How to Find out What Type of Memory a Computer Needs

Upgrading your memory? First you need to find out how much RAM is installed on your PC computer already. Also, you need to verify the type of RAM your computer uses. Knowing these two vital details will help you select the kind of memory your computer needs. Follow these steps to find out how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Find out How Much RAM Your Computer Has Already

1. Start your computer. Wait for Windows to load.
2. Click on "My Computer" and right-click "Properties." Doing so will open up "Systems Properties."
3. Click on the "General" tab. Here you can view the physical memory installed on your computer. It's indicated by the total RAM installed on your computer. For older PC's, the RAM is usually 32 MB, 64 MB or 128 MB. Newer ones usually have 256 MB, 512 MB or even more RAM.
4. Check the usage. To know how much RAM your PC currently uses to run the programs it does, open the "Taskbar" or press "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Del" to open a pop-up window. Click on "Task Manager."
5. Press on the "Performance" tab. You can view the amount of memory currently used by each program running on your PC.

Find out What Type of Memory a Computer Needs

6. Know that RAM is usually expanded to the power of 2, typically as 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 and so on.
7. Learn how your computer reads different RAM size through modules. For example, when using a Pentium processor, 32 MB of RAM installed on your computer uses 8 modules of 4MBs. Upgrading your computer to 64 MB will require adding 8 more modules of 4 MB RAM.
8. Check the type of RAM installed on your computer. Looking through the operating system may not provide you with accurate information.
9. Look out for speed and parity when understanding the RAM type your PC has. The most common types are SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) and RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM) and the older EDO (Extended Data-out RAM). If you use an outdated 486 computer, you probably have FPM (front page memory). If your computer uses a Pentium processor (below 1 Giga Hertz), you probably have EDO installed on your computer. Pentiums and Celerons have SDRAM. Newer machines have DDR (Double-Data-Rate) and RDRAM.
10. Open your computer case. Check the number of sockets provided for RAM. They're easy to identify. Just have a closer look at your motherboard. Your computer will have one of the three socket types. The first SIMM (single in-line memory module) is 30-pin and about 3 inches long. The SIMM 72-pin is usually 4 inches and the DIMM (dual in-line memory module) 168-pin is about 5 inches. The old 486 computers used a 30-pin socket while Pentiums and Celeron had 72-pin sockets. Both these types are not available in the market as all newer computers come with a 168–pin socket.
11. Check the number of modules, speed and parity. There are two types of modules present in each computer, a 30-pin and a 72-pin module.
12. Decode the module information to learn more about the RAM type your computer has. A 30-pin module will read "1 x 9-60" or "1 x 8-60." The number 1 here denotes MB size, which could range between 1 MB and 4 MB. Number 9 denotes parity; while number 8 denotes non-parity. When you see numbers 9 and 8, it also means you have a 30-pin module. The final number 60 shows speed limit. Take note of the modules you have installed on your computer as well as their parity, speed and RAM type as you decide what kind of memory your computer needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider upgrading your entire computer if you have EDO or FPM (Fast Page Mode) on your computer.
• Choose an extensible RAM. Newer RAM such as SDRM, DDR and RDDRM are extensible.
• You can increase the memory of your computer without changing its motherboard.
• Choose a DDR and RDDRM when buying a new computer. They're considered to be the best RAM available today offering higher speed and utilizing full memory.

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