The Seven Smartest PC Upgrades for Under $200

Memory Matters

With system RAM prices at historical lows, a memory upgrade is the most cost-effective update you can make to your computer. No matter what kind of Windows machine you have, adding memory should make it noticeably faster. The extra RAM will reduce your PC's performance-sapping reliance on virtual memory, a Windows trick that induces the hard drive to act as surrogate memory when space in RAM gets tight. With all active data in fast RAM, other system components like your CPU and graphics card can work up to their potential, rather than having to wait around for the hard disk.

If you're plodding along with an old 486 that has only 8MB of RAM, you should upgrade to at least 16MB--and a jump to 32MB will boost Windows 95 performance even more. Adding 16MB of RAM to a Pentium system that already has 16MB installed will give you a nice performance boost for under $50. And if you're starting at 32MB, you might want to increase to 64MB--the extra 32MB still costs less than dinner for two at a swanky restaurant. If you like to run a lot of applications at the same time--especially RAM-hungry software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Lotus Notes­-you'll appreciate having the extra memory.

For advice on installing RAM, see Upgrade Guide, June.

Different Memories

Before you upgrade, you'll need to figure out exactly what type of memory you have, and what you should replace it with. The easiest way is to dial up the Web site of a large memory vendor like Kingston Technology or Crucial Technology. Plug in the make and model of your computer, and the site will tell you what kind of RAM your PC uses and quote a price for it. Most Pentium and some Pentium MMX models came with EDO DRAM organized on 72-pin single inline memory modules. You must install SIMMs in pairs; so a 32MB upgrade, for example, consists of two 16MB SIMMs. Newer Pentium MMX and most Pentium II systems use faster SDRAM, which is mounted on 168-pin dual inline memory modules, and DIMMs can be installed one at a time. If you own an old 486, you're probably using 32-pin SIMMs containing old Fast Page Mode DRAM.

While most Pentium II and Pentium Pro systems feature memory with parity or error correcting code for detecting corrupted data, many Pentium and Pentium MMX systems use simpler nonparity memory. You'll need to identify the type of data protection in your current RAM and make sure your new memory matches it. You may be able to tell by counting the number of chips on the memory module itself. If you see nine chips on a side, the memory type is likely parity or error correcting; otherwise, it is nonparity.

Pick Up the Pace

Some Pentium MMX systems shipped with EDO DRAM but included a pair of open DIMM sockets for accommodating faster SDRAM down the road. While some motherboards can work with both SIMMs and DIMMs in place, you can avoid potential problems and system slowdowns by sticking with just one memory flavor. Owners of new 100-MHz motherboards--including Pentium II-350 and AMD K6-2-350 CPUs--should take care when stocking their PCs with new SDRAM. The faster bus clock requires more sophisticated memory, often called PC100 SDRAM. Slower PC66 SDRAM may fail when plugged into a faster motherboard.

The bottom line: Whether you want to run business presentations, craft eyestraining spreadsheets, or play the latest games, you can quicken the pace by adding memory to that aging machine.

Snapshot: Memory Upgrades (chart)