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MEMORY

COMPUTER MEMORY(RAM)

Welcome to the memory section of our store, where you will find our range of RAM. Whether it is new or refurbished computer memory you are looking for you will find a large selection to choose from, whether you need RAM for a server, a desktop or a laptop.

RAM is important.

Without enough RAM computer performance can be negatively impacted with the operating system forced to fall back onto much slower virtual memory if the required applications are even able to run at all, so it is important to choose correctly. If often helps to consider what tasks will be taking place on the machine in question and how much computer memory will be required to perform those tasks.

As well as capacity, speed is an important consideration when selecting RAM. Alongside the CPU and GPU RAM can often be one of the biggest bottlenecks in a systems performance. Of course faster and higher capacity computer memory comes at a cost so often buying refurbished RAM memory can help to stretch your budget further and we have a huge selection to choose from.

When selecting computer memory it is important to know what RAM a motherboard can support. Depending on the age of a machine’s motherboard it will use a different memory technology such as DDR1, DDR2 etc, generally newer generations are faster and run on lower voltages. The position of the notch in RAM memory is different between generations so a stick of DDR3 RAM will not fit in a motherboard that supports DDR2.

Choosing RAM for servers is further complicated by having to choose between ECC and non-ECC, buffered and unbuffered etc depending on the motherboard’s requirements but with the large range we have in stock we are confident you will be able to find compatible RAM.

At Tekeurope we have a proven track record of sourcing and providing new and refurbished RAM to our large client base. If you are unsure of your computer memory requirements or need some advice on compatibility, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of upgrading my computer’s RAM?

Upgrading computer memory can lead to improvements in system performance and can enable a PC to run a wider range of applications. It can also help future proof a system against the requirements of future software and updates, extending the life of a machine.

Having more RAM in a machine can allow for greater multitasking with more applications running simultaneously without slowing down. This can be useful when regularly using multiple applications such as web browsers, email clients and photo editing software at the same time.

As well as the memory’s capacity it is important to consider its speed and latency. Higher speeds can offer higher performance, although it is always important to check what is supported by the motherboard of your system.

What happens if I do not have enough RAM in my machine?

This can lead to slower system performance, particularly when running multiple applications. Some applications may not run at all if the amount of memory in the system does not meet the minimum stated requirements. Not having enough memory installed can also lead to freezes and crashes in certain situations.

The operating system may attempt to use part of the system’s storage such as an area of the hard drive as memory when RAM capacity runs low. The downside of this is accessing data from storage devices is considerably slower than accessing it from memory and if this is used frequently there will be a noticeable slowdown in system performance.

How are the speed and capacity of computer memory measured?

The capacity of RAM is generally measured in Gigabytes (GB), measuring how much information a memory module can store at any given time. On some older systems with lower capacities RAM may still be measured in megabytes (MB).

Memory speed is measured in megahertz (MHz) which measures how many cycles of data the RAM can transfer per second. Whilst memory with a higher MHz rating can transfer data faster than a lower spec RAM module this can be limited by factors such as system configuration.

When looking to buy new memory always check your system’s documentation for the supported memory speeds and capacities.

Should I buy new or refurbished RAM?

The decision on whether to buy new or refurbished memory depends on a number of factors. New RAM is likely to offer an increased lifespan and reliability, important especially if it will be deployed in an environment with low fault tolerance. New memory is also likely to be available with the latest technology and highest specifications with the refurbished equivalent memory not yet available. It is also likely to have extensive support and documentation which may not be available for older memory.

Buying refurbished RAM will often be cheaper than buying new, important when working with a limited budget. It also reduces the amount of electronic produced as an existing component is reused. Some lower specification or older memory may also no longer be in production new so buying refurbished may be the only option.

What is the difference between DDR3, DDR4 etc?

DDR4, DDR5 etc are different generations of RAM with newer standards offering improved speed, performance, and often reduced power consumption.

Modules from different generations are not compatible due to differing pin layouts and positioning of the notches on the memory and memory slots. If you are looking to replace DDR4 memory for example the module you replace it with must also be DDR4.

What is the difference between registered and unregistered memory?

Registered memory has a buffer (register) on it that works between the system’s memory controller and the memory chips.

With unbuffered RAM the memory controller of the system communicates directly with the memory chips, whilst with registered memory it instead communicates with the intermediary registers. This is slightly slower however it allows the memory controller to deal with a larger amount of memory with added stability and as a result is often found in server environments.

Due to the extra circuitry required registered memory is usually more expensive than unregistered.

What is ECC memory?

ECC (Error correction code) memory contains additional chips and circuitry in order to detect and correct some kinds of errors with the data stored that can occur during memory operations. It is identifiable by counting the chips on the RAM itself, with non-ECC 8 chips will be present whereas ECC memory will have 9. The extra bit in each memory block is used as a parity bit, providing a checksum allowing detection of errors to occur.

ECC memory is usually used in servers, high end workstations and other systems where data integrity is critical. It is generally more expensive and may slightly reduce performance due to extra operations required for error detection and correction. For most home systems non-ECC memory is usually sufficient.

What is the difference between desktop and laptop memory?

Laptop RAM tends to typically use the SoDIMM form factor whilst desktops (with some exceptions such as tiny form factor machines) tend to use DIMMs.  SoDIMM memory is smaller so the 2 are not interchangeable.

How can I find what memory I need?

The easiest way is to check the part number on your existing memory. Searching for this part number will allows to replace the RAM with the same model. You can find our guide to identifying part numbers here. If you are looking for a memory upgrade with a higher capacity than the existing modules this will of course not provide suitable parts.

The next place to check would be the manufacturer’s documentation for the machine. This may have come with the machine but otherwise may be available on their website. This can take the form of the maintenance manual or a parts portal where replacement spare parts are listed and possibly available to buy. If you cannot find this information it may be worth contacting the manufacturer directly in order to obtain it.

If you cannot find a part number using these methods or are just looking to widen your options in terms of the price and availability of memory then you can instead find RAM by checking its specifications for compatibility with your machine. Some memory manufacturers offer online tools that may be able to aide in this.

Can I mix brands of memory?

It is possible to mix memory from different manufacturers, however this can sometimes lead to compatibility issues. To minimise this try to match the specification of the memory modules such as speed, capacity, timings as close as possible, but this is not guarantee you will avoid any problems.

How do I fit the new RAM?

It is important to remember that any work on your machine runs the risk of damaging it if carried out incorrectly. If you are not confident replacing computer memory yourself, please contact an engineer or technician to carry out the work. Below is a rough guide carried out at your own risk.

Before adding or replacing memory shut down the PC or laptop and disconnect it from the mains. To minimise the potential for electrostatic damage touch a metal part of the case or ideally use an anti static wrist strap.

The first step is to locate the memory slots. On a desktop machine this will mean opening the case, often by sliding off the side panel. Accessing the RAM slots on a laptop will vary depending on the machine- on some machines this will just mean removing one cover on the base of the machine. On other laptop models this can mean removing considerably more covers and components. Please consult your machine’s maintenance manual and if in doubt contact a professional technician.

Once the slots are accessible the next step is to remove existing memory if required. Push down on the clips or levers on each side of the memory to unseat it then remove it gently, at an angle if necessary. Avoid touching the gold contacts on the RAM.

To install the new memory align the notch in the RAM with the notch on the memory slot. The memory will only fit one way due to the notch. Gently push the memory into the slot evenly until it is seated. The slots/levers on both sides should click into place once the RAM is in place correctly.

Once the case/laptop is closed or reassembled it is time to test the new memory is working correctly. The quickest way to check is to access the system information in the BIOS once the machine is powered up. The new memory capacity should be displayed.

If the amount of RAM showing does not match what you are expecting it is worth trying to reseat the memory or to try a different memory slot. If this does not resolve the problem the memory may be incompatible or defective or there may even be an issue with the machine itself. Please consult your machine’s documentation for troubleshooting steps.

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