Memory installs from only $40
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Memory (RAM)
| DDR2 DIMM |
for Newer Desktop PCs |
| DDR1 DIMM | for Older Desktop PCs |
| DDR2 SO-DIMM | for Newer Laptops |
| DDR1 SO-DIMM | for Older Laptops |
| How much RAM do I want? | |
| What type of RAM do I need? | |
- Contact us for a quote on other types of PC RAM, e.g. ECC, DDR3, SD-RAM
- All brand name RAM includes Lifetime Warranty! Generic RAM has 1 Year Warranty
- Installation only $40 (drop-off to Belconnen) or free with any other computer service
- Nearly all computer RAM kept in stock, if not then approx 2-3 days lead time
How much Memory (RAM) do I want?
We recommend a minumum of 1GB RAM for XP and 2GB RAM for Vista
Memory (RAM) is what your computer uses to store data that it is currently working on - it is similar to your brain's short term memory. Every time you open a file or run a program (including when a program starts up automatically after loading Windows), the data is read from your hard drive (slow, large storage) and copied into your RAM (fast, small storage) so that the computer can quickly work on it.
RAM is a very different kind of storage place compared to a hard disk because the hard disk is used as a (more) permanent means of storage and is designed to keep your information even while your computer is turned off, like writing in a notepad so you can read it again later. The hard disk is where all you important data is saved - all your documents as well as Windows and all your programs, and is usually assigned as (at least) the C: drive in a Windows computer.
RAM is a volitaile (temporary) storage place that your computer requires to work on it's currently running processes (program instructions running on your computer). If the power is cut then RAM loses all its current data - this is why you can lose data if you have not saved and written your file back to the hard disk drive, it's like forgetting something because you didn't write it down in time!
RAM is extremely fast, but also very expensive compared to a hard drive. Luckily, you don't need as much RAM as you do hard drive space because you don't usually load everything off you hard drive into your RAM when using your computer! (and if you did then you'd have to only load one part at a time...)
RAM is usually measured in single digit GB or gigabytes (1GB = 1024MB or 1024 megabytes). Older computers may have less than 1GB, e.g. 512MB or 256MB. Hard disk drives are usually measured in 100s of gigabytes, with 1 terabyte drives now also available (approx 1000 gigabytes). An average new computer in 2008 has, for example, 1GB-4GB RAM and one or more 750GB hard drives (multiple hard drives are great for backups or if you simply have too much data!). |
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When your computer runs out of RAM then it will usually slow down or may show errors or even crash. A tell-tale sign of a computer without enough memory is that it is very slow and the hard drive is being used excessively (which you can see from the (usually) red light on the front of the PC or you may also hear the drive) and has been given the term "thrashing".
This is because Windows uses a swap file or page file which is a special file on the hard drive that Windows pretends is RAM. This is usually fine, except when the computer runs out of RAM which then causes it to constantly swap data back and forth between the RAM and the hard drive. This is because the computer looks for things it doesn't need in RAM right this second, but then ends up loading it back in RAM moments later and the computer slows down to a crawl. But without this swap file Windows would simply crash if it ran out of memory.
In the notepad example, this is similar to running out of your own short term memory and having to temporarily write things down (e.g. a subtotal), which will be used later and finally get you to the end result. Maybe someimes you even also forget some parts, but at least your brain usually doesn't completely crash when this happens!
We recommend a minumum of 1GB RAM for XP and 2GB RAM for Vista
Most people recommended at a minimum of 1GB RAM for Windows XP computers, with 2GB and more becomming common especially with DDR2 RAM so cheap these days! If your Windows XP computer has 512MB of RAM or less then you will likely see an increase in speed if you upgrade your RAM.
For Windows Vista then 2GB RAM at least is recommended - double the amount compared to XP. If your Windows Vista computer has only 1GB RAM or less then you may not be seeing the full potential of your computer's speed until you add more RAM.
Just 512MB is usually recommended as a minimum for Windows 2000, though this 8 year old operating system is rapidly approaching its end of life as Microsoft is discontinuing support in 2010 - with Office 2000 expiring even sooner!
What type of RAM do I need?
The most common type of RAM is DDR2 RAM which is used by most computers made in the last few years (e.g. Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD AM2 socket), but there are many PCs still in use today that use older DDR1 RAM (also known simply just as DDR) including most Intel Pentium 4 and AMD Athlon XP based systems. Some very old PCs rarely seen are also still using the very old SD-RAM which was most common in 100MHz and 133MHz.
DDR3 RAM exists but is still a lot more expensive and it is hard to justify the excessive cost (especially since the first few generations are actually slower than DDR2 because of higher timings even though it runs at a higher MHz speed). DDR3 will become popular in 2009 and 2010 and only then will prices finally drop to a comparable price. New memory such as DDR3 also requires an upgrade in motherboard which means it can take years to get popular as people finqlly upgrade or replace their computers.
Desktop computers and laptops also use different types of memory. Desktop PCs use DIMMs and Laptop PCs use SO-DIMMs. Laptop SO-DIMMs are about half the physical size of Desktop DIMMs but also follow desktop RAM trends - DDR2 is the most popular and cheapest type of RAM.
Your computer motherboard determines what types of RAM, CPU (processor) as well as many other PC parts that are compatible with your computer. Although you can mix speeds and use faster RAM (only of the same DDR type) than what your PC was designed to handle, you cannot put for example DDR2 RAM in a DDR1 motherboard or vice versa.
The number after DDR, DDR2 or DDR3 determines the speed of the RAM, so for example DDR2-800 runs at 800MHz and nearly always works fine in PCs made for DDR2-667 or DDR2-553 RAM (DDR2-800 may not have even existed when the PC was made!). A faster specification RAM will just run at the slower speed, though remember this speed is still the fastest your PC can handle so nothing is lost!
On the odd occasion (older laptops and 'brand name'/OEM PCs can be more picky) a motherboard cannot use a faster speed RAM module, but theoretically a faster RAM module will actually run faster and be more stable than a slower specification RAM. (Aussie PC Fix guarantee all RAM installed by us will be 100% compatible with your PC!)
It is, after all, designed to handle faster speeds and may also have lower (better) timings (timing specifications such as CAS Latency are also factors in the real world speed and compatibility of the RAM - this is the time it takes for the RAM to respond to the memory controllers requests).
A program such as CPU-Z can tell you what RAM you currently have and possibly what the maximum specifications are for your computer. Most computers have 2 or 4 RAM slots available for upgrades with 1GB or 2GB maximum RAM modules per slot.
- Computer Cases
- Computer Systems
- DVD / Blu-ray Writers
- Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
- Keyboards & Mice
- KVMs
- LCD Screens / Monitors
- Memory (RAM)
- Motherboards
- Networking
- PDAs
- Power Supply Units (PSU)
- Processors (CPU)
- Software
- Video / Graphics Cards (GPU)
> Orders under $100 attract $10 surcharge (except antivirus or during service). Orders over $100 receive FREE delivery in Belconnen region. Delivery only $20 rest of Canberra or applicable postage rates to elsewhere <
Prices correct at time of publishing but subject to change without notice. Errors and ommissions excepted. Based on cash price including any taxes and pickup from Belconnen, Canberra, ACT, Australia - call for workshop address. Not all items kept in stock. Pictures for illustration purposes only.
Please call 0410 628 935, email support@aussiepcfix.com or contact us via online form to place an order and confirm prices.
If you happen to find a cheaper price in Canberra then please contact us or email support@aussiepcfix.com with details and we will do our best to beat your quoted price!
Recommended best value computer parts for most users, as well as discounted PC hardware in red
If you're not sure on which product best suits your needs, if it is compatible with your computer, or if you need any other help or computer parts then contact us for free advice.
Prices last updated: 10 November 2008