Installing RAM (Memory)

Previous steps before installing ram:

1. Install your CPU
2. Applying thermal grease/paste on CPU, OEMs will not come with thermal grease or you might prefer a brand over the stock grade
3. Install heat sink fan (CPU Cooler) on your CPU

In the example I'm using for installing RAM, we're installing (seating) 24 GB of triple channel RAM into 6 DIMM slots.

Steps for installing your memory / RAM:

1. Ground yourself before touching your motherboard or memory. Each time.
2. On the DIMM Slot (memory socket), there are latches on both ends

   

   • Push down on the latches to swing them open
3. 1 at a time remove the memory from it's packaging
4. Line up the stick in the DIMM slot

   

   • The notch on the memory stick must line up with the break/post/nub in the DIMM Slot

     

5. You might need to use both hands as you want the memory to slide into place evenly push the memory stick into place
   • It always surprises me that it takes more effort then I think to seat the RAM in it's socket
   • If it refuses to be seated, double check that you have lined it up correctly and try again
   • If you see uneven teeth, or generally even teeth at all, the memory is not seated properly

   

6. As you seat it firmly in its socket, the outside latches will snap shut, locking the memory stick into place

   

   • Double check that the latches did indeed latch, you might have to do it manually

When you're installing RAM you'll find it only fits in the DIMM slot one way. Only the type of RAM the motherboard calls for is what will fit in the DIMM slot. Notice I said type of RAM not the speed.

A DDR module/stick will not fit in a DDR2 or DDR3 slot. Likewise, DDR2 will not fit in DDR3. With that being said, there are some exceptions. Some motherboards do allow for multiple types of RAM. However, do not assume this is the case with your board. Verify, verify, verify before you purchase your RAM that your motherboard accepts the type and speed of RAM you choose.

Anytime you have less RAM to install then DIMM Slots available, verify using your motherboard's documentation which slots the RAM goes in. If you have 2 sticks of RAM and 4 DIMM Slots you need to know if it seats in:

• slots 1 and 3 or
• slots 1 and 2 or
• 2 and 3 etc

to seat (install) the memory. If you have only 1 stick of RAM verify that it does go in slot 1. It might go in slot 3. You won't know without looking at your motherboard's documentation.

Next Steps:

1. Install your power supply (PSU)
2. Install your motherboard into case
3. Connect your front panel headers

Tip:

Only choose a motherboard that accepts both types of RAM if your planning on using old RAM in your new build and want the option to upgrade RAM types later on without upgrading your motherboard. This is the only reason I would ever suggest using such a board in a build. I would not choose to do this for my own build.

I have found through experience that I agree with the Einstein quote: "that everything must be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler." While I accept that feature rich multiple function items in the IT world is convenient, I've found it can be rather annoying when one feature stops working and the multifunction gadget costs more to repair then replace. It's those all-in-one printer/scanner/copy/fax machines that I really loathe. That however, is my view based on my experiences. Your own mileage will vary.