Adding More Memory to your Computer

Adding more memory to your computer is often the most cost-effective upgrade you can make to speed up your PC, especially if it feels a bit sluggish after a few years of use.

Here is a brief overview of how to add more memory to your desktop, laptop, or netbook computer.

PC memory comes in many flavours, such as DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 etc. Newer technologies always offer faster performance, but most motherboards accept only one type of memory so you need to check your motherboard's manual to find out what type of memory modules you need and how you should install them.

Companies such as Crucial and Kingston offer handy online tools that identify the appropriate memory for many different computers and a variety of motherboards.

To take advantage of more than 4GB of memory your PC needs to run a 64-bit operating system either using WindowsXP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8. 64-bit systems offer direct access to more virtual and physical memory than 32-bit systems and therefore process a lot more data per clock cycle. This makes your PC run faster and perform everyday tasks that much quicker. Bearing in mind this speed improvement, we thoroughly recommend that you use a 64-bit operating system.

Before you carry out any work on your computer make sure you protect your PC's delicate circuits from static electric charges on your body by properly grounding yourself. If you don't have a grounding strap at least ground your body by touching the metal part on the outside of your PC's case before touching the inside of your PC or any component, including the motherboard.

PC and Laptops Memory Installation

To begin, open your computer's case and look for the memory slots.

With a desktop PC the memory modules can usually be seen when you open up your computers case. With some set ups they may be difficult to access because of bad cable management or just a location that is difficult to reach.
However, many PC's are easy to upgrade because of their good internal layout.

To remove the existing memory from your desktop computer, release the clips at each end of the module so that it pops loose. With the slots clear, gently but firmly remove the old memory module and insert the new one. If you are just adding new memory and have a spare slot, and are sure that you have a compatible memory module, just insert it until the clips snap to hold it securely in place.
Tip: It's often best to seat one corner of the module first and then press the other end into place.

Most laptops and netbooks come with one or two memory sockets which may leave you with no space for an upgrade. In this case you will have to remove at least one module before any upgrade can take place. The RAM module on most laptops and netbooks sit behind a removable panel on the underneath of your computer or under the keyboard. Once the panel is open lift up the existing memory module, using its outer edge, until it can be safely removed. To do this, carefully lift the memory module until it is at an angle of about 45 degrees. You will then be able to carefully remove it. To install memory place it in the slot and then press down until the clips snap tightly around the ends.