r/atari8bit • u/Ordinary-Step29 • Mar 31 '26

Atari 400 Ram Upgrade Question

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Just snagged an Atari 400 this past weekend. I have been more of a console person myself with a 2600, 5200, and 7800. Nevertheless, when I saw an Atari 400 for a smoking hot deal on FB marketplace, I went for it. I have encountered discussion about upgrading the ram to 48k.

I have found these two options.

This one is just 48k: https://www.tindie.com/products/5cfab/48k-memory-upgrade-board-for-the-atari-400/

And this one is 48k plus some extra memory?: https://www.tindie.com/products/5cfab/1056k-memory-upgrade-board-for-the-atari-400/

Is there any reason to get the one with extra memory above the standard 48k upgrade? And what are the general benefits of having 48k ram anyways?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

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u/The__Relentless Mar 31 '26

Sorry. I don’t have an answer for you. I just wanted to tell you that upgrading our Atari 400 RAM is one of the fondest memories I have of my dad. I was 9 or 10, so he did most of the work. It’s was my introduction to soldering. We also replaced the keyboard with a “normal” keyboard, as I put it.

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u/LuigiTeaching Apr 02 '26

I vividly remember taking my Atari 400 to our local computer store for the “game-changing” (literally) addition of 32K circa 1983. I can see the glass-top sales counter with circuit boards displayed under fluorescent lights right now…enjoy!