Learn how to install RAM yourself, no expensive technician required!

Installing more random access memory (RAM) in your computer is one of the simplest, most effective, and cheapest upgrades available. All the programs and tasks that are running on your computer require a certain amount of RAM to operate, and raising the quantity of RAM you have allows you to have more of these running at the same time. However, not only having more RAM, but having faster and better RAM is an advantage to your computer – especially for high use programs such as video games and cpu-intensive software applications. Instead of a costly new graphics card, a RAM upgrade yields immediate results for a fraction of the price. So if nerves have prevented you from opening up your computer and performing a RAM upgrade, this guide should aid you to carry out the procedure with no trouble at all!

• Make sure you are on a surface which is not carpeted to cut down the amount of static you produce. Try to touch very little inside your computer, taking special care not to come into contact with any of the chips. Damage from static electricity and even grease from your finger tips can result in serious problems months down the line.

• If the machine is covered by a manufacturer's warranty, changing the computer in this way often renders the warranty invalid.

You can easily purchase RAM from any computer shop or online store. When buying, there are 3 things which you will need to have to hand:

1. The manufacturer, model number and date (year) of your computer

2. The quantity of RAM the computer has at the moment

3. If extra RAM has been put in previously

To install it: First, turn off your computer! To be totally safe, take the power cable out of the wall too.

Next you should ground yourself before touching anything inside the computer. Then, using a screwdriver, take off the computer’s casing and locate the RAM. The RAM chips can be found on the motherboard. With care, take out the new RAM you have bought. Loosen the clips at both ends of the piece of memory and position the holes on the RAM chip with their corresponding place on the motherboard.

Slowly push the new RAM into place. A click should be heard as the pins snap in. You should never need to force the RAM in! You can now keep adding RAM until no more slots are available.

Lastly, to check that the RAM has been installed correctly and is recognised by your computer, go to ‘My Computer’ and right click to go to ‘Properties’. There you will be able to see how much RAM is installed and being used by the machine.