adding RAM question (wrong forum?)

Simple question here: I currently have 512 ram, I want to double that to 1 gb.

Can i just get a 512 stick and install it, or do I need matching RAM etc.?

Ram is extremely finicky. You can't just buy any ol' 512, unfortunately.

What motherboard do you have, and what kind of ram do you currently have installed?

If you don't know, you can run this program on your computer, and tell us the results.

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/27-cpu-z.html

I just pulled a stick out of my MOBO and here is what it says:

IRx16 PC2-3200U-333-10-c1

so what do I need to look for when buying RAM?

ran CPU-z, here are the results:

MOBO: Dell OM3918

RAM: DDR2-SD

so what do I need to look for when shopping for RAM?

You need DDRII ram with a speed of 3200 (or DDR400) Here is an example of what you could get here

make sure u dont get something close to it to cuz if ur ram is a brand name and u get a diff brnd they dont like working together sometimes

Well since the Dell RAM is OEM, trying to find the brand will be very hard.

so, if I wanted to upgrade to 1gb I'd probably have to buy a whole gig and the previous 512 would be useless?

No.
Just get any stick of 512 ddr2 pc3200 and stick it in the box.
If it works, fine, if not take it back.

Yea as long as it is the same speed and interface, you should be fine. Although some Mobos are quite picky.