RAM

To identify RAM correctly you must consider the following criteria:

• It is for a laptop or a desktop?

Laptop RAM (SODIMM) is shorter than desktop RAM (DIMM) as you can see in the picture to the right.

• Which version of DDR is the RAM?

To identify whether it is DDR 1, 2 or 3, check the labels around the memory. Normally it will just state which DDR version it is somewhere, however it may say something slightly different such as PC-2 or PC-3 which relate to DDR2 and 3 respectively. If it doesn't state anything then the chances are it is DDR1.

• What size memory is it?

Fairly straightforward, as it should just state this somewhere but certain manufacturers such as Kingston seem to have a habit of hiding this information infront of a long string of letters and numbers. For example, it may just say something like 2G or 4G, referring to 2GB and 4GB.

• What is the model number?

This is the number that starts with PCxxxx such as PC6400 or PC2100. Again, this number should be on the sticker in some form. Occasionally, this number will be shown together with the DDR version, for example, it might say "PC2-6400", which means that it's DDR2 and the model number is PC6400.