A Step by Step Guide to Installing RAM

As today's applications offer more and more functionality, they require additional RAM memory to get their jobs done. Over time, a older computer will appear to slow down as newer, more RAM intensive applications are loaded on it. In fact, as programs begin to demand more RAM than is available, Windows starts using your computer's hard drive to temporarily store information from the RAM memory - a process called swapping. Swapping is a much slower process using the RAM directly. Adding RAM to your PC is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to boost its performance.

Most computers today use DIMM memory. DIMM RAM comes in several variations, so it is important to purchase the right memory for your computer. Websites like www.crucial.com sell memory online and offer a vast RAM compatibility directory. Be sure to check what kind of memory you need before you make your purchase. Buying the wrong RAM can damage your computer or reduce its performance levels.

Toady's PC's offer anywhere from two to four memory slots. Before you purchase your RAM you will also need to find out if your computer has an open DIMM slot. If you have an open slot, you can simply add another stick of RAM memory to increase the total available to your computer. If all of your slots already have RAM sticks in them, you will need to remove an old stick and replace it with a stick containing more RAM than the old one had.

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