Computer Bytes - No. 51 Increasing your computer's memory is an easy way to boost its performance. However, before you do this, there are a few things to consider. The motherboard is one of the considerations. The other is the CPU. The CPU will have a speed rating which is often the rating of the computers processor in gigahertz. The CPU also has a second rating called the front side bus. This refers to the speed the processor can communicate with the memory and other components. The motherboard interacts with both the CPU and the memory and is designed to function with specific sizes and types of memory. For that reason, before looking for memory make sure you know how many memory modules the motherboard can handle as well as the speed of the memory. To determine how much memory is in your current computer you will need to examine the BIOS or operating system. If you have Windows this can be accomplished by opening the Control Panel > System Properties. Also, turn OFF the computer; open the CPU case making sure you are grounded; then establish the number of memory modules installed and how many memory slots are remaining. If all the slots are full, you may need to replace some modules with larger ones if the system can support the exchange. Next determine what type of modules your computer supports. Review the owner's manuals that came with the computer or motherboard. There should you should find information regarding the specifications for memory. This is extremely important because it will tell you exactly the size, type and number of memory modules supported. If you are unable to find this information, check with the manufacturer, retailer or as a last resort take one of the existing memory modules with you when you go to purchase the new memory module(s) as well as all of the information about your computers operating system. When looking for memory, consider its speed. The memory speed will set the rate at which the CPU can process the data. While it is possible to use memory with either a higher or lower rating than the computer's bus speed, this is not recommended. If the memory is faster than what the computer can handle, the result will be unused potential. If the memory is slower than the computers bus speed, the result will be lost performance of the system. So while you may not be able to get the exact memory speed, get the best match you can. If you are replacing the memory yourself, be sure the configuration of the pins is exactly the same as in your computer, and that the metal coating is the same. In other words if the pins are tin, the new memory must have tin pins; if the pins are gold, the new pins must be gold. If not, oxidation may occur and damage your computer. This is a brief overview on computer memory. For more information visit www.about.com > Computing & Technology > PC Hardware / Reviews. Moncrief Web2 Home Page Moncrief Web Design Computer Bytes Index Web Design | Search Engine Optimization | Site Maintenance & Management | Request Information | About Us ~ Sample Sites Send Us an Email | Home Page Copyright 2007-2008. All rights reserved. Computer Bytes articles may not be reprinted, published, quoted, copied, or used in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of David Moncrief.