Thinking about buying more memory

[Emilie]

I think it's time for an upgrade, I only have 1 GB of RAM on my laptop and if I want to play Sims 3 on it I'll have to get some more I suppose.
I've heard that you can easily install more RAM yourself, so I'd like to try it, but I need to be sure that I order the right products. The Dell helper says I should buy this: accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/products/Minnesuppgraderingar/productdetail.aspx?c=se&l=sv&s=dhs&cs=sedhs1&sku=A1537262&mfgpid=1488706 Should I trust that it is compatible with my Inspiron 9300? Also, what does this mean:

Installation in matched pairs of modules is required, please order quantity two.

Do I have to order two? If so, can I still use the memory I already have or do I have to take it out to put 2 new ones in?

[Jessica]

I don't know about laptops, but in a desktop computer the amount of RAM you can use at once depends on the motherboard. Look up its brand and look for that info.

And yep, sounds like you have to order two.

[Emilie]

ok, and where can I look for that info? I'm really bad at this kind of thing...

[Theachen7]

I might be wrong, but I think you have to order two. When I updated the memory on our desktop I had to buy a pair.

[Nina]

Mine's an Acer, then I just go to their website, and do a search on the brand, which is Acer TravelMate 272XC. I will find all info I need there, and how much more memory I can put into my laptop.

You could do the same with your Dell. You could also check out the info on "Run", just write dxdiag in the box, and then on OK, or on Systeminformation.

[CharlieChomper]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, unfortunately, I've been very, very busy lately and didn't get a chance to see this until now.

The only time you would actually need to purchase RAM/memory in a pair is if you're dealing with a motherboard that uses the often-hyped/overrated "feature" known as a dual channel setup/configuration and are upgrading in such a way that it won't adhere to one of the set/specific configurations that dual channel requires in order to work properly (as going with a configuration that doesn't adhere to the guidelines will have the exact opposite effect of what you want to happen). In this instance, it would be the "classic" two sticks that are identical to one another as far as the size, speed, and sometimes manufacturers are concerned.

On that note, contrary to that tiresome popular misconception/myth, buying what's known as "kitted" DDR RAM/memory (two identical sticks, supposedly down to the manufacture date and firmware that come as part of the same packet) isn't any better than buying two sticks separately from the same manufacturer at different times.

In reality, you're actually paying more for what you can achieve going the route of buying the two sticks separately at different times. It's just a marketing ploy by the DDR RAM/memory manufacturers to get people to spend more money and relying upon consumer confusion over the SLI situation to go about it.

Dual channel really isn't as temperamental or specific as some of the DDR memory manufacturers will try and make it out to be and believe me, it really doesn't care if that stick of RAM was original to the system and you opt to purchase another one a few years after the fact. I not only speak from experience as I have a system that actually uses a dual channel setup (with each stick having been purchased at very different points in time), but this is something that has actually been confirmed by people who have actually worked on implementing dual channel on a mass scale.

Regardless, from having looked over the specs listed, the most your system can support per memory slot is 1GB (you currently appear to have two RAM slots according to the specs I've seen, making the most your system can support in total equating 2GBs with 1GB sticks per slot).

However, as the laptop board doesn't use a dual channel setup, you don't have to comply with or even worry about the matching pair rule as far as the two of them being equal speeds/sizes to work (ie as an example, you could theoretically have 1GB in one slot, and 512MB in the other and not run into problems).

If you currently have 1GB, I would recommend having a look to see if you have two sticks or just the one. If it's just the one stick (which is the most likely situation), it would just mean ordering one stick.

Edited to fix incredibly stupid mistakes (ie missing words and typo).

[Emilie]

Okay, I feel like I understand a bit more about this now, thank you CC for that very helpful explanation!
Will have a look to see if I have 2x513 MB or 1x1 GB. Any precautions I need to take when opening the hatch/fiddling with the inside of my laptop?

[CharlieChomper]

I should have said 512 and not 513.

One extremely important precaution (after making sure the laptop is definitely off, of course) to take is to make sure you're not working on a surface that is carpeted or has any type of cloth on it (and especially do not lay components down upon such a surface) as it can potentially kill your hardware (by way of static electricity). On a similar note, make sure any tools you're working with or things like screws don't touch such surfaces and that nothing metallic at any time touch the board(s) or any part of it.

Related to that, as you're working without a wrist strap, it's also extremely important to make sure you're properly "grounded" for the same reason. The "best" way of doing so in this instance, once the outer bits have been removed (with most laptops, it's historically been the case of where you need to remove the keyboard to get to the internal workings--unless Dell has somehow changed this since the last Inspiron series, I seem to recall that there were sometimes some extra bits of plastic near the keyboard that needed to be removed before the keyboard, itself, could be), there should be a good sized piece of metal toward one side (not the smaller piece, which would be the hard drive--touching that at this stage can cause what this step is supposed to help reduce the risk of) which you should touch for a few minutes to try and "ground" yourself.

A few additional precautions would be to make sure to tie your hair back if you wear it long (for the same risk/reason as mentioned above), do not wear metal jewelry or especially a watch (moreso if it's digital) on your hands as you're working, as some watches can introduce a magnetic "current" that can be fatal to the hardware, just as metal jewelry can have the same effect as having metal touching the board. If you have any furry pets, make sure they keep away from the work area.

One another important note is that before putting the system back fully back together, try turning it on briefly to check whether the RAM is properly "seated" or is making any noises (usually a very high pitched "beeping" sound or "squeal"). If it isn't making noises, check to see that it's, at least, displaying the correct amount when you boot up. It's admittedly harder to do on a laptop, but it's an important precaution and habit to develop when dealing with hardware as it can save you time, at the very least. If it isn't showing up properly or is making that type of noise, shut the system down before trying to make adjustments.

However, as you're dealing with RAM/memory as opposed to something more "invasive" in this realm, you should be in and out of the system very quickly given that it's the easiest component to deal with inside of any system. It really isn't as scary as some people try and make it out to be.