Need....more........RAM

OnOneRyder · 05-28-2006, 07:51 PM

Right now I'm running a comp with 512mb of ram. I can't get into details because, well I'm a noob to the techincal aspects of computers. I play WoW and only get around 25-30fps on the LOWEST res settings and my other settings are all in the bottom quarter. I've been checking out some sites and see I can buy more ram for about 125-150 bucks for 1gb or so of ram.

My question is, what kind of specs do I need to consider when buying. I could bring it into a shop and have them do it for me but they'll charge an insane amount for 5mins worth of work. Can anyone tell me where on my comp I can look to see what kind of ram I'm using now?

Also, would it be smarter to just ahead now and upgrade the 512 stick to two 1gb ones. And if so what kind of "reconfigurations" are required for installing these items.

Forgive any blatant noob terms, questions or straight up moronic things I may have just said and try and reply the best you can.

LocoColt04 · 05-28-2006, 08:03 PM

One gig should be more than enough, but if you really want to run two gigs, more power to you. If you can afford it, by all means, go for it. If the money is something you'd rather conserve, go with the single gig stick for now, and maybe invest in a second stick later.

If you get the same type of RAM you're currently running, you can run your 512 alongside your 1024, giving you more than enough.

When you open up the side panel on your tower, there should still be a sticker on the RAM that says whether it's 2700, 3200, 4400, etc. This is the data transfer rate for the memory stick. When you buy your new one, if you buy one of the same transfer rate, you can run them both together (assuming your motherboard has more than a single slot).

If they're not the same, you won't be able to run the gig alongside your 512, but that's okay... the gig will be much nicer anyway.

If you want my recommendation on brand, I'd vouch for Kingston.

Andromeda · 05-28-2006, 08:05 PM

Well RAM is only a third of your problem probably.

1. is that you play WoW, go play FFXI

2. you probably need to check your video card
3. RAM

No doubt you are running Windows XP and running just fine on that does require 512 megs of RAM to run. So upgrading to 1024 mb definitely good idea to get smoother loads through programs.

Though playing WoW you will need a good video card as much as RAM, because RAM will only take you so far until you need must upgrade the video card. Now if you have a great one already, then yes it is the RAM, if not, it is either the video card or the both. I would say get the card because you will need a better one eventually. And gig of RAM should do you well for a while as well.

hellbred · 05-28-2006, 08:09 PM

Well first you must see if you have multiple slots available to upgrade to, depending on how old your computer is. Second you must see what type of RAM your computer uses: DDR, DDR2, SDRAM, EDO, etc.

If you turn your computer off, and take one stick out and take it to your local computer store like CompUSA, or Office Depot they will tell you what kind of memory it is if you do not know, and they will also tell you what types they have available.

I personally have 2 1GB (actually I think it's like 1024mb each or something) sticks of Corsair, but some people prefer other types of RAM over the next. Some say Kingston is better, and it is good just expensive... fortunately you're performing an upgrade which is the cheapest type for a computer now a days.

I'd say go with Kingston, Corsair, or Crucial. PNY will be what most retailers carry, but it is the cheapest however gets the job done.

Edit:
^^^^^ is right. I upgraded RAM to play WoW when I noticed I couldn't go into Orgrimmar(sp?) without the FPS going to basicallt 3-5 ps.... so I upgraded RAM and it helped, but I ended up having to buy a RADEON graphics card too.

Novacrash · 05-28-2006, 08:10 PM

dude if its the fact that you play wow its not a cideo card you need get a single gig chip and you wont even lag in IF trust me thats what i did i started off with 512 as well ^^

OnOneRyder · 05-28-2006, 09:04 PM

Graphics card is a NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200. Certainly not that great as it's only 128mb (this is the only thing I look for, tell me if I should look for other things that are essential) . I've got about 300-400 to play with and since it's computer parts I plan on buying from an online store that has decent prices compared to a local shop.

I've opened my pc up before and I know 100% there are slots for two sticks.

I can't seem to see the sticker on the RAM as it's on the bottom and theres a big fan hovering over what I believe to bet the motherboard cooling it. Can I take the ram out without any problems when turned off and just plug back in? I've yet to have my PC cherry popped yet and I'm afraid it'll hurt

(I've never done anything hardware install/removal before)

Also, if either of these items is not something to be tackled by a noob in the world of computers I do have a friend who can do it. I just don't like asking for comp help with him as I've had several disasterous things happen in the past and have had to get him to replace the harddrive twice in a 2 month period

LocoColt04 · 05-28-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnOneRyder

Can I take the ram out without any problems when turned off and just plug back in?

Yes sir, you can. As long as the computer is off (and unplugged, to prevent any shock corrputing your hardware), you should be able to pull it out and put it back in without any problems. It won't just come out though; you'll have to pull those little tabs on the side outward so that the stick comes loose, and then you can remove it. To put it back in, just push and it should lock itself into place. You'll hear it click.

Angantyr · 05-29-2006, 12:46 AM

I need to upgrade too, but not for the fact I want to play WoW but because I am on XP and only have 256 which means I can't do jack without it freezing. Also I need to get a new HDD, my 40gigs is full plus another 6 gigs of CD-Rs.

But yeah RAM isn't the only thing, also be careful when opening your PC, don't put it on the Carpet and only unplug what you need to, dealing with RAM is quite risky compared to other parts.

OnOneRyder · 05-29-2006, 12:08 PM

I actually went in to look today but was a little nervous to actually remove the stick. I did however enter the set-up just as I turned on the comp and I learned I've got 512 MB/DDR SDRAM. That's exactly how it was written down, and it sort of confused me. I was under the impression that I was using ddr OR sdram. Anyone know what this means?

Shaun Taylor 18 · 05-29-2006, 01:48 PM

I'm not a computer professional at all, and I'm hoping to learn a bit here... but to my knowledge "DDR" is the type of "SDRAM".

Make sure you don't buy more RAM than your motherboard can take, too.

Gorath Sodom · 05-29-2006, 05:19 PM

512MB of system RAM is by no means insufficient for casual use. Your video card is definately the cause of framedrops if that truly is the problem. Are you sure it's not lag? In an online environment your connection can slow you down if it provides insufficient bandwidth.

OnOneRyder · 05-29-2006, 06:27 PM

I'm at about 4900/480 for my connection so it's by no means latency issues, and is most deffinetely user side related.