Understanding system memory and processor
speed.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
I've found that many users have trouble distinguishing
between the three most important
considerations effecting system
performance.
1.
Processor speed(How fast the computer can perform operations).
2.
System memory(Amount of available
memory without using the disk)
3.
Disk space
(The physical place the
programs and your data is saved to.) To complicate matters the same disk on your
computer is also used as an extension of the computers memory when memory runs out.
Knowing the limitations of your
system is a good start as all three are related to general system performance and speed.
However, even very fast running machines with plenty of free disk space and memory
can succumb to the Snail Crawl which I like to coin it, meaning your computer couldn't
win a snail race.
To check the amount of system memory on your computer use the System Properties
tab. In Windows, find and click on the Start menu, find and click on Control panel
usually listed on the right side. Once in control panel, switch to classic view if not selected in the upper left corner. In the list of Alphabetized short
cuts, double click on the System short cut this brings up the System Properties.
The General tab gives you a quick
glance at the basics of your system, starting with the version of Windows installed,
the current service pack and the registered owner, following this is basic computer
hardware information.In the example above
under Computer:
The first line describes the type
of processor.The
next line describes the processor speed, this processor is running
at 2.41 GHz, the higher this number the faster the processor.
Note on newer Dual and Quad processors. These are basically taking the same processor and adding two to four of them on one main board. These processors allow multiple applications
used by power users to run more efficiently but may not necessarily speed up the
performance of one application running alone. In some cases a computer having a
single processor will run a single application faster than a dual core processor
running the same single application.
The last line above is describing the amount
of system memory installed, 2.00GB or 2 gigabytes. The higher
this number the more memory is installed. Computer information is obtained during the time of Windows installation and after service packs, or system hardware updates.
In some cases this information isn't available on older systems.
It’s also important to note that computers have a limit to now much memory can be added to
them. How to check and add a memory
upgrade for your system. If you do not have the user guide for your computer,
you may be able to find it on line in PDF form. Record the make, model and serial number then visit the support
site for your computer and look for drivers and downloads in the support area.
Here you will find the factory specifications
for your machine which also tells you how
many memory bays are available in your machine and of those how many where occupied
when your particular machine left the factory.
Computers can have 2 to 4 to 8 bays
or more of space for additional Memory. Before
purchasing memory It’s important for you to know how many memory bays your
computer has and how many are occupied by existing memory. Many lower end
computers come with 2 bays and only 1 stick of memory leaving one empty for expansion,
other higher priced machines may come with up to 4 memory bays, and only 2 occupied.
See example above.
Once you know how much memory you have, how many bays you
have free and how much memory your computer can upgrade to you can
then know if
you even have the ability add more.
Memory has become cheaper and there
are various brands and speeds of memory. Best practice is to use the same memory
type and speed in each memory bay, and of a type recommended or equivalent of the manufacture.
If your computer is an older machine, with no current support, or if
it was custom build by a friend or small business you may still be able to find
out the serial
number and main
board manufacturer along with memory type supported without having to open up the computer yet
by running a diagnostic safe to use freeware program called
Belarc Advisor
, Belarc will effectively scan your system and report back to you detailed
information including how many memory bays are in the computer and how
many are occupied.
Once you know for example the computer came with one chip
that was occupying 1 of 2 bays and that chip was a 512 megabyte chip. Depending on the maximum amount of memory the mainboard will allow you can mix and match,
you can either add another 512 megabyte chip in the second bay. Or swap out
the 512 megabyte chip for a single 1 Gigabyte chip, still leaving one bay for additional expansion.
Or simply just add a 1 gigabyte chip in the second bay increasing the memory from
512 megabytes to 1.5 gigabytes. As long as the type and speed of the memory are
the same the memory will perform fine. The userguide information will tell you the
maxium amount of memory that can be installed into any one bay at a time.
To upgrade your memory:
If you are ordering your memory from
the manufacture or on line using the serial number and model of your computer there
shouldn’t be a problem with the installation. If you are purchasing your memory from a local
computer or electronics store I recommend making a pencil tracing outline
of the shape and grooves of your exisiting memory to compare
to make sure what the salesman tells you will work for your computer at
least looks right.
Make sure all the notches and contact points
match, like
matching new house keys. Memory is labeled with the type and speed, make
sure this matches your memory.
Removal and installation
of your memory:
Memory upgrades are generally easy to perform, an experienced technician can
perform this in less then 5 minutes armed with the right memory stick and charge
you up to $50.00 or more to install it if they come out to your house or business.
The first time I upgraded memory it took about 30 minutes of being extra careful
not wanting to damage anything. Once you know your system, you'll be able to perform
the next memory upgrade in less than half the time.
Best practice insure your data is backed up before performing internal maintenance.
Refer to your computer documentation if possible.
New memory often comes with installation instructions. Most desktop towers have similar main board layouts easily
accessed by the users. Main boards are smaller these days, if you have your
computers user guide handy I would look at that first, if not this procedure
may help.
Save and close down all your applications and shut down the computer, be
sure to unplug the power chord and wait a full minute. After unplugging the power
proceed to open your computers case, many cases unlock from the rear older models with retaining
screws around the perimeter of the case, newer models with unlock levers. Some cases unlock from the top and usually it’s the left side of the computer
that will slide off exposing the main board, sometimes the entire case slides off
like a hood. If you are not able to
remove the case you may need to check a users guide to prevent damage to the computer,
nothing should be forced.
In rare cases
with micro computer systems (very thin small desktop computers) getting to the memory
bays is a bit trickier but just as easy, these systems have modular components and
sometimes you have to release and slide open the CD/DVD drive to access the memory
bays beneath.
If you don't have a users guide for your computers case try to locate one on line,
most computer user guides can be found somewhere on the web. In the field
as a technician coming across new types of computer design happens often,
search engines on the web help us all the time and may help you find yours. The upgrade
will proceed better and faster if you have a good lighting source, the interior
of some computers can be dark and hard to see even with the case off. The better
you can see the memory bays the easier it will be to understand how they work and
how easy it is to add or remove memory.
Once the case is off, lay the computer
on its side so it's easier to work with,
touch your computers frame a few times to release any static build
up in your fingers before removing or installing any memory. Locate the memory bays on
your main board. The main board will be occupied with connections to devices
inside the computer, see the bare bones main board example above. If you don't
see the memory bays immediately a little hunting may be required, look for them
at the bottom sometimes hidden under cables, or under the hard drive enclosure. Take care not to pull on cables or wires to avoid unplugging connections to the
main board.
Once you have located the memory bays take notice
to how the current memory stick or sticks are in place, the sticks normally align into the bays in one direction, this
is decided by a notch or series of notches near the memory contact surfaces underneath,
these notches must match when memory is installed or replaced. Take a good look
at what the currently installed chip looks like so you will know how your new addition
should also look.
You will also notice that on
each end of the installed memory there are small levers designed to help you remove
memory, when you push on the levers they in turn push the memory stick out of the
bay. When inserting new memory into the bay these levers will slowly snap back into place. In cases where there are color coded memory bays, sets of blacks and whites,
make sure your next memory stick goes into the same color as the existing bay first.
In other words two sets of whites first then two sets of blacks. When inserting memory make sure all the contacts of the stick are aligned inside the insertion groove and that
the stick aligns evenly on both sides of the bay, there
are small alignment grooves to help. Once aligned begin pushing the stick down evenly
on both ends, apply firm but gentle pressure and the memory stick should snap
into place and the two levers on each side will snap upward securing the memory.
If you feel resistance or a rocking of the memory while trying to push down, STOP! do not try to force memory if you
feel definite resistance to prevent damage to the bay or the stick. Check to insure
everything lines up and try again.
Once the memory is installed and before you
close up the case, test the system by plugging the chord back in and restarting
your computer. The computer will let you know immediately if there is a problem
with the installation by sounding a loud series of repeating beep codes.
A normal beep code after memory upgrade for many systems is two beeps, usually followed
by your system acknowledging that memory has changed, sometimes the computer will
want you to press a function key like F1 to continue.
When the computer boots back
up to the desktop you can check the memory using system properties described above
and see the changed results of the great job you did
with out having to pay a tech to do it or drop off your computer. Shut down the computer again,
unplug the chord and put your case back on, then startup up again.
If by chance the computer started
beeping continuously at you in a series of beeps
and the screen is black, this means the new memory installed
was either installed incorrectly (make sure its aligned), or the memory is incompatible
with existing memory, or incompatible with your system. You should be able to remove
it and boot up normally with your original memory.