Q&A for How to Install RAM

The more RAM you have, the smoother your experience will be. However, if you're just doing some basic online browsing and light picture editing or something, then 8 GB is going to be totally fine. If you're doing AutoCAD, 3D modelling, or some other kind of crazy CPU-intensive work on the computer, then you want 32 GB if you can support it.

If your computer won't boot and it just loads an error message, that's a big sign. The other sign is if you get a blue screen on startup. Those are the two big signs that your RAM is faulty.

It's not quite that simple, although it isn't super complicated. You have to check your motherboard to make sure you have open slots; that's step one. Then, you have to make sure you get RAM cards that fit those slots.

The higher, the better. 8 gigabytes is a good amount for most people.

Usually, computers work best with even number of memory sticks. If you want to install more memory sticks, you should keep then an even number, so either add one more stick (preferably same brand/model) so you have 2 memory sticks, or add 3 more sticks, so you have 4 in total.

Changing your computer's RAM doesn't solve all of your problems. It can slightly (or even significantly) affect the computer's perceived calculating speed, however, your speed will always be limited by the processor's capabilities. Changing your computer's RAM is irrelevant to downloading things. If you are asking "will I need to download content to use new RAM" then the answer is no. Your PC may function better with more (or replaced) RAM, however, if there are unrelated issues with your PC, then because they are unrelated changing the RAM is pointless.

Check your motherboard or computer's specifications. Some sites that specialize in RAM sales will have tools that allow you to input make/model to inform you which would be appropriate for your system.

While in theory, you can install different sizes of RAM of the same speeds; however, you may find that this affects performance or causes lockups or crashes. It's advisable to pair the same types of RAM.

If your computer will not turn on after you have installed new RAM, there's a good chance that you either accidentally installed incompatible RAM or the RAM you installed is faulty. Double-check the RAM that you installed to make sure that it is compatible with your motherboard. If the RAM should be compatible, make sure that you've installed it as a matching pair. Finally, try returning the new RAM and getting a replacement, as RAM comes broken fairly often.

If your computer won't boot up and gets stuck on the BIOS screen, the BIOS may be having problems with your new RAM. Open your BIOS settings menu and make sure that your BIOS is set to automatically detect hardware changes. If this doesn't fix your problem, your RAM may be incompatible, faulty, or improperly installed.

Yes, you can, if your new computer motherboard is compatible with RAM from your old computer.

They do sell anti-static wrist bands (just search "anti-static wristbands" on Amazon) which can allow you to be grounded while working on your PC, or simply touch something metal (i.e. a power supply), this will help you to be grounded.

Yes. The more GB that a RAM has, the better performance your computer will have.

RAM is short-term memory that loses all of its data (unless you're a forensics expert) when you remove power from it. Anything that needed to be stored long-term has been done by your computer and placed onto the hard drive.

If your computer is Windows 10, there'll be an error number when the blue screen appears. Contact Microsoft and give them the error number, they should tell you what's wrong. It's not always the RAM, it might be a software failure or hardware malfunction.

No. RAM is a resource and doesn't require anything special. Just install it onto the motherboard and you should be fine.

In theory,yes, but that would require you actually making physical modifications to the board, since it was made to only hold one RAM stick.

You should refer to your PC or motherboard manual (or search it online) and see what error corresponds to the beeping pattern, as it has failed power-on self-test (POST). Troubleshoot accordingly, though it sounds like the RAM is incompatible with your motherboard. Ensure that the RAM you're installing is the proper speed and size for your computer's maximum capacity, that it's seated properly, that it's in the correct slot, and if your computer requires RAM in pairs, that you're installing two. You may have to remove old RAM if you're trying to install it in conjunction with new.

If your computer is not working after installing more RAM, remove the new RAM, and put back the old RAM. If your computer is working again with old RAM, start adding more RAM in small increments, and check to be sure your computer is working after each bit added.

The burning smell might have been your motherboard's memory slot burning out. You can either try using the maximum amount of RAM in the remaining slots or replacing your motherboard.

You can. 8 GB RAM is enough. But, if you want, you can make it have 16 GB or 64 GB.

Absolutely. Usually the recommended amount for most mid range PC games is around 8GB RAM. This can vary of course, but the more RAM, the better your machine will perform.

You cannot physically add slots to a motherboard, no. You would need to either upgrade your mother board, or compact your RAM. Namely, if you have 2 slots with 2 4GB sticks in and want to upgrade to 16GB, you would buy 2 8GB sticks.

If your computer does not detect the RAM, then make sure that the clock speeds on the RAM aren't too high for the motherboard. If this is the case, older motherboards won't automatically dial down the RAM, so to fix this, either get a newer motherboard as well or get lower clock speed RAM.

Unplug the RAM from the motherboard and get a new RAM that is compatible with the motherboard.

First, you should always use the same size RAM, stick together in your PC, or else you won't be able to run dual channel, which is much faster. Second, no, it doesn't matter the order of the sticks since you won't be running dual-channel memory.

2GB is enough for internet browsing, and maybe some very old games, but not much more than that.

When installing RAM, you can add in two more 16GB sticks (ensure they are the same speed, and are supported by your board at that speed). However, you must ensure that you are using dual channel slots. If you look at your board, you can see that the 4 slots are one of two colours. Ensure the 8GB sticks are in the slots with one colour, and the 16GB goes into the different colour. If your board doesn't have colour coded slots, then install them in this sequence: 8GB 16GB 8GB 16GB, as this is where the channels are.

Don't even try running Windows 10 with 256 MB RAM. First of all, a laptop that is old enough to be taking 256 MB sticks is probably too old to run Windows 10 at a usable, stable rate. Secondly, the 256 MB boost is really not going to bring any noticeable change. Thirdly, Windows 10 would be unusable with Windows 10.