1 stick, 2 stick, 3 stick, more!
Mar 28 '01
The Bottom Line Get it now while it's cheap.
RAM is an essential part of the computer you love and own. If you did not have this small, insignificant looking piece of hardware the computer you love would be an expensive paperweight. BUT......before you go and throw all your money away getting 4 billion Megs of RAM, there are a few things you should know.
1. Know what you are suppose to be getting before you are getting it.
- If you have an older computer (circa 1997), you most likely will be getting 72 pin RAM. This stuff is the "old" stuff.
- A "newer" computer (last 4 years or so until now) will use 168 pin RAM (PC100, PC133), RAMBUS 184 pins (PC600, PC700, PC800) or DDR 184 pins(PC1600 eff. PC200, or PC2100 eff. PC266).
- A name brand pre-built computer. (Such as Dell) These usually require that you buy the RAM directly from the company that you got the RAM from as the "generic" RAM will not work in it. (I think that is just stupid)
2. How to install the RAM
- for the "older" computer: When you are installing it, all you have to do is put it in at a 45 degree angle. (don't worry, it doesn't need to be at an exact 45 degree angle.) Then you straighten it until you hear a nice little click. Don't force it! If you break it, that would be bad. You have to have this RAM in pairs. What I mean by that is you have to have 2 16mb sticks, or 2 32mb sticks, you can't have just one stick of 32 in the slot.
- For a newer computer: The slot the 168 pin RAM fits into will be much longer than the 72 pin one. It will look a little like this: (Yes, like the dashes)
------- -------------------- --------------------
The pins on the RAM will look the same way. You can only install them one way.....match the pins on the RAM and the pins on the motherboard! :) The way that works best for me is I open the tabs at the side, and then gradually put each side in a little at a time until the tabs at each side clicks. This will require some force, but don't put that much force on it. This does not require you to have the RAM in pairs.
The RAMBUS and DDR RAM modules will looks like this:
--------------------- ------------------------------
One of the sides will be noticeably longer so you should have no trouble in deciding which way to put it. With both DDR and RAMBUS you can mix and match the kind you have. (say a 128 stick and a 64 meg stick) But the thing with RAMBUS is that you have to have ALL the RAM slots filled. You cannot have just one stick and the other slots are empty. You also have to have "terminator" sticks. These just fill up the slots and do nothing else for the computer.
3. Know what your motherboard will support.
When you are are buying the RAM, and your motherboard only supports up to PC100 RAM, getting the PC133 stuff will do nothing for you. Also know there is a limit to what your motherboard can cache. Mine (an Epox MVP3G2, can cache only 256. Having more than that would actually be detrimental to my system)
4. Know your RAM!
This is an overlooked part of buying RAM. Know what is can do. If you plan to be an overclocker (like me! :D) then you have to have REALLY good quality RAM. Just buying the generic stuff will not do....even though it looks tempting with the low prices now, don't fall into that trap. Some suggestions on good RAM are: Crucial, Micron, Infineon, Viking, Mushkin, Kingston, and Mosel. You should get good RAM anyways if you want your system to be stable. There is also something called CAS3 and CAS2 as far as 168 pin RAM goes, but this I really can't explain. If you are a gamer, go with the CAS2 stuff.
5. Know what your system will support.
Win98SE will be noticeably faster with 128MB of RAM vs. 64, but go from 128 to 256....nada. You won't get much of an increase. But....Win2000 loves the RAM much more than 98 so if you get more than 256 on Win2000, your computer will love you!
This is a lot of info to digest I know. But knowing all this will help you into getting not only a faster system, but a more stable one.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
graingerguy
|
|
Member: Welby Lo
Location: Angwin, CA
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 6 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.