My computer seems to be rather slow at present. It has a 512MB memory card - if I were to change it for another with a higher memory would this improve its speed? I have watched a ‘professional’ change my memory card and it looked fairly simple. Is this a procedure I could undertake?

Upgrading a Computer's Memory

Upgrading memory chips is indeed a terrific way to improve a computer's speed and it is a fairly simple process. However, computers have their limits and yours may or may not be a candidate for a memory upgrade. For example, if your computer's motherboard has an available memory slot, adding a compatible memory module is an option. If it doesn't, the current memory modules could possibly be replaced with larger capacity chips – if the motherboard supports a larger chip size.

What is Your Computer's Maximum RAM?

First, it's not a bad idea to look up your computer's specifications to find out what its maximum RAM is. If it's an older PC, 512MB might be the maximum in which case there's nothing you can do short of a major upgrade complete with a new motherboard. On the other hand, if you find out that it has a maximum RAM capacity of 1, 2, or 4GB, then it's a great candidate for a memory upgrade. One of the easiest ways to find out this information is to go to the manufacturer's website and look up your computer model. If you saved the computer's user's manual, the information should be listed there as well.

Are there any Empty Expansion Slots?

Next, you'll need to open up your computer to find out exactly what you're dealing with. Make sure to unplug your computer before opening the case. Take off any jewelry such as rings or bracelets as well and ground yourself. Now, open the case and inspect the motherboard. Are there any empty expansion slots? How many existing memory modules are in place? For example, since your computer has 512MB of RAM, it either has two 256MB chips or one 521MB chip. Based on what you find in the computer's specifications and the availability of expansion shots, you should be able to determine the number and capacity of memory to buy.

At this point, you can pull one of the chips and take it down to your local electronics store where a clerk should be able to help you select the right type of memory modules for your upgrade.

Celeste Stewart | November 17th, 2011
Tags: install ram, ram upgrades, upgrade memory
Categories: Hardware

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