What memory is best?



You’ve been asked to upgrade the memory in a computer on the 4th floor. What’s the best way to determine what kind of memory you need?

A) Open the computer and examine the existing memory and available slots

B) Ask the end-user what kind of memory they prefer

C) Get the make and model of the computer or motherboard, and reference the manufacturer documentation

D) Most memory is interchangeable. Use the corporate standard for memory modules

E) Upgrade the computer using anything you might have laying around, i.e., paper clips, chocolate pudding, Pez dispensers


The answer: C) Get the make and model of the computer or motherboard, and reference the manufacturer documentation

Your computer is especially sensitive to the type of installed memory. Incorrect memory can cause a problem during the startup process, or it can appear to work normally before suffering through random crashes. Always double check with the manufacturer’s documentation before installing the RAM.

Want to know more? Watch “Installing and Configuring Memory.”

Selecting and installing the main memory of a PC isn’t the simplest of tasks. In this video, you’ll learn how to determine memory specifications, how to install memory modules onto the motherboard, and how to determine if the RAM is properly recognized by the system.