MEMORY UPGRADING

Installing more or upgrading the memory on your system will enhance its performance by allowing you to open more programs at the same time, and allow you to run more complicated programs like Video Editing and Photo Editing programs.

The installation process of memory is rather simple, but first you need to know what kind of memory your machine will use. Check with the system builder or the motherboard manufacturer.

It is important to match the type and size of the memory modules. They should be the same size and kind; especially in the newer machines. For example if you have a chip that is 128 megabytes in size and it is a PC133 then you should install a 128 megabyte PC 133 memory module in the next available slot. If you have a 256 megabyte module put that in the first slot, (usually the slot closest to the cpu) and the smaller size on in the second slot.

With the newer motherboards memory must be matched both size and type. If you put a 256 Megabyte chip in the first slot, then you must also install a 256 chip in the second slot.

There are several types of memory, SIMM's, DIMMS, DDR, DDR2 and RAMBUS, and SODIMM's for notebook computers.

SIMM's are Single Inline Memory Modules and are available in several different styles. The older machines used FP or Fast Page memory, and EDO or Expanded Data Output.

DIMM's or Dual Inline Memory Modules also are available in several different types, PC 66, PC 100, PC 133.

DDR stands fro Double Data Rate memory. DDR memory operates at a minimum of 2100 MB/s. (DDR 200) is called PC2100, or DDR200, PC2700, PC3200, and PC4000.

Rambus and DDR are used in the newest machines and are fast becoming the industry standard. Rambus has a transfer rate of up to 2100 megabytes per second, and DDR has a transfer rate of up to 440 megabytes per second.

A good source of memory modules, for general consumers is Crucial. They have a system memory match configurator.

Here is a page that has a video explaining more about memory from Corsair.