| <<< Which Parts |
| Getting Started |
| Motherboards |
| CPUs |
| RAM Memory |
| Power Supply |
| Video Card |
| Drive Jumpers |
| Drive Install |
| PCI Expansions |
| Boot Up |
| Peripherals |
| Choosing and Installing Software >>> |
| Optimizing and Overclocking your PC >>> |
RAM
The processing memory of your computer is called RAM (Random Access Memory). It helps to think of all the computations the processor makes as a queue, the more RAM the longer the queue. Installing and upgrading RAM is very easy, but installing what you'll need the first time will save you money should you need to upgrade later.
Note: If you plan on using photoshop, you'll want a minimum of a Gig of RAM. Photoshop is notorious for being a memory hog!
Next, you want to install your RAM (random access memory). Start by pushing on the levers (latches) on both sides of the DIMM socket so that they pivot out.
Put the RAM module in the socket. Line up the notch in the center of the module with the one in the center of the socket, making sure to insert it the right way. Press the module until both levers go into the notches on both sides of the module. Although this does require a fair bit of force, don't over do it or you may break the RAM module, or worse the motherboard, then its back to step one.
Start adding RAM at "Bank 0" or "DIMM 1". If you don't start from "Bank 0" or "DIMM 1" the system at start-up will think there isn't any RAM and not boot.
On newer motherboards with 4 slots, you'll see alternating colors. These colors are for optimizing dual channel RAM. For example, slot 1 is blue, slot 2 is black, slot 3 is blue, slot 4 is black. If you wanted to put 1 gigabyte of RAM in your PC, it would be best to use dual channel 512MBx2 chips and put the first 512MB chip in slot 1, and the 2nd chip in slot 3 (the two slots that are blue) - leaving slot 2 empty. This will give you better performance, vs. putting 1GB in slot 1, or two 512MB chips in slot 1 and 2.
Corsair
memory - 512 MB - DIMM 184-pin - DDR ( CMX512-3200C2 )
