Installing and Buying RAM

[Bynokie]

So I have a question or rather a few questions about RAM. I'm in the process of upgrading from 4gb of ram to 8-16, not sure yet. But to my questions we go.

First off, I need to know what kind to buy, on the sticks of ram I have now it says this. DDR3 1333(9) 26x16 U-DIMM 1024 1986. A friend told me I should get my motherboard make and model, I also need to know how to get that information.

Next, Is there anything special I need to do when I put them in the slots, or can I just snap them in and turn the computer on?

I know how to put in hardware, my problem is more on the knowledge of parts side. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mikeymikec]

A program called CPU-Z (www.cpuid.com) Will tell you the make and model of board you've got, as well as what memory modules you have installed and how many are left over (the latter can be inaccurate sometimes, so check inside the machine to confirm), as well as the brand of memory quite often.

Let's say you have a cheaper board with only two memory module slots. One or both may be in use, and as every DDR3 board I'm aware of has a dual-channel feature, it's best to pair your memory up.

If you have 1x 4GB DDR3-1333 module in a slot and one slot spare, then get 1x 4GB DDR3-1333 to pair it up with. If you want to play it safe, get an identical brand of memory module, though in my experience it's rare that two memory modules don't want to pair up to do dual-channel (or work at all).

If both slots are occupied, then you'll have to replace both. You can normally buy dual-channel memory kits, so it would contain say 2x 4GB modules.

If you have two spare slots, then I advise sticking in a pair of identical modules (a dual-channel kit) in the remaining two. Check that you're getting dual-channel already.

Again, if you want to play it safe, use Kingston's or Crucial's memory picker website features. They'll ask what make and model board you have and will deliver results of definitely-compatible memory modules.

Have you removed/installed memory before? In terms of doing anything special, no, memory modules are truly plug n' play, not "plug, configure for a while, install a piece of software, play" Unless you're overclocking, that complicates matters.

 

[Bynokie]

Thanks for the information, I will definitely check that out. I have 2 open slots, and 2 taken, but as for configuring and all that, I may need help with that as well.

 

[Sixguns]

I was going to ask about this also. I currently have 4gb and am wanting to to to at least 8gb. Is there any brand that I should go with? I would be removing my old stick and replace it with the new ones. Anything else I need to know before buying?

 

[mikeymikec]

As I said, Kingston and Crucial are safe bets (using their system for picking based on your board).

Advice for both users - check your board's manual (google for board make and model and 'support' - usually brings you straight to the official site's support page for that board, at least it has in my experience) to check whether your board has any funny quirks. For example, an old socket 939 board I used a while back would turn down the RAM speed if all slots were populated. An Athlon XP board I had wouldn't handle 3GB DDR400, only 2GB DDR400. It would handle 3GB DDR333 fine.

I get away with simply throwing in another same-size memory module as long as the speeds match, so unless it actually is a benefit for your setup to replace with faster RAM, I would just add to what's there.

I've used Corsair Value Select in the past, but compatibility isn't 100%. I don't go after "fast" RAM very often, admittedly I did for my current setup (DDR3-1600), but if I was upgrading to 8GB I probably wouldn't bother unless there's very little difference in price and if you're sure the board can handle it.

 

[talion83]

Unless you are trying to overclock there isn't really any configuring you need to do...RAM pretty much is plug and play; either it will be recognized and work, or it won't and won't.

As mentioned you really need to know what MB you have to tell what RAM to get. RAM can be designed for a single channel, dual channel, quad channel - it can be designed to work in a set or individually...

I do have a slightly off topic question to ask - why are you looking to go from 4 to 8-16GB? Unless you are using up the 4GB you have now, you aren't going to see much benefit from adding in more RAM.

 

[thelastjuju]

There seems to be this notion floating around these parts, that just because RAM is relatively cheap, that you should just stock up on as much as you can.. regardless of how minor the gains will be.. unless you are a video or photo editor, going above 4gb ram will literally produce between 0.0 and 0.1% gains.

Unless maybe of course you are on a PC with tons of gunk, malware, bloatware, etc.. then adding more RAM would help from bogging you down, although I prefer to make sure the PC is running squeaky clean to begin with.

 

[nine9s]

Get 1.50 volts (not higher.) If you identify your motherboard, most major memory brands will have a website showing which memory kits are compatible with that motherboard and/or the motheboard maker will have a qualified vendor list that will list memory that has been tested with the motherboard.

 

[bryanl]

The safest choice is likely Samsung, but Crucial rated for 1.50V and lacking bling-bling is also trustworthy. With other brands results vary, depending on the quality of the RAM chips used.

 

[unokitty]

A friend told me I should get my motherboard make and model, I also need to know how to get that information. .

Your friend is correct.

You should go to your laptop vendor's web site and check the specifications for your laptop. (Different laptops support different amounts of RAM. Just because you can physically fit the RAM into your laptop, doesn't mean that your laptop can address it.)

You should probably also check your operating system. For example, the 32 bit version of Windows 7 can only address 3 GB of RAM.

Best of luck,
Uno