2 Computer Questions

[Thump]

1) Where's the best place to get RAM? (Newegg, Bestbuy etc...) Any good rebates now?

Another ques. regarding RAM, a guy at the computer store said it's better to use 2- 256 mb's than a 512 and a 256. Is this true. I'm wanting to speed up my wife's grandparents computer and their computer only has 256 mb's of RAM with an empty slot to add more RAM.

What do you recommend?

2) How easy is it to install a CD Burner? Their computer currently just has a CD-ROM but they want to be able to back up pictures from their new digital camera.

Thanks for any help.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

1) Crucial.com

2) Gotta do some homework... many machines have requirements when it comes to memory... research what the max memory on your machine is... and do you have to have pairs... and does it matter what memory slot you use if the memory is not the same 'size' in multiple slots .. crucial.com is pretty good helping with these issues too

 

[Golferdow01]

1) Where's the best place to get RAM? (Newegg, Bestbuy etc...) Any good rebates now?

2) A 2nd ques. regarding RAM, a guy at the computer store said it's better to use 2- 256 mb's than a 512 and a 256. Is this true. I'm wanting to speed up my wife's grandparents computer and their computer only has 256 mb's of RAM with an empty slot to add more RAM.

What do you recommend?

thanks for any help.

First off, make sure the RAM you get is compatible with their computer. The best way to do this is go to Crucial.com and follow their easy steps in locating the proper ram for the system.

Second, I might be way the hell off but I thought RAM always has to be the same number in each port to work effectively. For instance I used to have 2 256's and now I have 2 512's. I would recommend a second 256 Thump.

Third, I always locate my RAM on Crucial.com and then compare their price with NewEgg and then at Pricewatch.com

 

[strohs]

1) Where's the best place to get RAM? (Newegg, Bestbuy etc...) Any good rebates now?

Another ques. regarding RAM, a guy at the computer store said it's better to use 2- 256 mb's than a 512 and a 256. Is this true. I'm wanting to speed up my wife's grandparents computer and their computer only has 256 mb's of RAM with an empty slot to add more RAM.

What do you recommend?

2) How easy is it to install a CD Burner? Their computer currently just has a CD-ROM but they want to be able to back up pictures from their new digital camera.

Thanks for any help.

Tigerdirect.com is another good one to look at.
Also, RAM is cheap anymore, get (2) 512's, you will be happy you did.

 

[CleveBucks]

You only have to buy RAM in identical pairs if it's dual channel. Your computer's motherboard probably doesn't take dual channel memory, but it might. Crucial.com should tell you what type of RAM your computer takes, if it's a name brand. If not, check your motherboard's manual.

As for where to get it, if you want to get it from the store look for a Microcenter nearby. They have the best prices on PC components. For online sites, check Pricewatch.com.

As for the CD burner, just make sure they have a free 5.25" drive bay open. They should unless their case is a mini tower. I would set the CD burner as the master drive and the CD-ROM as the slave. Check the jumpers on the back of the drive, or the instructions will walk you right through it. Or do a Google search.

 

[Muck]

You only have to buy RAM in identical pairs if it's dual channel. Your computer's motherboard probably doesn't take dual channel memory, but it might.

Or if its RDRAM or if it's older than dirt and takes 72 pin SIMMS rather than DIMMS.

A great utility that'll help tell you what kind of RAM is in your machine is CPU-Z.