[PC] Replacing RAM

What are the steps to efficiently replacing ones RAM? All I know is that you should buy RAM in pairs. I can look up my complete system information off of Dell.com so I don't have to worry about purchasing the wrong kind.

Currently I have four slots total, two are being occupied by x2 512MB RAM sticks. Should I purchase x2 1GB RAM sticks? Or another x2 512MB RAM.

Also, is there any trick to doing it, some sort of scan/defrag/partition(?) you should do before installing it?

Is 2GB good enough for most anything out, or should I go for 3GB or 4GB.

No tricks except that you might need the higher capacity ones first (in the slots aleady used).

So, if I buy x2 1GB sticks, I should remove the x2 512MB. Insert the 1GB sticks in their place, and then place the 512's into my open slots?

yes if your original ram chip set is not in your computer your computer will not work right ive tryed it with out the original ram in and it wouldnt even start

I bought x4 1GB sticks of RAM.

ok cjeck how mant extra ram chip set slots you have

I bought x4 1GB sticks of RAM.

Good choice. My first thought when I read you were getting 2gb was that you should get 4gb instead. You'll want it eventually anyway. With 4 gb ram, you'll be doing very well. Look toward upgrading the rest of your stuff (video card, processor) in the near future and your computer will be able to run pretty much anything out right now.