. This type of memory will take complete advantage of the Pentium 4's quad-pumped 100mhz FSB, effectively 400mhz. Right now, PC600 memory costs a lot more than PC800 memory. It makes no sense to purchase slower memory for a higher price than faster memory. So you'll not only get the fastest RDRAM currently available, but you'll also be spending less.
Keep in mind that the i850 chipset uses dual RDRAM channels, meaning you'll have to do like the P5 class processors and use to pairs of memory modules. i.e. if you want to add 256 megs of RAM, you'll need two 128 meg RIMMs.
Athlon
Although AMD calls it a 200mhz bus, the AMD Athlon really has a 100mhz front side bus. However, it transfers data on the rising and falling edges of the clock. In effect, this doubles the 100mhz system bus. Since the Athlon really has a 100mhz bus, PC-100 RAM will work just fine. However, most motherboard manufacturers support PC133 RAM. The new Athlon's are now running on a 133Mhz DDR FSB, in effect a 266Mhz FSB. If you have one of these Athlons, getting PC133 RAM will be worth it.
The DDR chipset for AMD chips are now out. The motherboards are still extremely difficult to find, but if you can get your hands on one, you'll definately benefit by purchasing DDR memory. The memory is a little more expensive, but I think its worth it.
Installing SIMMs
You'll see that there is a side with a lot of little metal strips. This is the side that will be inserted into the slot. First, look at the slot. You should see that the there is one part of the slot that is slightly sloping downward. This is where you will be inserting the memory module. Position the module so it is in about a forty-five degree angle and insert it into the slot. Now, like you're folding a piece of paper, slowly move it into a vertical position. The two retention mechanisms, on either side of the slot, will click into place. When you hear the retention mechanisms click into place, you're finished. Now check if the module is firmly seated into its slot and if both retention mechanisms are holding it. If it's not firmly seated or the retention mechanisms are not holding it properly, press both retention mechanisms at the same time. The module will be forced out and you can try again. Once you've determined that it's in properly, turn on your computer and check the start-up screen to see if the installation was successful.
There is also something to take into consideration when it comes to SIMMs. Some SIMMs can fit into the slot in two ways. It will only work one way. So if you've installed it and taken out, installed it and taken it out numerous times and had bad results, try the other side of the module. By the other side, I mean the back or front depending on how you look at it. For example, there is a front of an envelope. This is where the mailing address and stamp are placed. There is also a back of the envelope; this is where you lick the edges and close it up. Just make sure that you're always placing the metal strips into the slot.
Installing DIMMs/RIMMs
Like the SIMM, the side with a lot of little metal strips is the side that you will be inserted into the slot. There are two retention mechanisms on either side of the slot. Push down on both of them to make sure they're in the unlocked position. Unlike the SIMM, you won't have to worry about a forty-five degree angle. Simply take the DIMM or RIMM and vertically place it into the slot. It will only go in one way. Now with one finger on each side, gently push it downward until the two retention mechanisms lock into place. Check to make sure that it is firmly in place and the retention mechanisms are holding it properly. If not, press both the retention mechanisms downward. This will force the module out of the slot and you'll be able to try again. When you do have in properly turn on your computer and check the start-up screen to see if the installation was successful.
A note on the RDRAM. Unlike EDO RAM, you're going to need a pair of continuity modules. These are inserted into the RIMM slots that you aren't using. They are installed exactly the same as SDRAM and RDRAM modules.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
cptsulu
|
|
Member: Ryan Samiley
Location: University of California, Irvine
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 15 members
About Me:
Third year Information and Computer Science major at UCI.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.