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TUESDAY 19 AUGUST
Why upgrade your RAM?
Why upgrade your memory?
I’m often asked for help to upgrade and speed up an aging computer, these days we’re all trying to save money and we want a cost affective way of getting our old computer back in the game. With a little attention that old paperweight makes a great home office computer or a great computer for the child in your life to do their homework or perhaps more likely play games! Either way a memory upgrade is a cost effective step in the right direction :)
Firstly what is memory?
When computer users and technicians refer to Memory they are specifically referring to RAM (Random Access Memory) and is a key component to the smooth running of your computer. A lack of Memory or the smallest of memory related issues can cause all manner of unusual problems and erratic behaviours, from slow performance to the more severe Blue Screen!
Blue Screen Example:
Do I need a memory upgrade?
A memory upgrade is an excellent way to breathe life into a slow or aging computer and is usually the first place to look when considering upgrades especially when speed is a concern. Granted this is not the only place to look but is certainly the cheapest place and makes a much more noticable improvement even with the smallest of upgrades, compare the cost of other components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and you'll see why we're starting with a memory upgrade :)
Ascertaining the primary purpose of this computer should be your first step, will it be used for your home office, playing the latest PC games or simply a media PC? Browsing the Internet and typing up documents for example won’t require much in the way or RAM but if you're intending to play the latest computer games your box will appreciate a substantial increase. For this reason it's always a good idea when buying software and games to check the recommended hardware requirements on the back of the box, if you have less than the recommended you may find the application dosen't perform as well as you like.
How much will it cost?
Unfortunately the cost will depend on a number of factors which come down to the amount or size of the memory you want installing and the type of memory and to make it a little more frustrating there are a few types to choose from. It's also important to remember that if you're planning to upgrade an old computer you may end up paying through the nose to install older types of memory, in which case a shop around ebay might be the best place to start. If it's getting expensive then a new motherboard/computer might be the most cost effective choice especially if this is your primary computer.
Finding out what type you need can sometimes be tricky, you’ll either need to contact the computer vendor and ask, search through the motherboard manual and decipher the sometimes baffling text or contact the motherboard manufacturer via their website, alternatively just drop me an email and I'll endeavour to assist.
The latest lines of RAM such as the DDR2 and DDR3 types are compartively quite cheap and the difference between buying 3GB and 4GB is usually marginal, the more you can get for your computer the better as not only will the performance increase be substational you'll also help to future proof your computer and extend its life further.
Buying the cheaper lines from reputable RAM manufacturers such as Corsair and Kingston is usually the best way to go, you’ll get a great price, great reliability and a nice warranty to boot :) Remember if you're just after some advice, drop me an email, I'm always happy to help :)
Need help buying and installing your RAM?
If you live in or around my catchment area and don’t want the hassle of finding the RAM and fitting it yourself then I’ll be more than happy to source you your memory, come to your home and fit your upgrade. Check out my rates on the Service page.
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