[Stupid question]

I asked a few questions recently in a thread about how to make my computer run faster, I was told that 256MB of RAM was not enough, and that I should have at least 512. Anyway, I'm not sure where to purchase the RAM itself or if all RAM is created equal. Furthermore, my computer actually only came with 128MB (on 2 "sticks"), but a friend upgraded it to 256MB (refurbished) (on 4 "sticks") for me.

My computer is a DELL 8100, I took the side off the CPU and looked at where the RAM goes in and there are 4 slots, but they are all full. I'm thinkin' these sticks are 64MB each, but I've no more room to add any, so can I just buy 4 sticks with 128MB of RAM each? If I do that, what could I do with the old RAM? Is it worth anything?

Also, pertaining to fans... Are the factory installed fans usually enough? And on the subject of dust, man, it was a dust FACTORY in there, I blew it out a bit, but I'm thinkin' I should get some compressed air or something, is that necessary?

Thanks in advance for any advice .

[/Stupid question]

 

Hope this helps...

First off, memory does not increase the operation speed of your computer. What memory does, is it allows you to load and run more programs at once. It's handy when you're running big software programs. If you are running windows XP you really want to have 128megs minimum, 256 would probably make it operate a little smoother though.

On a side note, I would also recommend doing a defragmentation of your hard drive. Just go to start menu, accessories, tools, then defrag. That helps on the speed at which programs and file are found and opened.

To make your computer run faster is a combinations of things, such as the speed of your cpu, your motherboard bus speed (data travel), and your memory speed. Make sure you are buying the correct ram for your computer, such as SDRAM or DDR, which ever is necessary. You'll also need to buy the correct speed of ram, such as 100/133/2100 MHz...etc. You can find out what kind of ram you need by visiting the dell site or knowing how fast your bus speed is.

I personally think that you don't need 512megs of memory unless you are running memory intesive software such as Adobe Photoshop or other editors, or possibly some games, such as the new SIMCITY.

I would personally go with say 256/384megs, that should be more than enough. You will also save more money by buying one 256 or 512 meg strip instead of buying 4 128's. Also, make sure you are not excedding the maximum amount of memory for your computer. Some of the older computers can only handle a maximum of 512 megs total and some can only handle 256megs in each slot. Just check with dell on this.

Don't throw away that ram either, depending on what kind it is. You could always use the extra 3 slots for those 64's and throw in a 256 in the fourth slot. Possibly even sell them on ebay if they are decent quality memory.

The factory fans are adequate for average home computer use. Most people who use larger fans like this are overclocking there cpu's or have extensive amount of hardware in there comps and need more airflow. You'll be fine with what you have.

It's no problem on cleaning out that dust, you can use one of those small computer air compressed bottles they sell or just blow really hard w/ your mouth..haha. Either way is fine. Unless your computer is really caked up w/ dust you have nothing to worry about.

Hope this helps.

--John

 

You could try seeing if the shop owner will swap or trade your old RAM but it's a lot cheaper than it has been in years past so they may be less inclined to do that these days. You're probably best off keeping it and buying two 256 MB (or greater) sticks which will leave 2 slots free for future upgrade.

It was once vital to ensure that all memory cards installed contained the same speed chips (practically had to be made in the same batch) due to parity errors. I don't think this is such an issue these days so you may be able to use some of your old RAM with your new stuff if you go for 1 or 2 cards instead of four.

If the price is right get as much as you can afford

Also... Dell warranties sometimes specify that if you open the case you technically void your warranty. You may have noticed they design some systems where one memory slot is accessible without opening the case while the other slots are only accessible from inside the box.

 

Whoa John, you da' man!

My computer stats are:
256MB RAM
1.3 GHz
20G HD

I do use Photoshop a LOT, and I've got XP Pro. I save a lot of photos so I defrag at least once a week, and I've got my history set to 0 as well as my temporary internet files.

Guess I'll go to the DELL site and see what kind of memory I need and go from there. I wonder if the refurbished RAM I have is as good as new RAM? I wonder if DELL RAM is good RAM? Hmmm...never thought about it 'til now. Overclocking the Processor eh'...hmmm...interesting.

 

Thanks Muz, my case has been opened long ago .

I have another stupid question if you guys are up for it...lol. Is there one place you can go on your computer that will tell you everything about it? For example, if I want to find my OS or processor speed, I right-click on My Computer, go to properties, and the general tab has the info, but some OS's don't show that info there. I remember screwing around one day and I accessed a screen somewhere that gave me every shred of information about my computer like how much HD space I had left and everything, but I can't remember how to get back there . Any ideas?

 

And that's another thing, optimizing one's computer has much to do with what starts when you start the computer, right? So, I go to START, RUN, MSCONFIG, STARTUP, and I get...

navapw32
WFXSWTCH
wfxsnt40
qttask
CFD
tgcmd
tbctray
WkDetect
msnmsgr


Nothing else selected. Now, how the hell am I supposed to know what all this crap is? It's obvious what the last one is, but for the rest is there some sort of map? Some place I can go on my computer to know what the codes stand for?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2Kguy
[B]And that's another thing, optimizing one's computer has much to do with what starts when you start the computer, right?

 

Great, now I know what they are, now I have to find out if I need them or not.

I don't suppose I need the qttask, CFD, tgcmd, or tbctray in my start-up menu, I'll just take them out...lol. Thanks Muz!

 

I also found the system information I was looking for, it was under...system information . The problem is, not every OS has such a utility, XP is the first one I've owned that has it...

Start
Programs
Accessories
System Tools
System Information

I'm rambling again...