# How do I know what RAM will fit in my computer?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 2, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720 "2008-11-02T14:44:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/1 "2008-11-02T14:44:08Z")
I want to buy a sGB stick of RAM to put in my Dell Inspiron 1420, but when I search I see all this stuff about pins and DIMM. I don’t really know what it all means. How do I find out the specifications I need for the RAM?
---
### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/2 "2008-11-02T14:57:50Z")
Go to Crucial’s website and run their analyser.
---
### Author:  [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/3 "2008-11-02T14:59:00Z")
Read the manual. More than likely, it’ll tell you whether it’s DDR, DDR2, etc… and the acceptable speeds.
From the [promotional stuff](http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_1420?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19) it looks like you need DDR2 dual channel 667 mhz memory.
---
### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/4 "2008-11-02T15:07:07Z")
It might also be indicated in the computer’s BIOS. When you start up the machine, you might see “Press \ to open setup” or some such. There’s lots of info in there; just don’t save any changes.
And of course you could always pull the existing memory and take it to the store for comparison. In fact, I recommend opening the computer before going shopping simply to see if you have available slots for new memory.
---
### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/5 "2008-11-02T15:17:37Z")
**cnet** had a recent [discussion](http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=311659&messageID=2878012#2878012) about finding RAM for an older PC. I notice they recommend Crucial’s website also. There are some more tips in the discussion.
---
### Author:  [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/6 "2008-11-02T15:33:09Z")
> [@Quartz](#):
>
> Go to Crucial’s website and run their analyser.
Not to be a nay-sayer, but I just ran that program on my Dell and it didn’t work at all. It told me I have 0 sticks of ram for 0 Megs installed and that that was the maximum possible for my system.
I’d suggest double checking what it says.
---
### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/7 "2008-11-02T15:35:23Z")
> [@wolfman](#):
>
> Not to be a nay-sayer, but I just ran that program on my Dell and it didn’t work at all.
I’d be interested in the make and model of your PC.
---
### Author:  [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/8 "2008-11-02T15:43:16Z")
Dell Inspiron 530, I don’t know remember the motherboard model off hand motherboard off hand.
> [@](#):
>
> memory upgrades
> According to our scan, your system already has the maximum amount of memory installed.
> [@](#):
>
> Currently installed memory:
>
> EMPTY
> EMPTY
> EMPTY
> EMPTY
>
> Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-5300,DDR2 PC2-6400 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.\*
I actually have 2Gigs of DDR2-800, with two slots open,if that helps
---
### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/9 "2008-11-02T18:20:34Z")
I recommend [Belarc advisor.](http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html) It’s a down load, but will tell you more about your PC than you ever wanted to know.
The report is organized well and you can print it out.
---
### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/10 "2008-11-02T18:38:03Z")
> [@enipla](#):
>
> I recommend [Belarc advisor.](http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html)
What the…? It’s advising me to step away from the computer and get back to renovating my bathroom!
---
### Author:  [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-know-what-ram-will-fit-in-my-computer/470720/11 "2008-11-02T18:41:49Z")
> [@enipla](#):
>
> I recommend [Belarc advisor.](http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html) It’s a down load, but will tell you more about your PC than you ever wanted to know.
>
> The report is organized well and you can print it out.
Seconded. Excellent little tool.
Although i’ve never had trouble with Crucial’s memory tool either.