How hard is it to install RAM???
 

I have an older desk top I'd like to give a little boost with some added RAM, I've read all I can find on the subject and still have no real answer. Some say it's as easy as making toast others say If you don't know what you are doing, don't try.

Here's the low down.

D865PERL with (2) 256K sticks of Kingston 184 pin DDR PC2700 400 RAM
I'd like to add (2) 1g sticks of Kingston 184 pin DDR PC2700 400 RAM

Is it a simple plug and play operation or do they need to be in a specific order???

Should I remove the 256K sticks and install the 1g sticks in their slots and the put the 256K sticks in the two vacant slots??

Sorry if there isn't enough info to answer the question, tell me what you need to know and I'll answer the best I can.


TIA,

Brock


...

Well, first off there's no such thing as PC2700 400 ram. Make sure the ram you're buying is compatible with the motherboard of the PC. PC2700 is 333 MHz, not 400.

If it is compatible, it's easy. Just take the case off of the PC, push back the ram securing pegs, put in the new sticks, push the securing pegs back on, done. I wouldn't put in the older chips. The new ones will be fine.

Installing ram is like filling your own gas. It is extremely easy. Just google for a few guides, make sure you have the right ram, and make sure you ground yourself to the case to prevent static discharge. It should take you about 5 minutes start to finish.

There is no required plug in order just pop out the old sticks and put in the new. Be careful not to only touch the sides of the ram to prevent static and make sure you seat the ram in fully.

The biggest catch here will be to make sure you have compatible ram.

PC2700 refers to speed. In this case, 333MHz.
400 also refers to speed, but is used to refer to 400MHz sticks.

PC2700 = DDR333 = 333MHz ram.
PC3200 = DDR400 = 400MHz ram.

If you want to do some research, Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! has reviews. If you find some ram where the reviews mention your intel chipset, you're good to go.
Otherwise Upgrade Dell Computer Laptop Memory, IBM, Lenovo - identify RAM DDR DDR2 DDR3 modules has guaranteed compatibility. Just search based on your motherboard make/model.

To determine what kind of RAM you need, go to You can input information about your computer, or let them scan it for you.
Once you know what you need, then go buy it at

My bad, this is the RAM I intend to install

shop.kingston.com - Memory for your Desktop, Server, Workstation, Notebook, PDA, MP3 Player, Printer, Router and more.

It is PC3200 not PC2700

The board has 4 slots: (2) currently have 256K sticks in them now, I just want to ADD (2) 1 gig sticks to give me a total of 2.5 gigs of RAM.

My confusion comes from not completely understanding the order of the pairs of RAM. What would be the best order.

Leave the installed sticks and add the new sticks to the empty slots?
Remove the installed sticks, install the new sticks and install the old sticks in the other open slots?
Replace the old sticks with the new sticks and get rid of the old sticks?

There is nothing wrong with the old RAM, I just want more to help speed up the system a bit.

TIA,

Brock

Mixing 2 different ram quantities and different brands can lead to bad things happening like blue screens. I would replace the old sticks with the new ones. It'll be impossible to tell a difference between 2.5 and 2 GB so it doesn't matter anyway.

Another thing to check out is if your computer can handle the amount of ram you intend to put in. If it's really that old it may only be able to use 1 gig, and the rest is just going to sit there taking up space. For example the desktop I'm on can't take a 1 gig stick, only 512, and there are only 2 slots, so I've got what I've got and any extra ram won't do me any good.

Other than that, plugging ram in is about the easiest internal upgrade there is. If you order a dell they consider it a user upgrade (meaning you do it yourself) and you're still covered under warranty & all that, so it shouldn't worry you, just don't force anything that doesn't want to go.

He has the 865 chipset. He'll be fine with 2 gigs. Max is 4 gigs I believe.

Vigilante is correct, it's a D865PERL. 4 slots, max 1 gig per slot.

The installed RAM is the same series of Kingston valueram as the ram I want to buy.

Talking to an computer repair guy yesterday, he tells me that Kingston buys RAM from multiple manufacturers, tests it and sells it as their own. I understand that mixing manufacturers could be a bad thing, so I ordered a matched pair from them yesterday with the intent of installing the pair and removing the existing pair.

Now I'm reading some good things about Windows 7 and thinking about maxing out the RAM (4 gigs) and upgrading my XP to a 64bit Windows 7 release. If I'm reading your responses right, I need to match all (4) sticks and not just the pairs????

I've had several people suggest I just buy a new computer, but I have to say, this Dinosaur has been very good to me. Only 1 crash in 7 years (yes, it's 7 years old) and that was when I powered it down and moved it. Never have I had a problem when it was running, ever. The processor is running at 2.8 Ghz and smokes any of my friends "new" computers. I'll have to upgrade the graphics card to move up to 64 bit, so any recommendations there would be great. But over all this has been an outstanding machine and I see no need to give it up until the processors genies figure out how to run a system at light speed instead of 'electric' speed.



Thanks again for all the responses and for any further advise you care to share,


Brock



.....

One thing I didn't look up and can't recall from memory is whether your board can take 2x2GB sticks. If so, then get that over 4x1GB. If you get 4x1GB, then it may force the speed to 333MHz regardless of SPD chip designation. I do remember from that time that it was an issue, but I don't recall if it was an intel issue or not. I know it was an AMD issue.

You could go the 64-bit route but I'm telling you, you won't be able to tell a difference between 2 GB and 4 GB.

2 pairs of paired Kingston would work as long as they're the same type and model, but there are cases where ram that didn't come from the same package didn't like each other. RAm can be awfully finicky sometimes.

Also, I totally believe you that your PC is as fast as a new one. It's all about how it's configured -- a properly configured PC with 512 MB of ram can easily be faster than a brand new multicore PC with 2 GB.

I just popped into this thread to say I remember actually having a computer with a pair of 256K (not 256M, like the OP clearly means) SIMMs. Ah the good old days.

HA! Good catch Twisted, I completely missed that. That's some funny shit, can you even boot a calculator on 256K any more???

I remember playing with some of the first Apple builds courtesy of the computer science department at BYU (friends dad worked there) complete with green screen and flashing prompt. And have fond memories of my first Atari computer, programming in Basic to get it to scroll 'OZZY RULES!' all over the screen. It was Rad dude! Oh, and the printer was 3" about the size of a cash register receipt. I think it had a 40 Meg hard drive. It was awwesome.

---------- Post added at 11:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 AM ----------

HA! Good catch Twisted, I completely missed that. That's some funny shit, can you even boot a calculator on 256K any more???

I remember playing with some of the first Apple builds courtesy of the computer science department at BYU (friends dad worked there) complete with green screen and flashing prompt. And have fond memories of my first Atari computer, programming in Basic to get it to scroll 'OZZY RULES!' all over the screen. It was Rad dude! Oh, and the printer was 3" about the size of a cash register receipt. I think it had a 40 Meg hard drive. It was awesome.

i love installing ram because of the dual click once seated tactile/audio user interface indication response.
certainty, in an uncertain world.

Yes, you need a Ph.D and depending on field you may need a few certifications like A+, MSCE, Dell, and a few others :p

Some motherboards require RAM to be installed in pairs, as you are doing now. Otherwise, there is no requirement to match the brand or speed of each pair, but the system _might_ run at the speed of the lowest pair. If they are all the same speed, they can be different brands if necessary.

You can easily tell the difference between 2 GB and 2.5 GB if you open many programs at once, it will be faster to switch between them as they can all be loaded into main memory at the same time.

Personally, I buy all my ram through cruical.com and I've never had a problem. Just remember to de-static yourself several times whilst playing with the internals of your computer, by touching some grounded metal (like a radiator).

Thank you Everyone

I received and installed the 2 gigs of RAM from Kingston a few days ago, all is well.

Yes, it was so easy a Monkey could do it.

Process in total; turn off computer, remove 8 screws, touch tower, blow out interior and clean fans, touch tower, remove old RAM, touch tower, install new RAM, close tower, turn on computer. End task. Total time just under 12 minutes (it was very dirty in there first time the case had been opened in 7 years).

:thumbsup:

Now it is significantly faster coming out of standby and starting any of my oft used programs.

WooHoo!

Now if I can figure out what a Graphics Adapter is I can upgrade to a 64bit version of Windows 7 when it's released.

Thank you once again,


Brock