Noob Memory Question

Will adding a 512 memory stick to my system from my old Compaq computer have my system perform better or just make it worse? I'm not sure what kind of memory it is, it just says 512 and it came from an old Compaq computer.

Odd's are it will conflict with what is already in your system. You can put it in and give it a try, but at the same time, if it is PC2700 for example, and the rest of your memory is PC3200 for example, the PC3200 will run at PC2700 speeds.

i'd search for the chip codes or the compaq part number to see what it is, but it's 90% gonna be not useful