How to insert RAM cards. Correct installation of RAM in the computer (frequency boards, connectors, slots)
Must be manufactured in a case that already houses the motherboard and processor attached. Something like this:
In the photo above we see that the RAM has already been installed. We also see the installed motherboard and power supply (indicated by an arrow).
In general, it must be said that if you buy a computer case, then, often, it comes already complete with a power supply and does not need to be installed. But in any case, the procedure for installing the power supply into the case is not complicated: you place it in the designated place (usually at the top of the system unit)
and securely fix it with four bolts on the rear wall.
But we won’t connect the power for now, but will install RAM. In the figure below we see how this is done correctly. You need to snap the plastic clips on the connector to the sides, carefully insert the RAM module into the groove that runs through the entire connector and gently but firmly press it downwards perpendicularly until it clicks and fits tightly into the slot. In this case, the plastic clips on the sides will snap into place on their own; if not, look carefully to see if the memory stick is seated as needed and snap them in place yourself.
In the figure, the power connector for the “CPU_FAN” fan is also circled.
Attention! You may damage your computer! Installing RAM is a responsible matter. Therefore, before installing it, it is very important to make sure that you are installing a memory module in the slot that is suitable for its physical characteristics. For example, the DDR2 connector is installed only memory standard DDR2, in DDR3 connectors - only DDR3 form factor memory, etc.
If, when installing RAM, you discover that there is no sticker (special sticker) on it indicating the type of memory, you can navigate purely visually using the “key”. A key is a special “cut” that divides the lower part of the RAM into several parts. Accordingly, each memory slot has a protrusion in the same place. The “key” serves as a kind of protection against attempts to install RAM in a slot that is not suitable for it due to its physical characteristics.
Here's what the two “keys” look like on the old SD-RAM standard:
If you do not want to open the computer, then to determine what type of RAM is installed in it, I recommend using the “CPU-Z” program. It will show what type of components your PC consists of. We analyzed the work of this wonderful utility.
So, we install all the memory chips at our disposal into the slots. On modern motherboards they are often marked with different colors (two yellow slots, two red slots). This is a dual-channel mode for using RAM, which slightly increases its throughput.
To activate the two-channel (or three-channel) mode of RAM, we need to insert the strips in pairs: two identical modules are installed in connectors of the same color, then the other two are installed in connectors of a different color. To obtain maximum effect, memory chips must be truly identical according to their frequency performance characteristics, timings, “CAS” and “RAS” delays. Ideally, they should be purchased from a computer company at one point in time :)
Moreover, the colors of the memory slots do not alternate, for example: yellow, red, yellow, red.
We snap all the clamps, check that all memory modules “sit” evenly in the connectors (memory chips should be on the same height line, without raised edges or “protruding” latches).
This is the simplest way to install RAM. As you can see, everything is simple :)
Instructions
I would immediately like to draw your attention to the fact that replacing or adding RAM carries a certain danger - working with electrical devices. Therefore, any operation to integrate devices into the body of the computer system unit should begin with a complete blackout.
Before choosing RAM in a store or on the radio market, you need to find out the type and its characteristics. In the case of a laptop, it is enough to use a testing program that will display all the characteristics of this device. Laptops are designed in such a way that the technical parameters of the new memory stick should not differ greatly from the same parameters of the new memory stick.
When replacing memory sticks for a desktop computer, you should rely on the technical characteristics of the motherboard. Each generation of motherboards supports all types of memory created before the release of the motherboard itself. To determine the characteristics of the motherboard and RAM, use the Everest Ultimate Edition program.
Install the utility and run it by double-clicking the left mouse button on the program shortcut. In the window that opens, go to the “Menu” section and select “Motherboard”. In the list of devices, select "Running memory" The right side of the window will display information about the installed memory. Print this data or write down on a blank sheet of paper the system bus (memory) operating frequency and the name of the manufacturer.
In a computer store you will be able to choose the right model. Most motherboards support dual-channel memory, so purchasing two smaller sticks rather than one larger stick is a better option.
Before installing RAM sticks, you must turn off the power to the computer or. It is advisable to unplug the wire from the system unit from the socket or turn off the power only to the pilot. If there is a switch on the power supply, use it - it also allows you to stop the current flow.
Open the side cover of the system unit. If necessary, use a “+” screwdriver to unscrew the mounting screws. Remove the existing memory stick and install a new one. Close the cover of the system unit, connect the power and press the Power button on the system unit to turn on the computer.
Unscrew the mounting screws and remove the bottom cover. Carefully press the RAM stick with a thin object and pull it out a little to the side (the memory stick should automatically rise under the action of a spring). Replace the old operating system memory new bar.
Cover the laptop with the bottom cover and tighten the mounting screws. Insert the battery, connect the power and turn on the laptop to check the functionality of the installed memory.
After loading the operating system, call the “System Properties” applet: right-click on the “My Computer” icon and select “Properties”. At the bottom of the window that opens, view information about the installed equipment. Compare the amount of RAM indicated in this window and the actual amount you installed. If everything matches, then the installation went without problems and everything was done correctly.
A few days ago I “freaked out” - I was tired of buying parts for the future home “supercomputer”. I took it and bought the remaining parts at once - the motherboard, processor and RAM.
Today I'll tell you how to choose RAM for a computer and even how to install it correctly.
What is RAM
Before choosing RAM for your computer, you need to clearly understand what it is in general.
RAM in a computer is one of the components, along with the central processor and SSD drive, which is responsible for the speed of the system.
The official definition goes something like this: RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile part of a computer system that temporarily stores the input, output, and intermediate data of programs and the operating system.
But, as always, I will try to convey this definition to you in simple language...
The processor is the brain of the computer that processes all information. HDD ( or SSD drive) stores all the data (programs, photos, movies, music...). RAM is an intermediate link between them. The data that needs to be processed by the processor is “pulled” into it.
Why do they “pull themselves up”? Why not immediately take them from the hard drive? The fact is that RAM works many times faster than even an SSD drive.
What data the processor may soon need is determined by the operating system itself, automatically. She is very smart, no matter what they say about her.
Types of RAM
When mammoths still walked the earth, RAM was divided into SIMM and DIMM - immediately forget about these types of RAM, they have not been produced or used for a long time.
Then DDR was invented (2001). There are also computers with this type of memory. The main difference from DDR2 and DDR3 is the number of contacts on the DDR memory board, there are only 184 of them. This type of RAM is much slower than its modern counterparts (DDR2 and DDR3).
DDR2 (2003) has a larger number of contacts (240 pieces), thanks to which the number of data streams has expanded and the transfer of information to the processor has noticeably accelerated. The maximum DDR2 frequency is 1066 MHz.
DDR3 (2007) is the most common type of RAM in modern computers. Here they left the number of contacts alone (240 pieces), but made them electrically incompatible. Maximum DDR3 frequency – 2400 MHz . This type of memory also has lower power consumption and higher bandwidth.
DDR3 turned out to be 15-20% faster than DDR2.
DDR2 and DDR3 strips have different “key” locations, they are not interchangeable...
Form factor of RAM strips
RAM strips for laptops (SODIMM) and desktop computers (SDRAM) are different in size and appearance. For laptops they look like this...
...and for stationary home computers, something like this...
This is where their differences (mostly) end. The characteristics that you need to know to choose RAM are absolutely the same for these two types.
RAM capacity
In the last century, the amount of RAM was measured in kilobytes and megabytes (it’s even funny to remember). Today - in gigabytes.
This parameter determines how much temporary information will fit into the RAM chip. Everything is relatively simple here. Windows itself consumes about 1 GB of memory when running, so there should be more of it in the computer.
2 GB - may be enough for a budget computer (movies, photos, Internet)
4 GB – suitable for more demanding programs, games at medium and maximum quality settings
8 GB - will handle heavy games at maximum quality settings or very memory-demanding programs *DANCE*
16 GB - the newest modern and heavy games, as well as special professional monster programs, will “fly”
32 GB - You have nowhere to put your money? Send them to me.
It is very important to consider that regular 32-bit Windows operating systems “do not see” memory more than 3 GB and, accordingly, do not use it. If you buy more than 3 GB of RAM, you MUST install a 64-bit system.
RAM frequency
Inexperienced users are often limited by its size when choosing RAM, but memory frequency is no less important. It determines at what speed data will be exchanged with the processor.
Modern conventional processors operate at 1600 MHz. Accordingly, it is advisable to buy memory with such a frequency, no higher (1866 MHz is possible). The difference between 1333 MHz and 1600 MHz is almost invisible to the eye.
As for memory sticks with a frequency of 2133 MHz and higher - they themselves cost a lot of money, for their full operation you need special motherboards, which cost a lot of money, and most importantly, you need a processor with an unlocked multiplier (supporting overclocking), which costs...
At the same time, all this disgrace will get very hot (you need a powerful cooling system (preferably water), which costs...) and consume a lot of energy. This is the choice of crazy gamers.
By the way, the increase in computer performance with such overclocking will be only from 10 to 30%, and you will spend three times more money. Do you need it?
RAM timing
A “terrible” parameter of RAM that few people know about and which is rarely taken into account when choosing memory, but in vain.
Latency (timing) is the time delay of a signal. It is measured in beats. The timings can take values from 2 to 13. The throughput of the “processor-memory” section and, as a result, the performance of the system depend on them, although quite a bit.
The lower the timing value, the faster the RAM works. For example, I purchased memory with timing values 9-9-9-24, but there are faster ones, of course.
RAM timings can be adjusted in the BIOS when overclocking the system (this is not recommended for inexperienced users).
And at the end of the article, as I promised at the beginning, I’ll tell you...
How to properly install RAM in a computer
Before the procedure, be sure to turn off the computer and disconnect the power cord from the system unit.
There is no need to make any settings in the system after installing the memory. The system itself will recognize it and start using it.
The easiest way to install memory is in a laptop (it can be more difficult to open the back cover). In laptops, the RAM is in a horizontal position, lying down.
Simply lift and pull it out of the grooves, insert the new one until it stops. The lock on the bar (slot) will prevent you from making mistakes when installing...
On desktop computers this process is a bit more complicated. The memory stands vertically to the motherboard and is clamped with latches.
To remove the strip, just move these latches to the sides and it will “jump” out of the slot. Installation will also take you 2 seconds - bring the bar to the slot, match the lock (slot) on the bar with the jumper in the slot and insert it all the way (you will hear a click - the latches will clamp the bar).
It is very important not to confuse the click of the clamps with the crunch of a broken motherboard.
Dual channel memory mode
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Daily use of a personal computer forces users to think about how to make it work better, faster, more productive. This is especially true for those who need it, such as gamers, or graphic designers, and so on.
You can improve your computer's performance by adding RAM. This can be done in various ways. Let's take a closer look at them. I already wrote an article about how to add power and performance to it. There is an interesting article about... But let's return to our topic.
How to add RAM to your computer yourself
RAM (an abbreviation for “Random Access Memory”) is a storage that contains temporary data about all open programs, applications, and games.
It was created in the form of a microcircuit attached to the . RAM stores data when the device is turned on. When the power is turned off, the information will be deleted.
Modern technologies allow users to perform several tasks at once while working on a computer. This is why it is important to know how to add RAM to your computer.
Additional modules
Not every computer can add RAM. Therefore, it is important to know what properties your PC has.
Go to your computer's properties to find out what RAM it has. This is not difficult to do: right-click on the computer icon and select “properties” in the drop-down window. Here you can see what operating system is installed.
Find out what motherboard your device has. You can view the information in the technical documentation of your device. This will allow you to understand how much RAM can be increased. You can find information about any motherboard model on the Internet.
Before installing additional modules, turn off the computer and open the side cover of the system unit. Installing an additional module is easy due to the fact that the slots have convenient clamps. With their help, you can easily remove the old module and install a new one.
Do not assemble the system unit immediately after installing the modules. First, make sure you did everything correctly. To do this, open the computer properties and see if additional RAM appears. If not, reinstall.
Additional features
If for some reason you cannot use the method described above, increase your RAM using other methods.
Ready Boost
This option allows you to add RAM to your computer using. This happens due to the fact that the flash drive stores information on running programs.
Install the flash drive into the device by right-clicking on it and selecting format.
After you have formatted the flash drive, click “properties” again.
Select Refdy Boost, check the box - use this device and set the desired memory size with the slider. You can set it to maximum.
You should not buy flash drives with a very large amount of memory - this will not bring results.
Reserves
You can add RAM thanks to your computer's reserves. This method is used on old computers.
Open your computer's system settings and launch Advanced Settings. To configure settings, use the “Performance” item.
Bottom line
As you can see, adding RAM to your computer is not difficult. Study the technical data sheet of your computer and start making improvements.
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In view of the ever-increasing demands of modern software, after some time the user may reconsider the issue of self-sufficiency in the configuration of his computer. As a rule, the owner of computer equipment makes the initial upgrade by increasing the RAM of his PC. At the same time, in addition to hardware upgrades (installation of additional memory sticks), the user can also use a number of software tools that allow optimizing the operation of the mentioned system component. Which, ultimately, will also have a positive impact on solving the question: “How to add it to a computer?” If you want to achieve the best results in the process of increasing the speed and performance of your OS, but do not quite understand how to do this and how much it may cost you, devote a few minutes of your time to reading this article. You will receive invaluable benefits from free access to the material provided.
So, the top solutions “How to add RAM to a computer?”
The methods covered (software and hardware RAM upgrade) can be used as solutions independent of each other or as correctly interacting solutions. It is worth noting that an integrated approach is preferable to a simple action - adding one or more to a free slot. A little later you will find out why.
Method number 1: Bought, installed, launched
For stable operation, the Windows 7 operating system requires 1.5 GB of RAM. As a rule, a purchased office PC has two gigabytes of RAM. For resource-intensive programs (video editors or computer games), this volume is not always enough. Consequently, the user has a need to expand the capabilities of the RAM. However, before implementing such a hardware upgrade scenario, you need to ask the question: “Is it possible to add RAM?” Since in the case when you use a 32-bit version of Windows, two or more gigabytes added to the current amount of RAM may simply not be used by the system due to some restrictions that are initiated by the BIOS firmware. Another unpleasant moment for the user may be the discrepancy between the purchased memory module and the standard motherboard connector. In other words, before going to the store, you need to know exactly what type of RAM is supported by your PC or laptop, as well as the technical characteristics of the installed memory.
Forced valuable retreat
A question that often interests a beginner: how much RAM costs, needs some specification. Since in modern computing technology there are several types of RAM: DDR, DDR2, DDR3, which, in turn, have a number of significant differences. Depending on the manufacturer and technical characteristics of the memory, the cost of the product varies. However, using the Kingston brand as an example, we can give some price comparison of different types of RAM produced.
- DDR2 for 1 GB - about 1400 rubles, and 2 GB will cost 2300 rubles;
- DDR3 2 GB will cost 1900 rubles, 4 GB - 3100 rubles, but 8 GB RAM of this type will cost 6400 rubles;
- SODIMM DDR2 2 GB - 1800 rubles;
- SODIMM DDR3 for 4 GB - 3200 rubles, and for 8 GB the price will be around 6200 rubles.
In addition to information about how much RAM costs, another one will also be useful to you: each type of RAM in its segment is divided according to technical characteristics: nominal volume, bus bandwidth and data exchange speed (frequency), which are performance indicators and the effectiveness of one or another modification. Laptop computers use similar memory, but slightly modified and designated SODIMM, which is essentially a type of RAM. By the way, the cost of “minimized” memory is practically no different from the stationary version. True, some modifications of laptop memory modules are still cheaper than their “desktop counterparts”.
Installing an additional memory stick
To equip with another RAM module, follow the recommendations below. As a result, you will receive a practical answer to the question: “How to add RAM to a computer.”
1). Disconnect from electrical power source.
2). Typically, access to the internal components of a PC is achieved by unscrewing a group of retaining screws that hold the protective cover of the device in place. Important: if you personally open the system unit, you will no longer have to rely on the guarantee. Since when opening the lid you will inevitably damage the service seals.
3). Install the new memory module in the appropriate slot. If there are several of them, pay attention to the markings of the connectors. Typically the correct sequence is indicated as a numeric value. In some cases, there is a special order of installed memory sticks. Interacting connectors (for example, 2 modules from one manufacturer and 2 from another) are painted in two different colors.
Please accept our first congratulations! Now you know how to properly add RAM.
Portable solution
Despite the design features of the laptop, the process of installing RAM is, in general, a fairly simple step... if you have a thin Phillips screwdriver.
1). Turn off your laptop and unplug it.
2). Remove the battery from the device.
3). Take a close look at the back of the laptop - a grooved or inscribed designation in the form of “DIMM” or “MEMORY” is where the RAM is located.
4). Unscrew the screws holding the cover and carefully pry up the edge of the protective casing.
5). Install the optional memory module and close the cover.
Method No. 2: flash drive as additional RAM capacity
On Windows 7 and its Ready Boost functional add-on, a hybrid option for expanding RAM resources will be considered.
Insert the flash drive into the USB port of your PC or laptop. Format the removable media partition. Place the marker over the flash drive shortcut and, while holding the right mouse button, call up the context menu, from which select “Properties”. In the window that opens, go to the Ready Boost tab. Activate the “Use this device” checkbox, then click “Apply” and “OK”.
As you can see, the question is: “How to add RAM to a computer?” can be resolved using this method.
Method No. 3: Optimizing RAM
By installing a special Memory Booster utility on your PC, you will significantly speed up your OS. Despite its small size and compact interface, the program easily copes with RAM optimization, freeing up PC RAM that is reserved by various software. This significantly improves system performance. The utility always runs in the background. So control over particularly “gluttonous” programs will be organized very vigilantly.
Method No. 4: OS virtual memory
This method is exclusively a software tool for increasing RAM. A standard Windows tool provides for expanding operational resources by allocating a certain disk space for the needs of temporary files. The special virtual OS partition should not be confused; these are fundamentally different services. generated OS has a value equal to the amount of installed RAM. When physical memory is insufficient, the system uses virtual amounts of RAM. The size of the paging file can be either reduced or increased. It all depends on the user's needs.
Practical solution
1). Open the Start menu.
2). Hold the marker on the “Computer” section and right-click to call up the context list, from which select “Properties”.
3). While in the “System” service window, activate the “Advanced settings” link on the left.
4). In the “Performance” block, click on the button.
5). Once in the Options window, click on the Advanced tab.
If you activate the "Edit" button, you will be given the opportunity to make changes to the default settings.
Finally
“So how much RAM can you add?” you ask. The meaning is strictly predetermined. It all depends on the functionality of your motherboard. The BIOS version also has a great influence on the “hardware perception” of the PC. Finally, a 64-bit operating system removes almost all restrictions on the amount of RAM. But, as you understand, in such a situation the OS is a secondary authority. Therefore, only the BIOS determines whether the motherboard is capable of “accepting” the desired amounts of RAM. So before upgrading your PC, study the technical data sheet of the computer.
