Need More RAM

D

dnamertz

New Member
My computer is at least 5 years old and I think it could use more RAM (currently only has 256 MB). It's a Dell Dimension 4550 with a Pentium 4 2GHz. I'm not sure what too look for in RAM that would be compatible. Can anyone guide me in the right direction?
 
My old PC was a Dimension 4500 - it was capable of taking 1 GB or DDR PC2700 333mhz Ram.

I upgraded to 2 of these 512mb PC3200 DDR400 RAM ( Your MOBO will limit the speed - so it will clock down to 333 mhz ). You could probably do the same. For web browsing - upgrading to 1 GB is night and day from what you have now.

If you are really limited in funds - you could just buy one - and run it with what you have now - for 768 mb. I had mine running at that for a while before I upgraded my second SDRAM stick to get to 1GB.

According Bodaggit's Link - looks like your PC has the same RAM requirements as my old 4500. The Kingston I linked to should work fine.
 
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Jamin43 said:
My old PC was a Dimension 4500 - it was capable of taking 1 GB or DDR PC2700 333mhz Ram.

I upgraded to 2 of these 512mb PC3200 DDR400 RAM ( Your MOBO will limit the speed - so it will clock down to 333 mhz ). You could probably do the same. For web browsing - upgrading to 1 GB is night and day from what you have now.

If you are really limited in funds - you could just buy one - and run it with what you have now - for 768 mb. I had mine running at that for a while before I upgraded my second SDRAM stick to get to 1GB.

According Bodaggit's Link - looks like your PC has the same RAM requirements as my old 4500. The Kingston I linked to should work fine.
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If I'm going to just add one card for now, should I not go higher than 512 mb...or will my current PC be able to handle the 1GB?
 
I don't plan on buying online, I will go into a store (probably Best Buy). So, if they don't have the exact model you guys provided links to, what specifications do I need to look for? What specifications will mean it's compatible with my computer?
 
DUDE, just a fair warning, best buys prices could be double what you will find off new egg, they bump that price up so far its crazy...

So unless you want to pay double for the same item i would buy off newegg, or tiger.

E.G. i went to go buy some ram, but at best buy it costs 60 bucks for2 gigs of ram, i just said screw it, im going on newegg and buying it for 35 lol and i did :P
 
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mx344 said:
DUDE, just a fair warning, best buys prices could be double what you will find off new egg, they bump that price up so far its crazy...

So unless you want to pay double for the same item i would buy off newegg, or tiger.

E.G. i went to go buy some ram, but at best buy it costs 60 bucks for2 gigs of ram, i just said screw it, im going on newegg and buying it for 35 lol and i did :P
Click to expand...

That is why I'm asking what is compatible. Best Buy (online) has some 512MB for $19.99 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ValueRA...dule/9414289.p?id=1218101177240&skuId=9414289...and some for $54.99 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PNY+-+5...mory/6578713.p?id=1077630669390&skuId=6578713.

What's the difference? Will both work with my computer?
 
dnamertz said:
That is why I'm asking what is compatible. Best Buy (online) has some 512MB for $19.99 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ValueRA...dule/9414289.p?id=1218101177240&skuId=9414289...and some for $54.99 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PNY+-+5...mory/6578713.p?id=1077630669390&skuId=6578713.

What's the difference? Will both work with my computer?
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They are both 184Pin DDR 3200 / 400mhz RAM - I'd get the Kingston. What's the difference - I don't know besides being sold under a name brand ( although the Value Line is made by Kingston and has a lifetime warranty too. Might not be able to overclock the Value Line - but you're dealing with an old PC that you probably aren't overclocking the RAM anyway )

Kingston Value Line - works -

PNY is a name brand ( sold as Gaming Series - o.c. capable ?? )

As far as actual performance - I don't think you'd notice any difference between the two.
 
I got out the manual for my computer and it says the memory types that are compatible are "DDR 333 (non-ECC) only on computers with 533 -MHz system clock speed" or "DDR 266 (non-ECC) on computers with either 400- or 533-MHz system clock speed".

How do I tell what my computer's "system clock speed" is?
 
If your Dimension 4550 is a 533MHz FSB (Front Side Bus) use at least the PC2700 memory returned by the configurator (don't use PC2100). For 400MHz FSB use PC2100 memory (faster memory should also work). (If your CPU is 2.2GHz or less you're running a 400MHz FSB, if it's higher you're running a 533MHz FSB.)
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Whether it's the 400 mhz or 533 mhz - Either way - the PC3200 DDR will work it's faster than both the 2100 and 2700.

The PC3200 400 mhz Ram will run at the lower speed that your MOBO hardware allows. My old Dell was built to take PC2700 - and runs the PC3200 just fine.
 
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