Adding more memory is one of the best things to do to help with computers performance, and it’s not hard to do. Most older p.c.’s only come with 128MB to 256MB, You should take your memory up to 512MB this should be able to run almost all software and games. First you need to know what you have now, 128MB or 256MB and is it done with 1 or 2 sets of modules ( I.E. 128MB X 128M= 256MBs). You need to know frequency witch is the speed it runs at (I.E. 66,100,266.333,400MHz) and what type (I.E. SDRAM,DDR) and so on. Not hard to find out if you don’t know, back to the CPUID program again it will tell you about your computers memory also. It will give you the frequency , manufacturer, type, size, and how many modules are in your system. Before I move on I have brought up this CPUID program again, if you want to check it out go to the Internet and type in ..CPUID or CPU-Z both take you to the same site. The site will tell you all the program can do, and all the downloads are free and take no time download at all.

You will also need to know what memory configurations you can use (I.E 256MB X 3= 768MBs) and so on. In most system you can mix the size (or MB’s) of the modules for different configurations up to a maximum limit for your motherboard. You need to check you user guide or technical manual for this information. If you don’t have these as the computer was passed on to you, or you got it used. Just go to the manufacturers web site. Most computer manufacturers have a data base for all this information and them some. Look on there site for support + downloads, there you can find online publications.

All the product information should be there including user guides, technical manuals and more. In these you can find the memory configuration table, system-board features, safety information, component-handling guidelines and diagrams to show you ware everything is on your motherboard the location of your DIMM slots ( the slots that hold your memory modules).

You should get all the information you can before you buy anything it will work out better for you in the long run. I will tell you way, I have an IBM 300PL made some time around 1999. The inside cover of my tower has the memory configuration table that tells me the highest I can go with my memory is 384MB’s that’s with 3 X 128MB modules. When going to buy the modules was told I could install 3 X 256MB modules for a total of 768MB. I checked with other places and was told the same thing, want to IBM’s site it said 3-128MB modules. Started looking in more of IBM’s publications and found the model number of my computer would take 3 X 256MB modules for the 768MB total, two times what I was going to install. So do your research before buying.

As far as where to buy your new memory modules any place that sells computers or on line. I did a lot of checking and the prices are about the same everywhere. Buy name brand like Viking ,Ultra , Kingston, almost all of these come with some kind of lifetime warranty (Stay Away From off Brands).

The price depends on what you want the MB size and type. To give you an idea for SRRAM memory 128MB $35.00 to $40.00, 256MB $71.00 to $80.00, 512MB $94.00 to $119.00 a little less for DDR memory.