Guide to RAM Upgrades

A Simple Guide to Upgrading RAM to Speed Up Your Computer.

(Note: The following is an excerpt from The SelfGeek Manifesto Volume 1.)

When people find out I am an I.T. Consultant, their next question is often "How can I speed up my computer?" In The SelfGeek Manifesto, I cover many ways to speed up your computer. However, if I had to pick just one thing, I would say "The single easiest and most cost-effective thing you can do to speed up your computer is to ensure it has adequate RAM." 

Assuming your computer is virus and spyware free, the answer to your speed issues is often a simple, inexpensive RAM upgrade.  I constantly see people who have spent $1000 on a new computer and, after a few months, are disappointed in the performance.  Ironically, for just a few dollars more they could have purchased enough RAM to begin with.

What is the Perfect Amount of RAM?

The answer depends on your operating system.

• Windows XP - For most normal home and office workers, who spend their time surfing the web and working in word processing and spreadsheet document, I recommend a minimum of two Gigabytes of RAM. If your job includes CAD/CAM, video editing, Photoshop, or large database programming, go ahead and invest in more - up to four Gigabytes. Windows XP (32 bit, which is what most of us have) cannot address more than 3.5 Gigabytes without tweaking the registry, but if you plan to upgrade to Windows 7, go ahead and get four Gigs. (You'll use that extra Gig once you upgrade!) If you currently have a Gigabyte or less, you will probably be shocked at how much faster your computer will be if you upgrade to two or three Gigabytes. Best of all, the cost is approximately $40-50 per Gigabyte, and you can install it yourself!
• Windows Vista - Vista loves memory, and not in a good way. 32 bit Vista suffers from the same 3 Gig limitation as 32 bit Windows XP, but you definitely want to make sure you give it that three Gigs.
• Windows 7 - I also recommend you have 4GB of RAM for optimum performance in  Windows 7.

Next question: where do you buy your upgrade?  I recommend you stay away from "generic" RAM upgrades at your local electronics stores.  If you pick one up at a superstore or office supply store, you're buying a "one size fits all" component that may or may NOT be the best upgrade for your system.

A much better solution is to buy online and get a module specifically designed for your motherboard. Over the years I have purchased hundreds of RAM upgrades from Crucial.com - in addition to the best pricing, they are the only American-made RAM upgrades. Use the Crucial System Scanner to scan your machine and it will tell you exactly how much memory you have and give you all the options including pricing immediately. It will scan your system and present exactly the best upgrades, and with low prices and free shipping, it's a no brainer.

Installation

Installation of RAM upgrades is very simple. Generally there are two or four slots on the motherboard of your computer. Just open up your computer and look for one or more long chips mounted in a series of parallel slots. Usually there are releases on both ends of the slot. When you insert the new chip into the empty slot, the two released should click in place. The hardest thing for a first time RAM installer is pressing hard enough to seat the module in place. Make sure you have the module lined up correctly, and then press firmly until both sides softly click.

If you buy the module online, you will receive a how-to instructional guide, and there is more detailed information available on their website. If you still have questions, you can call their tech support team and they will walk you through your upgrade.

Page File

Once your RAM Upgrade is installed, you should adjust the size of your page file for optimum performance.  To get to the right place,

Right-click on My Computer (XP) or Computer (Vista) --> Properties --> Advanced tab --> (Performance) Settings --> Advanced Tab --> (Virtual Memory) Change.  You should be looking at a box like this:

Notice the value next to "Recommended" - in this case 3069MB.  Copy whatever that value is to the "Initial Size" and "Maximum Size" boxes.  You want those values to stay the same, so the pagefile is created as one continguous chunk and does not change size.  If it doesn't change size, it won't get fragmented, which will increase your performance.  Now click the OK button three times to get back to the desktop.  You will have to restart your computer to apply the change.

Summary

If your computer has gotten sluggish, a RAM upgrade may be exactly what you're looking for. This article has hopefully answered all your questions about how to buy and install the correct upgrade for your machine.