Install RAM memory & give your PC some speed.

It's extremely easy to install RAM memory onto your computer's motherboard. Has your computer been getting sluggish lately? Installing new RAM is a very cost effective way to give your computer some extra juice.

Upgrading your RAM memory gives you the most bang for the buck when attempting to make your computer faster and it doesn't take a specialist to do it.

If you have questions on choosing what type of RAM you need, read my tutorial on it here.

Or if your looking to buy some RAM, I've found some good deals here on computer RAM. So here's how to install RAM into your computer:


First, you need to unplug your computer from the wall and open your computer case to get access to the motherboard.


In order to install RAM you must first locate where your current RAM is on your motherboard and what it looks like. Chances are there are extra slots next to your current RAM. The great thing about most types of RAM is you can leave your current memory in your computer and place your new RAM in the next available slot.

Remove your RAM from its anti-static bag and hold it by the edges. Make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on so that you don't ruin your new RAM.

The next step to install your RAM is to determine which slot to place it into. You want to install your RAM in the lowest numbered slot or the empty slot that is closest to your filled memory slots.

You can only install RAM in one direction. Look on the bottom of the RAM stick. You need to line up the notches in the RAM with the keys in the slot on your motherboard.

Make sure the retainer clips for the RAM are all the way open. Place the RAM in the slot and gently push it straight down with your thumbs. You may have to press hard to "set" the RAM correctly. When you press down hard enough the retaining clips on either side of the RAM will snap into place, making a "clicking" sound.



Before closing the computer case up you should test to see if you were able to install the RAM correctly. Power up your PC and everything should work normally.

Congratulations, I know you did an excellent job on your RAM, or now your ready to install some computer RAM. Now enjoy that extra speed your computer has, you earned it.

If you need to get some computer RAM now that you know how to install it, then search online to get some great deals on RAM memory.

How to Install the Heatsink/Fan.

Installing your CPU's stock heatsink and fan is also a relatively painless process. In some instances you'll have to apply a thermal compound to your CPU before installing your heatsink (which amounts to applying a few drops and spreading a thin layer across your CPU). However many stock heatsink/fans will come with a thermal pad affixed to the bottom of the heatsink (normally a soft gray substance), in which case you won't need any thermal compound.

Find the mounting hooks on the sides of your CPU socket, match them up with the clamps on the sides of the heatsink, and lower the heatsink onto your CPU. Hook the heatsink to the socket, then pull the locking arm until it snaps into place. Different heatsinks will lock in different manners, but they're all relatively easy to figure out. After your heatsink is locked securely in place, you need to attach the fan's power connector to the motherboard's fan header. You'll need to consult your motherboard's manual to find the appropriate header on your motherboard (it should be very near the CPU).

How to Install CPU.

Installing your CPU in your motherboard is a very simple but delicate process. I always get an excited/nervous charge in my stomach when I'm holding the all-powerful and mysterious CPU in my hands, but the process of installing it holds no real mystery of its own.

First you want to unlock the CPU socket. Generally there will be a small plastic or metal arm that lies on the side of the CPU socket. To unlock it, just push it out and then pull it up.

Now you need to align the CPU to the socket. Different processors have different pin layouts on the bottom, but normally one corner will have a diagonal section without any pins that's different from the others (often this corner will be labeled by a small triangle on the top of the CPU). Find the corresponding corner on your motherboard's CPU socket and gently lower the CPU into the socket.

Be aware, there should be no pushing or snapping involved in this process. The CPU, if correctly aligned, should simply fall (gently!) into place.

Now just lower and lock the socket arm, which in turn will lock your CPU into your motherboard.

How to open a computer case.

Although it is relatively simple to open a computer case, if you've never had the need to, then you probably don't know how. If you're don't have a computer case yet, check out my tutorial onchoosing computer cases.

Or you can search online for some good deals on computer cases. Although no computer case is like another, here is a relatively simple and universal way to open a computer case.

If your computer has hardware installed, be sure to disconnect the power cable.


Locate the screws on the rear of the computer (mine are labeled A), there should be a couple on the top and a couple on each side. Remove them.

Now to open a computer case, you need to pull up and towards the front of the computer. It should come off easily. If your computer case is not coming of, look for any screws that you might have missed and remove them.


Replacing the computer case is just the opposite of when you open a computer case.

How to Install motherboard.

You're almost there. All that's left is to mount your motherboard in the case. Remember the brass standoffs we screwed into the case when we started? All you need to do is lower your motherboard into the case, line it up with the brass standoffs and your I/O plate, and start screwing.

At this point, you're practically done. You'll need to attach some of your case's power connectors to the motherboard headers (again, you'll need to consult your motherboard's manual to know which headers do what), but connecting them is a very simple process. After that, your motherboard and CPU installation is complete!

How To Install a CPU Processor

-Installing a new computer CPU can seem a little over your head but it isn't. It's actually easier than many components. The installation will probably take you 10 minutes with no problem. CPUs were all similar up until recently. All AMD CPUs have pins attached to the CPU, Intel socket 478 CPUs also have the pins attached to the CPU. However, the new Intel socket 775 CPUs have no pins on the CPU, only holes, the pins are located on the motherboard itself. Intel chose this path for various reasons, mainly due to the fact the 478 "Prescott" processors produced to much heat.

The AMD and Intel 478 sockets are small square objects with gold pins on the bottom, and a lever to one side. The CPU will simply drop into the socket with the lever up and lock into place when the lever is down. Doesn't get my easier than that.

-AMD Socket (Also similar to Intel 478)

ZIF Socket

-AMD CPU (Also similar to Intel 478)

AMD CPU, notice notch on CPU

-Install-

-First off ground yourself. You do NOT want to allow a static electricity discharge on your new CPU. It will fry real quick! Make a habit out of touching the power supply in the case to discharge any amount of static electricity you may have.

-Unplug computer

-Open Case by removing screws. There are approximately 4 of them to remove.

 

Unscrewing the case

 

Slide case panel off the case

-After figuring out what CPU you have we need to install it. In this tutorial we install an AMD socket 754 CPU and after the new socket 775 Intel CPU.

Socket 754
-First off pull the sockets locking handle into the up position.

Picture same as above. Notice handle in UP position

-Now we want to place the CPU in the ZIF socket. The CPU is notched at one end and is also notched on the ZIF socket. Simply align these.

-Make sure your CPU is matched up with slot and let it fall gently into the slot. If it wont slide in well then check pins on CPU to insure they are not bent. If one is bent you can use a pocket knife to straighten carefully. Be careful! If many are bent, take back to store and get a new one.

-Now with CPU in the socket we need to lock it down. Push the handle all the way down and secure under its retainer.

CPU locked in place

-Now we need to install the heatsink and fan. This is an easy job too tho.

-Around the socket there will be a black device that holds the heatsink down on the CPU, this is called the heatsink retention bracket. The heatsink itself with have two hooks on each side, with one side having a device that locks the hook in place while locking onto the retention bracket. Make sure the device is unlocked but turning it anti-clockwise before starting.

-Hook one side of the heatsink to the bracket and then lower the heatsink on the CPU. The other side of the heatsink should be able to hook into the bracket now also. The heatsink should feel firmly in place but the hooks will be loose. The final step is to move that locking device clockwise till it locks into the retention bracket, this should make the heatsink secure.

Installed HeatSink and Fan

-You're Done!! Good job.. That wasn't so bad now was it. There is only one thing left to do and that is to hook up your CPU fan into a available power connector. Your BIOS should see new CPU and show it to you on the POST process.

Socket 775
-As mentioned earlier Intel's new socket has its pins integrated with the actual socket and are not located on the bottom of the CPU. The new CPUs looks like this:

Look no pins!

-The new socket has a protective cover on it to stop the pins being damaged. This will need to be removed first of all.

Socket 775 with protective cover on.

-Once the cover is off open the lever and lift up the metal flap. This reveals the pins and allows the CPU to be installed.

Socket open and ready for CPU to be inserted.

-As with all CPUs remember to look for the notch in the corner and match it up with the socket. Gently lower the CPU in the socket taking care to not bend any motherboard pins, and then lower the metal flap. Finally move the socket lever to the closed position to lock the CPU in the socket.

Socket closed with CPU installed, ready for heatsink.

-The CPU is now ready for the heatsink to be installed. This board is different in that it doesn't have a retention bracket. The heatsink simply slots into four holes. It is locked into place by twisting the four locking clips. Simply done.

IPO Allotment Status.

" IPO Allotment Status "

Click here