Lesson 5: Installing RAM Memory
NOTE: Before you try installing RAM, ensure you have the required type that is compatible with your motherboard.
Step 1: Locate notches in RAM slots and RAM
These notches are slightly off center to ensure the RAM can only go in one way.
Step 2: Find the correct slot
We need to consult our motherboard owners manual here for two reasons:
1. We need to locate the first ram slot. On our motherboard it says "DDRII_1" . This will be located near your RAM slots on your motherboard, but if you can't find it, in your owners should be a layout of the board and all of the labels.
According to this, our layout is as follows:
2. If we have more than one stick of RAM, a motherboard that supports dual channel and RAM that supports dual channel, we need to find out which slot to put the second stick in to utilize dual channel. Your motherboard owners manual will tell you which slots (if you have more than 2 slots) to use.
Step 3: Open clips and line up the notches
On each ram slot, there are two clips. Open these by moving them away from the slot.
Line up the notches and drop it into a the slot
Step 4: Install the RAM
Place your thumbs on each side of the ram and gently push down evenly on both sides until they snap in. You should hear a "click" when you've pushed them down far enough.
Step 5: Finishing touches
The clips should fully close automatically but sometimes they don't close completely, just push them in towards the ram. When installed properly, the clips should be even with the other clips.
Next Lesson: Testing the Motherboard
We have installed everything into the motherboard that we can for now. This is a good time to test the motherboard: Lesson 6: Testing the Motherboard.
