Tech Needing Help with Upgrades

[Thief of Hearts Joker]

Well more or less I wanna upgrade my RAM from 512 to 4-8 GB to help with my general use and gaming on it, I'm curious on if it matters what kind of RAM I need.

This computer I have currently was built by my old mans friend so I don't know too much on what type it is aside from it being a Dell and running Windows XP

Any help would be great

 

[Ethics]

Hey, bud. I could bore you with mumbo jumbo about how we really can't help you without more info (your motherboard model), but I don't think you want to jump through a lot of hoops? If you don't mind poking and prodding around, let me know. It'd be a lot easier if it wasn't a custom PC (which it sounds like it is, and an old one too).

Otherwise, just head here: http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

Yes, you will have to download the scanner (download is right in the top left, in the big blue box) and it will automatically recommend you some memory. I pretty much always go with crucial when buying memory anymore, so I'd usually advise their products anyways. The scanner is pretty lightweight, and it comes with a short video guide to help as well. No, I promise it isn't a virus or anything else. Good stuff.

Also, just so you know, Windows XP doesn't support more than 4G (I think it was 4G at least) so you won't be able to exceed that regardless of your mobo. From the sounds of it, your computer may not even be able to handle that, though, and if it can it'll be a huuuge upgrade.

 

[Thief of Hearts Joker]

I did happen to try the scanner but no memory upgrades popped up after the scan completed, so I'm assuming they don't have any compatible with my PC

Aside from that I'd rather not take this thing apart since I don't know if I could put it back together afterwards >_>; I may have to just bite a bullet and buy a new PC at some point when I have the money. Since this PC is how I've been applying for jobs I'd rather not chance it xD;

 

[Ethics]

It's likely such an old computer they just don't know what to recommend you anymore, bar a different computer So yeah, the computer sounds like a dinosaur now and a whole new rig is likely the best way to go. Especially if gaming is at all a goal, because you'd still likely have to replace everything you have now (mobo, CPU and GPU) to do anything more advanced than the original Warcraft game.

That isn't to say upgrades aren't possible, but they may just not be worth it.

 

[King Sean]

what model of dell is it? it should say gx something under or near the power button.

 

[Thief of Hearts Joker]

Its not a Dell Tower, just a uhh shell, I only know its a Dell since it says so when I start it up >//>; but yeah, from the look of it I'll just have to get a new one offa new egg or something, as for games I'm just looking to run SDGO/Imagine on normal speeds where I don't get sudden freezes in gameplay lol