Nooby Questions - about Desktop PC

What exactly does it mean to "upgrade" your computer?

add new/better parts, or replace current parts with better ones.

Upgrade10. to improve the quality, value, effectiveness, or performance of something: Buy this basic computer and upgrade whenever you're ready.

usually refers to addition of RAM, addition/replacement of processor/cpu, new or newer video/3d/sound card

or if you have an old pc it might mean buying or building a new one if the parts to upgrade the current one doesn't fit the spec you desire

so..when upgrading a PC..RAM comes in first...is there a particular RAM that you must look for and must avoid?

Replying to #6

RAM doesnt necessarily come first. But im in the process of upgrading ram at the moment, depending on your motherboard RAM differs greatly, you need to check the manufacturers website for your PC to see what kind of ram your PC needs.

how is the RAM relative to the motherboard? please give an example

well if it is really old it could be sram or it could be ddr or if its only a few years old it will most probably be ddr2, you need to get the ram your motherboard supports.easiest way to see what you have is just open the side of the pc case and read the sticker on the ram and then also read the model and make of your motherboard google it and see what it supports of if your completely lost post what you have on here and i'm sure someone will tell you what you can do with it

You can also try to install PCWizard, open it then check the model and manufacturer of your motherboard and contact them to see what you can do with it. It might take more time, though.

easier to undo 2 screws slide the side off, write it down and google it