Exceeding Requirements: The Basics.

As I discussed in my last blog, many people tend to buy PC’s that either barely meet, or barely exceed Microsoft’s recommendations. Out of the box, the computer may operate quite fast compared to your last PC, but over time this speed may eventually wane.

With older PC’s, such as Dell’s 2400 series and up, there is untapped potential that should be explored prior to putting it in the dumpster. With the 2400-3000 series in particular and similar models, the main issue tends to be memory related.

Compaq’s tend to suffer from the same issue, but from my observation it is far worse. For Windows XP, the minimum memory requirement is 64 Megabytes (MB), with 128 MB being the recommended minimum. I’ve seen Compaq’s meet the recommended minimum, and Dells exceed it by twice this amount (256 MB.)

To be fair, both recommended minimums are good enough for the Operating system to function (I’m using Windows XP as an example here,) but that’s just about it. When you add software, games, peripherals, security updates, etc., the end result is eventually something that runs as if it were manufactured circa 1996.

The first and foremost solution to this conundrum is to add more memory. To many this might seem easier said than done, and if you are not experienced or are nervous about opening up your computer, you should definitely seek professional help (of the computer variety ).

If you are up to the task, you will find that it is actually much easier than you might think. Personally, I recommend running these PC’s with a minimum of 512MB of memory. For the series of PC’s I’ve highlighted in this article, the memory is actually quite cheap. Shop around and you’ll find some good deals out there.

Before you go hunting for more memory, there are some things you need to do first. The first is to determine how much memory you have. You can do this by right-clicking on the “My Computer” icon on your desktop (or in your start menu) and choosing properties. The initial screen will give you detailed information pertaining to the processor speed, operating system, and installed memory in your machine.

If you have less than 256MB of memory (also known as RAM,) then you can move on to the next step in the process. This involves finding out what type of memory your system takes. Generally, the aforementioned generation of PC’s use what is called “DDR” RAM, but some exceptions (notably some Celerons) take the old style SDRAM.

So how can you find out?

Crucial (www.crucial.com) has a great tool to help you figure this out. The front page of their website has the “Crucial Memory Advisor tool” which you can use to determine the correct memory type for your machine. Simply select the manufacturer (Dell, Compaq, HP, etc..) the product line (Dimension, Presario, Pavilion, etc..) and the model. Click “Find it,” and the tool does the rest, even allow you to purchase the recommended memory type for your machine. You can purchase your memory here, or shop for it elsewhere if you’d like. I’ve personally never had any problems with Crucial, but shopping around for other manufacturer’s products can sometimes lead to greater cost savings. The brands I’ve used and recommend are Kingston, Crucial, Corsair, and PNY.

If you choose not to buy from crucial, you simply have to make a note of the memory speed type and perform your search. For DDR, the speed is indicated as “PCXXXX” (eg PC3200) and for older SDRAM modules, the speed is indicated as PCXXX (eg PC 133.) For late-model machines, the following guidelines apply: DDR2: “PC2 XXXX” (eg PC2 5400.) DDR3: “PC3 XXXX” (eg PC3 8500.)

Once you have this information in hand, then you’re ready to perform your upgrade. If you decide to do it yourself, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as to opening up your computer and installing the memory modules. Adding memory to your computer can be a rewarding project that can alleviate headaches and save you time. If you seek to have the memory installed by a pro, look us up if you’re in the Danbury, CT area, otherwise contact your local PC specialist for assistance.

I hope you have found this blog educational. Thank you.

Next time: Advanced improvement methods for advanced PC’s.