Adding Computer Memory

Adding computer memory is an easy way to increase the performance of your machine. It is really simple to find the amount of memory in your computer.

Start>Control Panel>Click System and Security. Under system, press the View amount of RAM and processor speed. (picture)

For the average home user, 1 to 3GB's is enough to provide good performance and speed.

Most computers since 2007 have that amount of memory built-in at the factory.

If your computer has less than 1GB of memory, adding computer memory will make a difference in how your computer runs.

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I have increased the amount of memory on 3 different computers. I will share with you my experience with each one. After I explain the changes, you can decide whether adding computer memory will be beneficial for you.

The first memory upgrade was done on a desktop with 128MB's of memory. Yes, this was an old computer. It was using XP as it's operating system. I increased the memory to 356MB's. I more than doubled the memory on that computer.

The change it made on this computer was pretty drastic! The speed increase was very noticeable. I would estimate that it improved about 30%!

This is the first time that I had ever attempted to change the memory sticks in a computer. I did look through the instructions briefly before I started the task.

It was completed without any problems. I did go slowly so it took some time to finish the job. Overall, I felt comfortable through the process. I was happy because my computer speed improved dramatically and I was able to do the job easily.

Adding computer memory to this very computer that I am writing this article was next on my list.

It is a E-machine desktop that came with 1GB of memory. It's operating system is Vista Home Premium edition.

I added 1GB of memory only to see if there would be a difference. It was running well when I made the change.

The installation went without a hitch. The improvement I was seeking did not show up. It ran the same as before. I couldn't sense any change at all. It still did run well, just not faster.

I left the memory change intact. It only set me back some $40 or so. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't do it. There was no reason to make the change.

The third attempt to change memory on a computer was done on my daughter's laptop. She runs XP with 1GB of memory. She adds a lot of music and pictures to her computer all the time. I thought, certainly, it will make a big difference on her computer.

Again, the installation was a snap. Adding computer memory to her machine was performed without any problem. The performance difference was exactly like my previous installation. NO change!

I was a little disappointed that there wasn't at least some noticeable change. Oh well. I just left the new memory module in her computer.

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The lesson to be learned is that 1 to 3GB's of memory is just about right for most home computer users. Performing a memory upgrade has only worked when the existing memory was less than 1GB.

Since most computer these days come with 2 or 3GB's of memory, there doesn't seem to be a need to increase the size capacity of your computer memory unless it is an older computer with less than 1GB of memory.

And, with the increase to 64-bit systems which increases the efficiency of the computer, memory upgrades may become unnecessary in the near future.

But, there are still many computers with less than 1GB of memory. What follows are directions for installing more computer memory for your desktops as well as laptops.

Desktop Computer Memory

Laptop Computer Memory

or return from Adding Computer Memory to Computer Clean Up Tools

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