Evaluate your current SIMM computer memory capabilities

Make sure your computer is equipped to run the software you use with maximum efficiency. In order to do this you need to compare your current memory capabilities with the minimum software requirements.

I recommend: You can refer to tech support sites such as 4all memory for instructions on how to find your current system memory configuration. Or you can log onto Computer Hope and have them diagnose your system for you.

Maximize the SIMM memory on older computers

It's possible to skip a generation of software and keep your business running smoothly, but sooner or later you will need to upgrade to take advantage of the current version's time and cost-saving features. Even with older software, you will still find a noticeable improvement if you upgrade to the fastest SIMMs with the most memory available to your computer. Some computers shipped with SIMMs in DIMM slots to hold down purchase cost, which can provide even significant improvements by allowing you to double the RAM capacity of each memory component (you cannot, however, use DIMMs in SIMM slots).

I recommend: Do a serious price and feature comparison. A number of sites, such as PriceRunner and BizRate allow you to compare vendor prices. If you know exactly what you want, you can go directly to an online vendor such as Memory Suppliers or Computer Memory Outlet.

Replace computers using older SIMM RAM memory chips with computers using better chips

The truth is, the world has passed SIMM memory by. You may be able to hold onto your fleet for another couple of years, especially if you are willing to stick with Windows XP or older operating systems. Sooner or later, however, you will want to upgrade to a faster system with faster DDR2 memory and a bigger hard drive. You can't simply replace older SIMMs with the new SDRAM chips because the motherboards and logic chips weren't designed to access them. You could replace the motherboards on your systems. Motherboard upgrades work well in any many systems, although other older components will still run slow and some may need to be replaced to work with the new board. In addition, if your budget allows it, replacing your outdated machines with entirely new ones may prove to be the most cost effective in the long run.

I recommend: If you have your own hardware support staff, you can buy replacement motherboards online at Fry’s Electronics. Unlike other vendors, Fry’s sorts their motherboards by the socket type, making it easier to find the right upgrade board for your CPU. Dell’s Precision T7400 workstations will access up to 128 GB with the expected release of 8 GB DIMMs. Hewlett Packard offers a lower priced Pavilion Elite d5000t ATX series workstation with up to 8 GB of DDR2 SDRAM.