What Information Is Needed to Buy Desktop Memory?
The physical task of changing out and installing new memory in a desktop computer is as simple as pushing back a couple of clips and pulling the memory out. However, this easy upgrade will fail if incompatible memory is purchased.
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DIMM Type
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Before buying new Random Access Memory (RAM), you must determine what type is compatible with your motherboard. The motherboard is the main circuit board within a computer. Desktops use full-sized RAM modules, called DIMMs (Dual In-Line Memory Modules), that are incompatible with physically smaller laptop SO-DIMM (Single Output Dual In-Line Memory Module) RAM modules.
RAM Type
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RAM type refers to the chips on the RAM module and therefore differs from DIMM type. Modern desktops use double data rate (DDR) RAM, which as of August 2010 comes in three versions: DDR, DDR2 and DDR3. Motherboards compatible with DDR cannot use DDR2 RAM and vice versa. Some motherboards are compatible with both DDR2 and DDR3.
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Capacity
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While running software, your computer holds all of the data it is currently working with in the RAM chips on your RAM modules. Thus, RAM capacity directly affects your computer's speed. For example, Windows 7 requires a minimum of 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM. Most modern systems need at least 2 GB of RAM to run smoothly.
Speed
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Speed is listed in megahertz (MHz), such as 333 MHz or 800 MHz. Motherboards are compatible with their specified RAM speed or slower. Faster speeds allow the computer to save and access data on the RAM more quickly. For best performance, always buy the highest speed RAM your motherboard can handle.
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