How to Add Memory To Your Desktop PC

As I mentioned in Tune Up Your Windows 7 PC upgrading or adding more memory to your computer is a great way to increase it's speed. The more programs you run, and the more difficult they are for your computer to run the more memory it takes.

What type of RAM do I need?

There's many different types of RAM available, and each PC has specific types it needs. There's a variety of different speeds and sizes to fit each kind. The easiest way to find out what you need is to look up your model on the manufacturers website. They will also tell you how many slots and how much memory you can put in. You can also look at one of the existing RAM sticks in the computer, we'll show you how to take that out a bit later.

Let's go shopping!

Now that you know what you need, it's time to shop around! There's a lot of different brands that you'll find out there but here's a list of the most reliable, well known companies so you can avoid stumbling onto a bad brand.

• Corsair
• Kingston
• Crucial
• Patriot
• OGZ
• G. Skill

Kingston 2x4GB

Each of these brands has anything you may need for your PC and even offer combinations of a couple different chips to get the best deal.

Installation

First things first, properly shut down the PC, shut off the power supply and unplug it from the wall. Unplug all your accessories so it's easier to lay on it's side and work on.

IMPORTANT During this entire process you want to make sure you are grounded often so you don't build up static electricity. Some of the components in your PC, including your new RAM are very sensitive to a sudden discharge and can be permanently damaged.

Moving forward remove the case from the side, you may need a phillips if it has small screw to remove but most have thumb screws. Some are stuck if they haven't been removed in a while and may need some persuasion to come off.

Now that we have it open, you can find where the RAM is located(see below)

There can be 2-4 slots depending on the computer, and will have at least one or more RAM chips already installed. On each end of the slot there are clips that you can push down on to pop the current chip out if you're upgrading. Do both sides at once to make it easier.

Now you can remove your new RAM from it's packaging, when you hold it be sure to grab it by the sides and not the contact points on the circuit board on the bottom. Place it into the slot, starting where the first one was you took out or next to the existing and going across from it if you're doing more than one at a time.

Be sure to tighten the clamp down all the way, they should be vertical when secured properly. While you have it open, it's a good time to clean out the inside of your case. You'll want to do this with a can of compressed air, but not too closely so you don't ruin any components inside the case.

 

Fast Blast Duster 10 oz. Can Air Removes Dust and Debris

After you're done cleaning her up, close up the case and plug it all back in. Turn the power supply back on and start her up. When she's up and running go to My Computer and right click/properties. You can check to make sure it's reading the appropriate amount of RAM. Keep in mind if you have an integrated graphics card it may set some aside for that and won't be included. Now your'e done!