The Far Side of Tech

If you’ve bought a computer in the past year or two, it is most likely running on a type of RAM referred to as “DDR2“. If you’re purchasing a new computer soon, then you’re pretty much guaranteed to be using it. You can click the link if you’d like a more technical explanation of the memory, but a through explanation of the technology is not necessary to grasp the meaning of this post. What is important to know is this: DDR2 is currently dirt-cheap, making this an excellent time to upgrade your computer’s memory at a minimal cost. For users moving towards Windows Vista and Mac OSX Leopard with new or upgraded computers, this is especially important news!

I’ve purchased several dozen memory modules in the past few weeks and I was literally shocked at the prices. Simply put, you can now buy 1 gigabyte of DDR2 for around $35-45 for your desktop or laptop. The prices have actually been this low for quite some time, but it was only when I made these recent purchases that I actually realized it on my own. All it takes is a quick glance at Pricewatch’s desktop and laptop memory sections to prove it. Take note at how the prices for DDR2 modules are anywhere from 30-50% cheaper than their DDR1 counterparts.

I’m sure the folks who frequent hardware sites like HardOCP have been taking advantage of this for months, but I haven’t seen anyone really advertise this fact to mainstream users. Consider this post a massive endorsement: If you can use it, buy DDR2 RAM now!

Why exactly do I need to upgrade my RAM?

The benefits of RAM upgrades are too numerous to mention in the space of this post, but you can get an idea with this excellent overview from Computer Memory Upgrades. Simply put, more RAM equals faster performance for many tasks on your computer. This could affect everything from system startup, to programs launching, to general computer use. If you’ve noticed any slowdown with your computer recently, or find that your computer doesn’t meet my recommended minimum RAM amounts (mentioned below), then I highly recommend that you take this chance to upgrade your RAM.

Personally I recommend at least 1 gigabyte of RAM for a modern computer running Windows XP, and 2GB if you’re running Windows Vista. While 2GB may seem somewhat extravagant for Vista, I’ve found that it performs much better at higher RAM amounts than XP ever did. This, coupled with the fact that Vista is admittedly a bit of a RAM hog, makes it clear that 1GB of RAM can potentially limit the capabilities of Vista.

For Mac users, all of the OSX versions up until the most recent one (10.4, Tiger) run very well with 1 GB of RAM. There are rumors, however, that the upcoming 10.5 (Leopard) version of OSX will need 2GB of RAM to run best.

How do I know if I have DDR2 RAM?

If your computer is from a name-brand company like Dell, Apple, or Sony, you can figure out the exact type of RAM your computer is using by searching for your computer’s model number at Silicon Mountain’s Memory Matchmaker. (Note: You don’t have to buy memory from Silicon Mountain to use this service) DDR2 debuted in 2003, and quickly became the dominant memory type by 2005 due to increased support by chipset manufacturers like Intel. Therefore, if you bought a laptop or desktop in 2005 or beyond, you are most likely using DDR2 memory. And just to reiterate, if you are buying a new computer you are most certainly using DDR2.

Where do I buy cheap DDR2 memory?

First off, I don’t recommend buying memory from any retail store. If you still hesitate to buy things online, I highly recommend getting over that fear unless you like paying twice as much at retail. Honestly folks, buying stuff online is infinitely safer than handing out your credit card info to delivery or catalogue people over the phone.

Among online stores, I recommend looking for RAM at Newegg and ZipZoomFly. Both are excellent sources of computer hardware as well as other items. I have a particular affinity for Newegg–chiefly because I’ve been a loyal customer since 2000.

Looking for RAM can be somewhat confusing, which is why I’ll recommend once again using Silicon Mountain’s service for determining exactly what sort of DDR2 RAM you need. Pay special attention to type of DDR2 memory it lists. For example, you may see something like “667MHz (PC2-5300)”. This refers to a specific speed that the memory is rated for. It’s best to stick with what the Silicon Mountain service recommends to you for compatibility reasons. This is especially important for Apple computers.

Whenever purchasing things from internet stores be sure to take close look at their return policies should anything go wrong. Pay close attention to restocking fees and return policies. I’ll tell you this though, I’ve had many a good experience with Newegg’s customer services whenever a piece of equipment malfunctioned, and I can only assume their services has grown stronger since I started using them.

How do I install RAM?

If you have a desktop, it’s simply a matter of opening your case and looking for the currently installed RAM modules on your motherboard. A great guide for replacing RAM on your desktop, complete with pictures, can be found here. You can also find instructions in the “support” section of your computer manufacturer’s website.

For laptops, things get a bit trickier because the RAM modules are accessed differently for every laptop. In this case, your best bet is to search the manufacturer’s website for clear directions on how to upgrade the RAM.

What if I don’t have DDR2?

If you bought your computer in 2004 or before, then you’re most likely running the predecessor of DDR2, which was simply called DDR. Prices have fallen a bit for DDR memory, but sadly it looks like the ubiquity of DDR2 led to its cheaper prices today. There is a glut of DDR2 in the market today, and the same simply isn’t true for DDR RAM.

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