# question about RAM **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 4, 2002, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387 "2002-07-04T18:30:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![parisms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@parisms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parisms)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387/1 "2002-07-04T18:30:00Z")
I an pretty computer ignorant and I want to buy some more RAM for my Gateway computer, I have 128 mb right now and am hoping to get another 128 mb. I’m also hoping to find some on ebay. I found out from the gateway website that my computer takes this kind of ram: 128-MB 133/100/66-MHz 72-Bit 4-Clock 16x8 SDRAM DIMM ``` Apart from the 128mb part, I don't know what this means and when I paste all this in on ebay nothing comes up, so I'm sure there is a more abbreviated description for the kind of RAM my computer will take. Can anyone help me with this info, can you point me to the type of RAM that will be good for my computer? ``` ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387/2 "2002-07-04T19:14:12Z")
Looks like pretty basic PC133 SDRAM. I am sure someone else will come along and correct me if I am wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387/3 "2002-07-04T19:22:19Z")
_128-MB 133/100/66-MHz_ refers to the speed. This is usually expressed as PC-133, PC-100, etc. PC-133 is the fastest, but your computer will also be compatible with slower memory. You should be able to search on “128 MB SDRAM DIMM” and then pick out ones that are PC-133. It’s worth mentioning that retail memory prices are a LOT lower than they used to be. You should check out some local stores before resorting to ebay. One place here is selling the DIMM you need for $13 after rebates. ---
**Author:** ![rookie523](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@rookie523](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rookie523)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387/4 "2002-07-04T19:25:29Z")
yes. pc133 SDRAM. don’t buy from ebay. you will probably overpay for working ones or buy ones that don’t work. just go to a computer store since it’s very cheap. here in toronto, canada, it costs $35 to buy 128PC133 RAM. so probably $25 US dollars. don’t buy from large stores like best buy or those… buy from small computer store. look for a local computer newspaper and they should have a listing of computer stores and prices. ---
**Author:** ![rookie523](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@rookie523](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rookie523)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387/5 "2002-07-04T19:39:33Z")
yes. pc133 SDRAM. don’t buy from ebay. you will probably overpay for working ones or buy ones that don’t work. just go to a computer store since it’s very cheap. here in toronto, canada, it costs $35 to buy 128PC133 RAM. so probably $25 US dollars. don’t buy from large stores like best buy or those… buy from small computer store. look for a local computer newspaper and they should have a listing of computer stores and prices. ---
**Author:** ![Dandmb50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ba9def/32.png) [@Dandmb50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandmb50)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387/6 "2002-07-04T20:19:29Z")
For computer questions go to a Canadian site which is really excellent and is free of course. [www.thecomputermechanics.com](http://www.thecomputermechanics.com) I use it all the time and get answers almost as fast as I get them on here… ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387/7 "2002-07-04T20:28:24Z")
Go to [Crucial.com](http://www.crucial.com) and they have a super way of choosing RAM. Just enter your computer info - make, model, etc. Very easy and the prices are good. And if by any chance the stick doesn’t work, they will happily exchange it, something the average eBay seller probably won’t do. ---
**Author:** ![parisms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@parisms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parisms)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ram/117387/8 "2002-07-05T03:49:40Z")
Hey thanks alot guys, God I love the straight dope boards! I did stumble across [crucial.com](http://crucial.com) and I will probaly go with that instead of ebay. Peace and God Bless Mike