Upgrading the memory in a desktop computer

Upgrading the memory in a computer is a cheap and easy way of improving performance, especially if you are using Windows Vista. Vista needs at least 1GB of memory to run smoothly and 2GB is even better. The beauty of this upgrade is that Windows (or Mac or Linux) will use the extra memory without any changes to settings. Unlike notebooks, most desktop computers have spare slots for extra memory so there is no need to waste the existing memory cards.

The best way to find out what memory is used by your computer is to look in the motherboard manual that was hopefully supplied with it. If there was no motherboard manual supplied with the computer, you should be able to find one on the internet in the support pages of the manufacturer. You can find the make and model of the motherboard by having a look inside the case. The case has to come off at some point. Here is a list of some of the major motherboard manufacturers with links to their sites.

• Asus
• Gigabyte
• Sapphire
• MSI
• Abit
• ECS
• ASrock
• Intel
• Aopen

Once you have acquired the new memory, unplug the computer and open the case. Locate the long memory slots, normally close to the processor.

There is a small indent in the memory card and this corresponds to a lug in the slot to make sure that the memory card is inserted the right way round. If the memory doesn't seem to fit, don't force it. Check this indent and try again.

Make sure both of the white catches are open and push the memory card into place. The card is fitted when the catches are vertical.

Close the case of the computer and reconnect it to the power supply. Switch it on and the operating system will immediately take advantage of the extra memory.