I am up grading my RAM, how do I know what card to get?

Question

I know most of the obvious. I know about my slots and matching 1-1, 2-2. My main question is, (I am only adding 1gig, to match the 1g already factory installed) what card do I get? I see some for as cheep as $30 but some as high as $150. How do I know what's right for me?

Answer 1

Yea it would be best to get two new cards or to replace the existing card instead of mixing them, never know what could happen!!!

Answer 2

Get 2 of the same just to be safe and get the new ones with heat sinks

Answer 3

You can do one or two things before you start buying RAM sticks. First find out exactly what you have - kind - size, etc. Run either a complete scan by Belarc Advisor, which will tell you everything on and in your computer - software - hardware, etc. And/or run a RAM check by Crucial. Both are free and both are worth taking the time to do them.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

http://www.crucial.com/

Answer 4

First of all, you really shouldn't mix and match different RAM.  I'm not saying it won't work, but you're probably going to have problems.  Instead of buying a 1 GB stick to add, just buy 2 of the same 1 GB sticks or a single 2 GB Stick.  Other than that, we need more information on what kind of computer you have to set you up with the correct RAM.

Answer 5

Take out or look at the old one, and get the same speed. DDR1 has 3200 speed which is 400Mhz. DDR2 is faster and for newer pcs. You can mix brands but get the same speed. Newegg.com and Pricewatch.com have the best prices. Dont get the most expensive. I always buy the one on sale and they always work just fine. Ive been fixing my own pcs for 6 years.

Answer 6

I have always used crucial.com..they have very small program that you download that scans your computer and tells you what you need.  Then it takes you to a page on their site that shows you what you will need and want.  Hope this helps.