Buying memory need advice

The guy at the computer repair shop said my system was over heating. He replaced it with some type of cooling system = 2 fans and charged only $15
I have noticed that the more I put on my computer, the more sluggish it gets.

I asked him what type of memory my system would take, and he told me DDR333. I know I have two memory slots, and only 1 512 memory stick. I was planning on buying another 512mb of memory to gain 1gig. I wouldn't mind 2 gig, but don't want to have to pay $100+ per stick.

Is there anything else I need to know when looking online for memory to purchase? Are there any brands that are noticeably better than the others, or are they about all the same? Do I have to watch out if they sell the 512 memory as one stick or two 256 memory sticks?

When I got below 10gig that it would get very slow, and wouldn't even run windows defrag. The shop repair guy did take some programs off, and freed up my computer to 28 gigs free. It does seem to run better.

The only thing I have a problem playing is Sims2, besides of running out of room in general. It takes about 10 minutes to load and is very sluggish. I was thinking 1gig of memory and a 2nd hard drive with 400gig (Tiger Direct had a sale. I got segate barracuda 400gig for $89) would free up space on the my current hard drive, and improve system performance. Will that take care of my Sims being sluggish?

 

$100+ per stick? Take a look at link. Depending on where you live ( i.e. U.S. or U.K.) You can get much better deals.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145086

 

Thanks, that is much cheaper. The SDRAM threw me off. The repair guy didn't say anything about SDRAM though. My husband said it should work, and then told me to go look at the memory chip I have now. Me pull out a chip? :confused He thinks I can do it, or is there a way to tell without having to do so?

 

If you download PCWizard, it will give you the info you need.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/PC_Wizard_d3846.html
Look under Hardware (the PC icon), click physical memory, and all the info will pop up in the lower window.

 

Thank You for the program. It told me that I have 1 512 DDR SDRAM. I think I'll go ahead and order the 1gig chip. If I can't use the 1gig with the 512 chip I already have, then I'll just have the 1gig chip. I can add another gig later on when I gather a little more money together.