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For
Faster PC Performance, Bulk Up Your PC’s RAM
For a low cost and the potential to dramatically boost your system’s
performance, nothing beats adding additional memory.
With memory at
ridiculously low prices there is no reason to skimp on this vital part of
your system. The demand by applications and operating systems for increased
RAM continues. For Windows XP alone, 128 MB is recommended. If you open a
few applications it no longer seems ridiculous that your PC should not be
equipped with 512 MB or more. Adding RAM makes your PC work better because
it makes data instantly available. Too little memory can throttle the
performance of even a new PC with a fast CPU. The addition of RAM is one of
the most cost-effective ways to boost an older system’s performance.
Most recently made PC’s use Dual In-Line Memory Modules to hold RAM. The
most common are PC-100 and PC-133 SDRAM DIMMS. The newer systems are
beginning to use PC2100 DDR (double data rate) SDRAM, which runs at 266 MHz
and to top if off some PC’s are using Rambus modules (RIMMs) which have
speeds up to 800 MHz If your PC is four or five years old it is probably
designed for 66-MHz SDRAM, but you should still be able to use 100-MHz or
133-MHz SDRAM modules. Although they won’t work at full speed, they remain
the best value.
Summary
Benefits: Increased system performance, ability to keep additional
concurrent applications open, smoother graphics and video editing.
Cost: 128 MB ~$25, 256 MB ~$50, 512 MB ~125 (prices as of 2/15)
Time required to install: 15 to 30 minutes
Expertise: Intermediate
Vendors: Crucial Technology, Kingston Technology, PNY Technologies,
Simple Technology, Viking Components
Frequently Asked Questions
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