Upgrading Your RAM

Think of your computer as a person working at a desk. There’s the top of the desk where work is being done, drawers to hold things to work on, and a person sitting there doing the work. What if this person wanted to work on bigger tasks or do multiple tasks at once without having to retrieve and place things in the drawers as often? The easiest way to accomplish this more effectively is by making the top of the desk bigger! In this analogy, the top of the desk is the computer’s RAM. Most people have an old desktop computer laying around at home that doesn’t quite perform as well as it could. What most people don’t know though, is that it’s actually easier and cheaper to improve the performance of that computer than they think. Adding more RAM or upgrading the existing RAM can provide a big enough improvement to turn that old paperweight into a functioning computer again.

Supplies

The only things needed for this project are a basic understanding of computers, a windows computer that works but could be faster, a screw driver and a little extra money to purchase some RAM.

Step 1: Identifying RAM Specifications

First, we’ll identify how much and what type of RAM the computer has, along with finding an upgrade. Boot up the old desktop computer and log in, then hit the key with the windows logo and type “System Information”. Select the “System Information” result from the list of results. Here we’ll record two things from the “System Summary” section. Write down what is listed under BaseBoard Product and Installed Physical Memory (RAM). Usually there will only be one or two GB of RAM installed, which means some moderate performance can be gained by upgrading. Next go to www.google.com and type in what was record under BaseBoard Product followed by “Specifications”. Find a website that lists the specifications of the Motherboard and look for a section titled Memory. Take note of whether it has DDR2 or DDR3 memory. Now we’re able to find an upgrade to the memory. Either go online to Amazon or a local computer shop and find two 2gb sticks of RAM in either DDR2 or DDR3 depending on what the specifications said.

Step 2: Removing the Side Panel

First, we’ll identify how much and what type of RAM the computer has, along with finding an upgrade. Boot up the old desktop computer and log in, then hit the key with the windows logo and type “System Information”. Select the “System Information” result from the list of results. Here we’ll record two things from the “System Summary” section. Write down what is listed under BaseBoard Product and Installed Physical Memory (RAM). Usually there will only be one or two GB of RAM installed, which means some moderate performance can be gained by upgrading. Next go to www.google.com and type in what was record under BaseBoard Product followed by “Specifications”. Find a website that lists the specifications of the Motherboard and look for a section titled Memory. Take note of whether it has DDR2 or DDR3 memory. Now we’re able to find an upgrade to the memory. Either go online to Amazon or a local computer shop and find two 2gb sticks of RAM in either DDR2 or DDR3 depending on what the specifications said.

Step 3: Removing and Replacing RAM

Following this, look for the one or two RAM sticks that are already installed. On each end of them there will be two clips holding them into place; gently press down on these two clips for each stick of RAM and they will become unseated. Remove them from their slots and set them aside. Examine the slots they were removed from as there will be a small break in the slots. This break shows how the new RAM will be oriented when it goes in. Take the new RAM and align it with the break in the slot, ensuring the same slots are used that the old RAM came out of. Gently press the sticks down into the slots until the clips on the end click upwards into position. It will require some force but not a large amount. If the correct RAM was purchased and it’s oriented correctly, then they will fit perfectly into the slot. Repeat this process for the second stick of RAM. They should both be seated evenly with each and both clips should be in the upward position.

Step 4: Replacing the Side Panel & Conclusion

Finally, it’s time to put the side panel back into place. Start from the back of the computer with the side panel nearly flat and it should slide on and be flush with the rest of the case. Now take the screws and replace them into the holes on the back of the side panel they came out of. Take note that it may be necessary to lift or push down on the side panel to get the screws to insert properly. When this is finished, it’s time to plug all of the cables and accessories back into the computer and power it on. Now you’ve upgraded that old obsolete computer into something much more usable!