increase my Mb RAM?

[SpeckledJim]

im new here . i dont know much about computers. i know that i need more ram my system has 256mb ram i want an upgrade to at least 384mb ram
what i need to know is
1.can i just buy upgrades out of the shops?
2.how much is that going to cost me? (lowest cost)
3. my system is pretty basic, will this make my computer a lot better?

[123456]

I reccomend getting Kingston and have a total of at least 512 mb RAM. There are several different types of RAM. What is yours? DIMM?

[SpeckledJim]

sorry i dont know know what dimm mean

[SpeckledJim]

much will the kingston cost

[pop pop]

It can be confusing. Go to this link, it's to Crucial. They make very good RAM and this page will guide you through finding out what you need. http://www.crucial.com


Answer the questions (the first is the manufacturer of your PC) and you'll eventually have a good idea of what you need.

You don't have to buy Crucial brand, you can buy whatever you want and can afford. You can buy it anywhere, online, at a shop, at a place like CompUSA. You can have it installed but they'll cahrge you. You can do it yourself--very easy.

Some things to keep in mind:

1) RAM is cheap these days, set yourself up with at least 512MB.

2) Get the right type .. SDRAM, DDR, etc and the right size in terms of number of pins (the Crucial page should help)

3) Some PC's motherboards require that RAM be added in pairs--you can't add single sticks to those.

4) The PC power must be OFF when you do the install and you must be grounded (simple as holding onto the case).

5) Put the RAM module(s) in the correct slot(s), turn the power back on and when the system boots it will automatically see it.

If you need more detailed instructions Google it. There's all kinds of pages with step-by-step PC upgrade instructions.

[SpeckledJim]

when i buy ram does it just add to the ram i already. is that the way it works?
like i have 256 now if i buy another 256 will that get me to512
i dont know too much as you can see
how cheap is this ram?

[PrntRhd]

It depends on the number of slots in your computer, many times you add additional RAM in an empty slot next to the existing RAM. Can you post the brand/model number of your PC?

[SpeckledJim]

its says abs and two roman numerals standig for 2

[PrntRhd]

Try downloading this program:
Belarc (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html), it will tell you much more about your PC. You should then be able to tell us what type CPU and main board your computer is running.

And if no one did this:
Welcome to the PC Guide Forums!

[pop pop]

Belarc is a great utility and will tell you a lot.

Crucial only shows two modles for ABS computers a Conquest Server T1 and a Conquest Server 1800. Here's the link for the T1 (thought you might have interpreted that as "II") http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=ABS+Computer+Techn ologies%2B&mfr=ABS+Computer+Technologies&cat=RAM&model=Conquest+Server+T1&submit=Go

Here are step-by-step instructions for RAM upgrade/install http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,18024,00.asp

[PrntRhd]

Pop Pop,
We might want to see what Belarc finds out, if his system is basic from his first post, I doubt it is a server.

[classicsoftware]

Before you even go that far, please describe your system.

What is the speed of the processor?

What is the operating system?

How large is the hard drive and how much free space is left.

How did you come to the conclusion you need more RAM. Is the system running slower than it used to?

Maybe all it need is a little TLC and it will be it;s old speedy self.

[SpeckledJim]

operating system: Windows XP professional sevice pack 1 (build2600)
processor: 2.10 gigahertz AMD athlon XP
128MB kilobyte primary memory cache
256MB kilobyte secondary mmory cache
drives:81.95 gigabytes usable hardrive capacity
17.2 gigabytes hard drive free space
syatem model: American Megatrends Inc. 1.0
Main circuit board: board:K7S8X
bus clock:166 megahertz
BIOS: american megatrends inc P2.20 10/07/2003
memory modules: 256Megabytes installed memory
slot 0 has 256 MB
slot1: empty
slot 2: empty
is that enough info on my computer?

[SpeckledJim]

my computer isnt running slower than it used to
i want more RAM so i can play games
but however my computer seems to always have problems like the other day it just wouldnt turn off it hadnt froze it just would turn off kept clicking that button nothin happened

[pop pop]

Ah....now we get to some of the real issues.

You have a good and capable system. Based on what you just wrote, "running slower", "turning off" and freezing it's really possible (and likely) that RAM is not the big problem, malware infestation (spyware, viruses, trojans, etc) probably needs to be looked into. That should be done before you spend the money on more RAM. If you have bugs in your system that are causing it to run slow and crash, adding RAM will not really solve the problem. Make sure the system is healthy first, then add the RAM.

I could give you some advice on how to proceed with making sure you have a clean and healthy system but I'll defer to the experts here. Be prepared, they are going to ask you some questions like: Do you run antivirus software? Do you run protective antispyware applications? Do you run with a firewall?

After they help clean up whatever may be slowing your PC down, you'll be surprised how fast it will be with the RAM you already have.

[123456]

pop pop, I think he needs the extra ram. 512 is needed for xp and gaming. Trust me ;)

[SpeckledJim]

i said it wasnt running slower and it wasnt freezing
the only problem i said was the last problem i had which was when i wouldnt turn off

[pop pop]

Hoookay fine. Misread. Sorry.

Throw a couple of gigabyte sticks in there and the XP Pro that's in there running fine will continue to do so.

Exit stage right....

[PrntRhd]

Your system is presently using 256 MB DDR RAM, another 256 will make XP very happy, 512 will make it fly. You have 3 slots, so you can add to each empty slot without any issues as long as the new RAM is the same speed as the old.

[SpeckledJim]

thanks to everybody who helped


if anybody has anything more to say then please do thank you

[SpeckledJim]

Your system is presently using 256 MB DDR RAM, another 256 will make XP very happy, 512 will make it fly. You have 3 slots, so you can add to each empty slot without any issues as long as the new RAM is the same speed as the old.

how do i know the speed of my old ram and the speed of my new ram?

[PrntRhd]

I found this from your Belarc posting on the Crucial site:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=ASRock%2B&mfr=ASRock&cat=RAM&model=K7S8X&submit=Go
You can choose from basic performance memory in the upper list or get higher performance in the list that follows marked Ballistic (for gamers). Again, you should match speed or the system will run at the Slower of the two memory modules.
You may also be able to scan for current configuration/speed by going to this link and seeing what their configurator shows:
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

Finally you have an ASRock motherboard, a nice board.
:D

[SpeckledJim]

am i looking for cpu speed is that the one ?
it says Cpu speed is 2087 Mhz

[PrntRhd]

no, best if you run the second of my links to see what the site knows about your present memory.

[SpeckledJim]

i ran the second of your links and it said that it was unable to determine the exact model of AMS tech that i have i thought you said it was an ASrock?
well anyway here it was else it says:
computer manufacturer: AMS tech
computer model: NA
CPU manufacturer: Authentic AMD
CPU family:AMD athlon XP 2600+
CPU speed:2087MHz
Front side bus speed: 166MHz
and it says more stuff

[PrntRhd]

copy/paste the "more stuff" if possible

[SpeckledJim]

currently installed memory: 256MB
maximum memory capacity: 384MB
total number of memory slots:3
Availible memory slots:2

[SpeckledJim]

is that what you wanted?

[PrntRhd]

no, but maybe someone reading this has ideas on finding the speed.
This was what Crucial site had on upper right hand corner of the first link i sent you:
Information on the
ASRock K7S8X

* 184-pin DIMM Banking: 3 (3 banks of 1)
* Chipset: SiS 746FX
* DDR SDRAM Frequencies: PC1600, PC2100, PC2700, and PC3200
* Error Detection Support: Non-ECC only
* Graphics Support: AGP 8X
* Max Unbuffered DDR SDRAM: 3072MB
* Module Types Supported: Unbuffered only
* Supported DRAM Types: DDR SDRAM only
* USB Support: 2.x Compliant

[SpeckledJim]

oh ok so i am just waiting for someone on here to help me get the speed?

[SpeckledJim]

is the speed important in choosing the right memory upgrade

[PrntRhd]

It just is that you could buy faster speed than the first stick and you would waste the extra speed. Or you could buy slower speed than the existing and slow the speed down.

[SpeckledJim]

will the speed be in my belarc

[PrntRhd]

did not show in what you posted.

[SpeckledJim]

does it show in your belarc

[PrntRhd]

try downloading Sisoft Sandra and see what it shows:
http://download.guru3d.com/sandra/

[saphalline]

Ok, so you have an AthlonXP 2600+ Thoroughbred B core, running on the 166MHz DDR FSB (333MHz effective). The speed of RAM you need is PC2700, also may be listed as DDR333. Try to get RAM with a CAS rating of 2.5 or 2 (lower is better) and you're looking at getting a stick of 256MB to double your RAM? You don't need to worry about installing sticks of RAM in pairs on your system, so I would suggest buying a stick of 512MB at this point. Go for broke, triple your RAM, and watch your system chew thru games like crazy! :D Of course, this assumes you have a decent vid card to keep up with your games. :rolleyes:

From that Crucial link for your mobo, a stick of standard PC2700 512MB with CAS 2.5 is $81.99 - and I believe Crucial still has free 2nd day shipping to the lower 48 states.

[PrntRhd]

You probably could use PC2700 and it will be fine

[SpeckledJim]

1. im not from america
2.thank you very much to you and PrntRhd helped me alot

[saphalline]

1. im not from america
Oops, I missed that one. Sorry about that, getting your hopes up with cheaper american money! :D Ok, you'll pay just a bit more for that RAM, so it's up to you how much you want to add. 256MB would help your whole system a lot, whereas adding the larger 512MB stick would only help a lot with games.

Just to put your RAM in perspective, 256MB is much less than the 1024MB I have in my system. ;) Happy shopping!

[PrntRhd]

Any of these programs should show you your current RAM speed:
- CPU-Z
- SiSoft Sandra Standard
- Memtest86

[SpeckledJim]

well ive put my order in online at crucial
i went for the CT3264Z335 256MB DIMM 2700
thanks for your help