RAM and storage question

[hollow121314]

right now i have 512x2 (1024) RAM sticks in my computer. If i buy a 1gb stick could i remove one of the 512 sticks and put in the 1gb (so i will have 1536 ram)?


I think i might buy an external harddrive too but im not really sure how they work.

• 1. how do they connect to your pc.
  2. Can i easily play games off of them .
  3. Are they reliable.
  4. I found an 80gb hdd that was more expensive than a 250gb...why?

[TomClancey]

Yes, you could, but you have to make sure you purchase the right kind of RAM.

[hollow121314]

yeah i went on this website, it scans your pc then gives you a bunch of product suggestions

[TomClancey]

• 1. how do they connect to your pc.
  2. Can i easily play games off of them .
  3. Are they reliable.
  4. I found an 80gb hdd that was more expensive than a 250gb...why?

1. They connect via USB. Though, why not make it internal.
2. Most likely, I've never tried. See above.
3. Yes, very.
4. Depends what kind of Hard drive it is, SCSI are much more expensive then SATA or IDE, but I do not believe they come in 80 gb.

I would suggest getting a 250gb+ hard drive and making it internal, saves you money. Since, the enclosure for the Hard drive is quite expensive.

[hollow121314]

will there be enough space in my computer for another harddrive?

[Patrickssj6]

will there be enough space in my computer for another harddrive?

Depends...if an IDE channel is free then yes. Also check for SATA support etc. We need more information.

Also, I don't recommend running anything at realtime off your external HDD.

[hollow121314]

K i found a seagate 320gb internal harddrive for only like $60 so im gonna check it out. I dont have too much knowledge with the installation but does anyone know how to check if i can hook up another harddrive? Is the connector thing that grey, about 2 inch wide strip?

[Patrickssj6]

If your current Harddrive is connected by this cable right now:


As you can see, it has basically 2 end pieces. One is called the masters (in case you only have one HDD, it should be attached to that one) that's the end piece and the one in the middle is called the slave which is for the slave drive. If your slave drive attachment has no drive attached to it and you are buying an appropriate HDD it should be attached to that part.

Notice that you also may have to set things called "jumpers".

http://images.google.de/images?svnum=10 ... rch+Images

They define your primary (master) and secondary (slave) drive. By default they are set to "let cable choose" which means that master and slave are defined by where you attach them on the IDE cable (like I told you above).

That's actually all theres too it, make sure you are careful with those pins and you have enough system power and cables to attach a power cable to the drive.

[metkillerjoe]

Connecting anything externally is a headache. I have a remote media server which I run movies, music, games, and work off of. Other than programs becoming snails, everything runs.

Still, run it off internal. You'll save yourself a week's worth of bugs and problems.

[hollow121314]

thanks guys. yeah i still didnt buy the seagate internal drive but im goin to check it out today. The guy at the geek squad section looks like mikey from american choppers so ill ask him.

and tomclancey: heres the 80 i was talking about, im definately not gettingthis though, im goin for an internal 320gb