How To Build A PC: Installing RAM
Ranked #8,801 in Computers & Electronics, #174,894 overall
How To Build A PC: Installing RAM
Installing RAM is perhaps the easiest step of all in building your new PC! We'll go through the basics of how to select the right RAM for motherboard compatibility, how to handle it correctly and how to install it before moving on with the PC build.
What's On This Page:
This tutorial is step 6 in my 8 part series, "How to Build A PC"
Install Your RAM
This is yet another simple step that's nearly effortless. Look for the RAM sockets on your motherboard, and push the retention levers outward. These levers are located at the end of each socket:
Above: Two RAM cards have been installed into this ASUS Rampage Formula board. The two slots on the right are free.
Once you push the levers outward, you're able to insert your RAM cards. Be sure to check the manual that came with your RAM for specific instructions on which slots to use on the motherboard!
There's only one possible way to insert the cards into the slots, as they have to align with the pattern of the slots (you won't have to worry about putting them in backwards, because it's impossible to do). When you insert RAM into these slots, you'll have to give it an authoritative push to secure it in. Usually, when RAM has been properly pushed into the socket, the levers will automatically move back to their "up" position.
Above: Two RAM cards have been installed into this ASUS Rampage Formula board. The two slots on the right are free.
Once you push the levers outward, you're able to insert your RAM cards. Be sure to check the manual that came with your RAM for specific instructions on which slots to use on the motherboard!
There's only one possible way to insert the cards into the slots, as they have to align with the pattern of the slots (you won't have to worry about putting them in backwards, because it's impossible to do). When you insert RAM into these slots, you'll have to give it an authoritative push to secure it in. Usually, when RAM has been properly pushed into the socket, the levers will automatically move back to their "up" position.
WARNING: Installing 4 GB of RAM or More
If you plan on installing 4 Gigabytes of RAM, or more, note that you will not be able to do so on a PC that is running anything but a 64 bit version of Windows. This is a cold hard fact that faces anyone unknowing of it, after they have already purchased more RAM than their unborn 32-bit system can handle!
I actually had not heard of this while building my system, which included two kits of Corsair Dominator Twin2x4096-8500C5DF DDR2 RAM. My plans came to an end for a short while, as I had to order Windows 64 bit edition and wait for it to arrive.
Above: Four cards, totaling 8 insane Gigabytes of Corsair Dominator DDR2 RAM, within an ASUS Rampage Formula motherboard. This system will require nothing other than Windows XP 64 or Windows Vista 64 to safely run and recognize this much RAM! (Boy, is it worth it, though!)
I actually had not heard of this while building my system, which included two kits of Corsair Dominator Twin2x4096-8500C5DF DDR2 RAM. My plans came to an end for a short while, as I had to order Windows 64 bit edition and wait for it to arrive.
Above: Four cards, totaling 8 insane Gigabytes of Corsair Dominator DDR2 RAM, within an ASUS Rampage Formula motherboard. This system will require nothing other than Windows XP 64 or Windows Vista 64 to safely run and recognize this much RAM! (Boy, is it worth it, though!)
Featured RAM
Corsair Dominator 2 GB (2 X 1 GB) 240-pin DDR2 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit w/Fan
Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)
List Price: $148.99
In my build, I bought two of these kits (totaling 4 RAM cards at 8 GB!) Corsair Dominator 240-pin RAM works seamlessly with the ASUS Rampage Formula motherboard and Windows Vista Ultimate. You wouldn't believe the difference in performance when you have 8 GIGs of RAM at your disposal (remember, Vista uses a lot of RAM right out of the box, so, it's important to have an ample amount)
(...read more)
Bonus Lesson: Installing a RAM Cooling Fan
Some RAM, such as Corsair Dominator, comes standard with this RAM cooling fan. It's a lightweight dual fan setup that attaches directly over the top of the RAM socket levers:
All you have to do is hyper-extend the arms underneath the fan to wrap over the top of the RAM socket levers, and it's installed. It's not exactly sturdy, but it does the job. The fan requires a power connection, just like the CPU cooling fan. It's a great accessory to cool down your RAM and contribute to an overall cool interior PC case!
On to the next step, Install the Sound Card and Video Card >>
...or, go back to the main page: How to Build A PC
...or, go back to the main page: How to Build A PC
by Pixelrage
We're almost done! Install those RAM cards. It's another simple task!
- 212 featured lenses
- Winner of 18 trophies!
- Top lens » The Best HDTVs for 2012
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
