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The right amount of memory depends on how you’re using your system and the operating system you have installed. Many applications may require additional memory. Your usage habits also play a part in determining the total amount of RAM you should install. Office XP, for instance, requires an additional 8MB of RAM for each application open at any given time.
Most software lists the minimum system requirements on the program’s box. You can also find minimum requirements on the manufacturer’s Web site. It’s a good idea to always make sure you have more than the minimum requirements. Generally speaking, you should aim for 256MB of RAM if you’re running a WinXP system. If you plan on gaming, working with graphic art applications, or editing home movies, you’ll want to increase your memory to 512MB or more.
Once you have an idea of how much RAM you need, it’s time to start searching for compatible RAM. This can be the most difficult part of a memory upgrade. In general, there are three types of memory technology, SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM), DDR SDRAM (double-data-rate SDRAM), and Rambus.
SDRAM. SDRAM is prevalent in newer Pentium, Pentium II, and Pentium III systems. SDRAM comes in different speeds including: PC66, PC100, and PC133. The number corresponds to the clock speed of the memory. That means PC66 runs at 66MHz while PC133 runs at 133MHz.
DDR SDRAM. DDR SDRAM is a memory technology found on newer Pentium IV and AMD systems. Like SDRAM, DDR SDRAM comes in a variety of speeds including PC2100, PC2700, PC3200, PC3500, and PC3700 (266MHz, 333MHz, 400MHz, 433MHz, and 466MHz clock speeds, respectively). As you can see, PC speed rankings for DDR SDRAM don’t correspond as nicely to actual speed.
Rambus. Rambus is a high-performance memory technology from Rambus, Inc. You may find Rambus memory in older Pentium IV systems and high-end workstations.
Older Memory. If you’re looking to upgrade an older system (486 or older Pentium), your system most likely uses EDO (extended data out) or FPM (fast page mode) memory. Because there’s less of a demand for such modules, manufacturers make relatively few. In some instances, you may have to pay a premium for older memory technology.
Memory Packages. You’ll also see terms such as SIMM and DIMM bandied about. SIMM (single in-line memory module) and DIMM (dual in-line memory module) refer to the physical package in which memory comes. Older memory technology such as EDO and FPM come as SIMMs while newer SDRAM and DDR SDRAM come as DIMMs. You’ll need to install SIMMs in pairs, but you can install DIMMs in single units. Rambus technology is sometimes referred to as RIMM (Rambus in-line memory module).
In most instances, a motherboard will only support one of the three memory technologies listed above, so it’s important to find out what kind of memory your system uses before you shell out money for a new memory module. You can usually find the necessary information in your system’s documentation.
Faster memory modules may tempt you, but it’s always best to match the memory that’s already in your PC as closely as possible. Memory speeds are often limited to the fastest speed support by your motherboard, processor, and RAM. If you have a motherboard with a 266MHz front side bus, for instance, installing brand new PC3700 (466MHz) memory won’t do you much good because the motherboard doesn’t support anything faster than 266MHz. As a result, you end up paying PC3700 prices for memory that’s running as fast as PC2100 memory.
For additional information, please refer to the article in the "See Also:" section below. |