You’ll just end up with 1.5G RAM
you can. I would. only thing is make sure they are the same type and clockspeed memory.
If it’s an older computer or different memory speeds, you may hit a snag. Otherwise, leave it in and end up with a gig and a half RAM.
You haven’t had to have matched pairs since SIMMs, you can leave the 512 in and add the 1gb.
The only reasons people think that you have to have matching pairs now is that you can run memory in what referred to as “Dual Channel”, meaning that the memory runs a bit faster when you have 2 sticks of identical memory size and model from the same manufacturer, though it isn’t needed to run in single channel mode.
So you’re all set!
and make sure you ground yourself and all power cords are disconnected before you touch the motherboard. static discharge will cause you headaches for a long time.
I imagine the blocks of RAM are the same type and frequency? If so, shove them both in!
How many slots are in the motherboard?
If there are 2 slots, I'd install only one DIMM.
If there are 4 slots, you can try installing each DIMM in alternate slots. If the slots have different colors on the retention tabs, install a DIMM in each color.
It should "work" in any case. But, you may suffer degraded performance. You can test the performance of each configuration with this:
Note that you have to burn this to a CD and boot from it. You need CD-burning software that knows how to burn an ISO. If yours does not, you can find a simple one here:
As long as there are sufficient RAM expansion ports, you add as much as you like in whatever increments you want. The two RAM SIMMs of DIMMs do not have to be the same size.
Also, when installing the RAM, remember to ground yourself to avoid destroying the RAM from ESD before your friend ever gets a chance to power his computer on and use it.
"Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)"
I'd like to thank the guy who wrote the song that made my baby fall in love with me...
Who put the bomp in the bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp
Who put the ram in the ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong
Who put the bop in the bop-she-bop-she-bop
Who put the dip in the dip-de-dip-de-dip
Who was that man, I'd like to shake his hand
He made my baby fall in love with me (yeah!)
When my baby heard bomp-bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp-bo-bomp-bomp
Every word went right into her heart
And when she heard them singing ram-a-lama-lama-lama-lama-ding-dong
She said we'd never have to part
Do it right and he'll just love this upgrade!
Also, remove the 512MB stick from Slot A and put the 1GB in its place. Put the 512MB in Slot B.
Bump
Make sure they are both identical...except for size...and install the 1Gb module in slot 1 and the smaller one in slot two. That’s all. As long as both are the same type, clock speed, etc.
If mixed speed RAM's are used, the PC will operate at the slowest memory speed.