Using old RAM

[Xyrophlex]

My dad's bought a new PC to replace his old one that is around just under a decade old, so he's letting me use any of his old components to upgrade my computer. The only part that I think I can use is the RAM, 8GB DDR. I currently have only 4GB DDR3, 1333MHz. The only things that I really need to know is a) Whether the old 8GB DDR would fit into my motherboard, and b) Whether it would improve the multitasking capabilites of my PC. Sorry if these seem like basic questions, I'm not very knowledgable on how RAM works.
Any advice is appreciated! Thanks

 

[i7Baby]

You;d have to tell us what make and model ram it is and what make and model motherboard you want to put it in.

 

[Xyrophlex]

You;d have to tell us what make and model ram it is and what make and model motherboard you want to put it in.

Alright, I'll try from the top of my head.
The RAM sticks are by Dell, and I'll be moving them onto a Micro-ATX ASUS Motherboard for socket 1155. Is tehre anything else needed?

 

[Ijack]

DDR3 memory has been in use for less than a decade. Therefore the memory in your Dad's computer can't be DDR3. You can't use it in your computer.

 

[i7Baby]

If you can get more precise on the ram, maybe it'll work. Else - as said - its probably ddr2 ram and won't work.

 

[Xyrophlex]

DDR3 memory has been in use for less than a decade. Therefore the memory in your Dad's computer can't be DDR3. You can't use it in your computer.

Alright, that's a shame. So RAM slots that are DDR3 can not be put in DDR2 slots, and vice versa?

 

[caqde]

A) Well that would need to be 8GB DDR3 to fit. (DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 are incompatible with eachother). Although given the amount of memory being 8GB I'm assuming it is either DDR3 or DDR2 not DDR.

You could google the information written on the sticks to see what type of memory it really is including the size and speed. Just make sure it is DDR3 before trying to install it in your system the speed is not really an issue.

B) If it does fit then it can in memory limited cases improve multitasking. Basically if your computer needs more room to work then it would help (think of adding memory as giving yourself a bigger desk to work on. You can put more things on the desk if you have a larger desk without the need to put things away first). The most obvious time that more memory helps is if you are running into situations where your computer becomes really slow and almost unresponsive and your HDD light is flickering like crazy. Otherwise it certainly won't slow the computer down as long as the speed is at least as fast as your current memory.

 

[i7Baby]

You can't use ddr2 in ddr3 ram slots