Upgrading a Computer, Part 4
RAM, or memory for your computer is probably the best upgrade. It’s been a while since there was a major change in the chip (CPU) that runs your computer apart from some tweaks in speed and the number of simultaneous operations it can perform.
Those tweaks can be important if you’re pushing the envelope of performance, such as high end video editing or creation or the latest in games. But for the average user, nothing adds extra ‘zing’ to the day-to-day as RAM. And it’s cheap.
You do, however, need to be careful about what memory you buy. There are different kinds available and only one type will fit the slots in your computer – even if they look similar. For example, there is a little notch in the side of the RAM module where the gold (sometimes silver) contacts are – that notch is in different locations for different types of memory.
Next is, will new memory fit in the machine? A number of manufacturers will fill the slots for memory. Look inside your computer. (go on, don’t be afraid, lift that lid) There’s a big flat board with lots of chips on it, usually will a big fan or maybe a large metal object with lots of vertical vanes sticking up – that’s your main board and the thing under the fan or heat sink (the thing with the vanes) is your CPU or main processing unit.
Look for something like the picture above – they are your memory modules. You will have two or more slots with those modules in them. If you have a slot or two with no memory module in it (them) you’re in luck. Upgrading for you will be a matter of buying new modules and slotting them in.
But if there are no free slots, you will need to replace what you have with new modules. In the next post I will cover more about replacing or upgrading memory
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