My computer is fairly old: Pentium II, 333Mhz, Windows 98, with 64Mb of RAM. It can handle 384Mb SDRAM total.

Anyway, I've never upgraded the RAM on any of the computers I've owned, so this is new territory for me. My question is: will there be a noticeable increase in the overall performance of my PC if I were to upgrade the RAM to 384Mb from 64Mb? ...Or should I just save up and buy a better PC? :-/ (I really only use this one for word processing and access to the internet, not much else)If you have BROADBAND access RATHER than DIALUP that one should do just fine.

If you are upgrading RAM you should be careful to get the correct RAM for it. Just the rights speed is not enough. If that is a 333, then it will need PC66 RAM, although PC100 can be used. Frequently older machines require low density RAM, which is not being produced much anymore, so going to Best Buy, et. would probably cause problems. eBay would be economical IF you get the right thing or a major supplier.

www.crucial.com can tell you a lot about what you need. THeir prices are not cheap, but reasonable and they OFFER fast shipping, a lifetime waranty and guaranteed compatibility. They have a configurator which will tell you EXACTLY what you need, if you choose to shop elsewhere. Some motherboards are limited to the size of RAM chips and how much can added total.

If you are getting a lot of RAM, for a little more you could get a newer system that will last a little longer, be noticably faster, and be supported. Microsoft dropped support for Win98 this month. That does not mean it will not run (it will, and exactly like it used to), just that no new security updates will be available.

New low end machines can be had for $300 or so after rebate or on SALE with 512 RAM, new compomnents, Windows XP, larger hard drives, etc. You obviously don't need a state of the art Dual Core, 2 gig RAM machine for your usual activities.

So if you can post your computer make/model I can advise further.