When selecting RAM for your system, you have to first understand what RAM is. Random Access Memory is computer storage, similar to your hard drive, it may be smaller, but it is much faster. The random means that your data will be available to you on a constant. There is no need to wait for the data to be located; it is always available and ready to be used.
There are a variety of different types of RAM. Your computer’s motherboard will be equipped to handle either one or possibly two different types, but you have to be sure you know what is compatible with your board before you buy new memory.
DDR or SDRAM is most likely what you will be shopping for. DDR is faster than SDRAM and has available speed options of DDR 1, DDR 2 and DDR 3.
So- Dimm is laptop memory and has all the same specifications as DDR desktop computer memory but comes in a smaller size to fit into laptops and net tops.
The faster the Mhz is on the memory, the faster your system will process data. You have to again look at your motherboards specifications and ensure it can handle the speed of the RAM. Higher speed RAM will work in systems that are not capable of running at that speed, it will just not get the full effect of the memory’s performance.
The size of the memory will also increase your systems performance. The more memory you have installed, the more data that can be stored for instant use and data processing times will greatly increase. You do have to be sure that the amount of memory you are installing in your system that it is capable of reading it. If you install 6GB of memory in a 32 bit system that is only capable of reading 4GB, then you have lost 2GB. The memory will still work; you just won’t get the full benefit of what you paid for.
So, when you are looking for RAM, consider what type of operating system you are using, 32 bit or 64 bit and the amount of RAM that your motherboard will be capable of reading before you waste your money on larger high speed RAM that is just wasted in your system.
If you are using your PC for gaming, you will most likely want to ensure you run a 64 bit operating system environment and that you install as much RAM as possible. The more memory you have installed on your system the better it will run, the faster it will perform and the less chance of lock up due to insufficient memory you will have.
A good idea is to bring your old RAM with you to ensure you get the right type and have your motherboard manual ready to examine your options for larger, faster pieces of RAM.
