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What kind of memory do I have?
What kind of RAM do I need?
Make sure you know what kind of RAM to get.
Use the photos below to see what type of memory - RAM you have now in your computer.
To find the specific memory specifications for your computer, like how much memory your system can hold, memory speed, or exact kind of RAM your computer needs use the Memory Advisor Tool below. You can search by the kind of memory your computer requires, by the name and/or model number of your motherboard, or by the model number by brand of the computer you have.
If you have a Dell, Compaq, Toshiba, Gateway, HP, or other OEM computer!
Know in advance; that these OEM computers require very specific memory part numbers or the upgrade will fail. Only buy and install part numbers listed by the memory maker as being for your specific model number. You don't need to buy your memory upgrade from the computer maker as their prices may be up to double. Make very sure that the RAM part number you buy is listed for your exact computer model.
DDR3 240-pin DIMM Approximately 5.25” by 1.18”
$55.99 (4/03/08) down from $63.99-(3/16/08).
240-pin DIMM's are used in the newest and fastest DDR3 memory desktop computers. DDR3 is the latest generation of memory with an improved architecture that allows it to transmit data more quickly.
Each 240-pin DIMM provides a 64-bit data path (72-bit for ECC or registered or Fully Buffered modules). Standard DDR3 240-pin DIMMs are currently available in DDR3 PC3-8500 SDRAM and DDR3 PC3-12800 SDRAM. Additional speeds will be added as the technology becomes available.
To use DDR3 memory, your system motherboard must have 240-pin DIMM slots and a DDR3-enabled chipset.
A DDR3 SDRAM DIMM will not fit into a standard DDR2 DIMM socket or a DDR DIMM socket.
The number of black components on a 240-pin DIMM can vary, but it always has 120 pins on the front and 120 pins on the back, for a total of 240. 240-pin DIMMs are approximately 5.25 inches long and 1.18 inches high, though the heights can vary. While 240-pin DDR3 DIMMS, 240-pin DDR2 DIMMs, 184-pin DDR DIMMs, and 168-pin DIMMs are approximately the same size, 240-pin DIMMs and 184-pin DIMMs have only one notch within the row of pins.
DDR 2 240Pin - Used in newer Computers. 5.25” by 1.18”
$13.49 (4/01/08) down from $13.99-(3/16/08)
240-pin DIMM's are used to provide DDR2 SDRAM memory for desktop computers.
Standard DDR2 240-pin DIMMs are available in DDR2 PC2-3200 SDRAM, DDR2 PC2-4200 SDRAM, DDR2 PC2-5300 SDRAM, PC2-6400 SDRAM and PC2-8000.
To use DDR2 memory, your system motherboard must have 240-pin DIMM slots and a DDR2-enabled chipset.
A DDR2 SDRAM DIMM will not fit into a standard SDRAM DIMM socket or a DDR3 DIMM socket. The number of black components on a 240-pin DIMM can vary, but it always has 120 pins on the front and 120 pins on the back, for a total of 240. 240-pin DIMMs are approximately 5.25 inches long and 1.18 inches high, though the heights can vary. While 240-pin DDR2 DIMMs, 184-pin DDR DIMMs, and 168-pin DIMMs are approximately the same size, 240-pin DIMMs and 184-pin DIMMs have only one notch within the row of pins. The notch in a 240-pin DDR2 DIMM is closer toward the center of the module.
Dual Channel mode memory. For systems that make use of dual channel memory mode, you must have two memory boards that are exactly the same or the dual channel portion will not work. Get two memory chips with the same part number if you want dual channel.
DDR 184 Pin - Used in newer desktop computers. 5.375” x 1”
$28.99 (4-03-08)
184-pin DIMMs are used to provide DDR SDRAM memory for desktop computers. Each 184-pin DIMM provides a 64-bit data path, so they are installed singly in 64-bit systems. 184-pin DIMMs are available in PC2100 DDR SDRAM, PC2700 DDR SDRAM, and PC3200 DDR SDRAM. To use DDR memory, your system motherboard must have 184-pin DIMM slots and a DDR-enabled chipset. A DDR SDRAM DIMM will not fit into a standard SDRAM DIMM socket. (Information on which memory technology is used by your system is included in the Memory Selector.)
The number of black components on a 184-pin DIMM may vary, but they always have 92 pins on the front and 92 pins on the back for a total of 184. 184-pin DIMMs are approximately 5.375" long and 1.25" high, though the heights may vary. While 184-pin DIMMs and 168-pin DIMMs are approximately the same size, 184-pin DIMMs have only one notch within the row of pins.
Dual Channel mode memory. For systems that make use of dual channel memory mode, you must have two memory boards that are exactly the same or the dual channel portion will not work. Get two memory chips with the same part number if you want dual channel.
SDRAM 168-pin - Used in older desktop computers. 5.375” x 1”
$57.99 (4-3-08)
A dual inline memory module (DIMM) consists of a number of memory components (usually black) that are attached to a printed circuit board (usually green). The gold pins on the bottom of the DIMM provide a connection between the module and a socket on a larger printed circuit board. The pins on the front and back of a DIMM are not connected.
168-pin DIMMs are commonly found in Pentium® and Athlon® systems. 168-pin DIMMs are available in EDO, 66MHz SDRAM, PC100 SDRAM, and PC133 SDRAM. When upgrading, be sure to match the memory technology that is already in your system.
The number of black components on a 168-pin DIMM can vary, but it always has 84 pins on the front and 84 pins on the back, for a total of 168. 168-pin DIMMs are approximately 5.25 inches long and 1.375 inches high, though the heights can vary. They have two small notches within the row of pins along the bottom of the module.
Make sure that any memory that you buy is not only the correct type and pin count, but make certain that the speed you choose matches your memory BUSS speed.
Common speeds are PC66, PC100, PC133, PC2100, PC2700, PC2-3200, PC2-4200, PC2-5300, PC2-6400, and PC2-8000.
For RDRAM, common speeds are PC600, PC700, PC800, and PC1066. The newest type of RDRAM are not listed as a PCnumber. Speeds are listed as RIMM1600, RIMM2100, RIMM3200, RIMM4200, RIMM6400, and RIMM8500. These new type or RDRAM chips will not fit in place old style RDRAM.
SODIMM 200-pin - DDR memory used in newer Laptop computers. 2.625” x 1.25”
DDR2 SODIMM 200-pin - DDR memory used in newest Laptop computers. 2.625” x 1.18”
$46.99 (4-3-08) up from $43.99-(3-16-08)
200-pin SODIMMs are used to provide DDR and DDR2 SDRAM memory for notebook computers. 200-pin SODIMMs are available in PC2700 DDR SDRAM, PC3200 DDR SDRAM, DDR2 PC2-6400 SDRAM, DDR2 PC2-5300 SDRAM, DDR2 PC2-4200 SDRAM and DDR2 PC2-3200 SDRAM. To use DDR or DDR2 memory, your system motherboard must have 200-pin SODIMM slots and a DDR- or DDR2-enabled chipset. A DDR or DDR2 SODIMM will not fit into a standard SDRAM SODIMM socket.
The number of black components on a 200-pin SODIMM can vary, but it always has 100 pins on the front and 100 pins on the back, for a total of 200. 200-pin SODIMMs are approximately 2.625” long and 1.25” high, though the heights can vary. Like 144-pin SODIMMs, 200-pin SODIMMs have one small notch within the row of pins; however, the notch on the 200-pin SODIMMs is closer to the left side of the module.
SODIMM 144-pin - Used in Laptop computers. 2.625” x 1”
SODIMM 72-pin - Used on Laptop computers. 2.375” x 1”
144-pin MICRODIMM - Used in sub-notebook computers. 1.545” x 1”
RDRAM PC1066 184-pin - Rambus memory for 533MHz memory buss. 5.25” x 1.25”
RDRAM PC RIMM 4200 232-pin 5.25” x 1.37”
SIMM 72-pin - Used in very old desktops. 4.25” x 1”
A single inline memory module (SIMM) consists of a number of memory components (usually black) that are attached to a printed circuit board (usually green). The gold or tin pins on the bottom of the SIMM provide a connection between the module and a socket on a larger printed circuit board. The pins on the front and back of a SIMM are connected.
72-pin SIMMs are commonly found in older desktop computers, such as the 486 and early Pentium® models. 72-pin SIMMs are available in FPM or EDO. When upgrading, be sure to match the memory technology that is already in your system.
The number of black components on a 72-pin SIMM can vary. 72-pin SIMMs are approximately 4.25 inches long and 1 inch high, though the heights can vary. They have one notch on the bottom left and one notch in the center of the module.
SIMM 30-pin - Used in very very old desktops. 3.5” x .75”
DIMM 100-pin - Used in some Printers. 3.5” x 1.25”
AIMM 66-pin - AGP inline memory module. 3.75” x 1.5”
Please email us with any comments you might have.
This page was updated on 04/03/08
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Quality
The difference between top tier and generic memory.
Generic computer memory is most often non compliance memory modules that have been flooding the market resulting in unstable computer systems and confusion. Consumers are easily tempted by the short-term cost saving without knowing its long-term consequence. Details on proper memory module design is very important. Whether it is clock net, stub length, termination resistor, or impedance control, they all involve thousands of hours of simulation and engineering.
You're ready to upgrade your memory, but just one thing stands in the way ¯ you need to know the exact make and model of your system. Don't worry. This information is really quite easy to find, and once you have it, the online does the rest of the work for you.
You're covered
The general rule of thumb in finding your make and model is to look on the system or device cover. Yes, it's really that easy! Most computers, printers, laptops, cameras, and servers will list the information you need somewhere on the outside of the machine. If it's not on the front, look on the back. Also check any labels or metal plates attached to your system.
Here are a couple of examples showing the kind of information you're looking for:
Apple Power Mac G4
Dell OptiPlex GXa
Boot it up
If you don't see a make and model printed on the outside of your computer, try turning it on. Most computers will quickly flash this information on the monitor screen as they boot up.
If the screen goes by too fast you can press the Pause key to stop the system boot. Press Enter to continue.
Go to the source
Your owner's manual and sales receipt are also excellent sources. If you want, you can even call the system or device manufacturer with your serial number (usually printed on a metal plate or sticker) to get the information you need.
How do you pick the right place to buy memory?
For most computer owners, the first question is how to get the most performance out of it. In many cases, upping the memory a few notches is one way to put some "oomph" in the box. Crucial makes selecting memory a simple process with the ability to match memory from Pre-Built Manufactured systems to specific Motherboards.
Crucial's parent company Micron Technology, Inc., manufactures dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips and assembles them into memory modules for the global computer industry. Located in Boise, Idaho, Micron is currently the largest DRAM manufacturer in the United States and one of the top three in the world. Micron is a leading supplier of memory to the major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway, Apple, Micronpc.com, IBM, and more!
