I bought a Dell desktop in 2002 and want to upgrade the ram. I'm not quite sure how to find out what type of ram I need. The computer came with 256mb. I would like to get two sticks of 512. I just need to know what kind. I know I'm giving no information, but I'm hoping someone will point me in the right direction. I heard that Dell was notorious for putting in limited ram in their desktops. I was hoping someone would know off hand what I need to buy.
People who are familiar with Dell
- Thread starter fronty
- Start date
Need to know the model of Dell
Kabu
banned
You can use Everest 2.20 to find the specs on your PC and go from there.
PohTayToez
Active Member
I would bet it's SDRAM, but if you could give us the model we could tell you for sure.
krncho
banned
Well just a recommendation, but in the next year or two, even one gig of RAM is going to be a "standard" If you're thinking about using your computer for next year or so, I don't think it's worth buying it. If you really want to get a performance boost and get ready for the future computing, (perhaps Vista) then I think it's better to buy a new system. Just s suggestion though. lol
Anyway, if it came with a 256mb of ram, I think it's like 2-3 years old right? If it is, then it's probably SDRAM.
Anyway, if it came with a 256mb of ram, I think it's like 2-3 years old right? If it is, then it's probably SDRAM.
The_Other_One
VIP Member
People, SD-RAM was pretty much phased out by 2000 or 2001. Most Dell's from that time were using DDR. But your best bet would be something like Everest, PC Wizard, or even CPU-z. Any of those should give you plenty of PC specs and what RAM the system uses. Also, if you simply look around the internet, you can typically find sites that explain the machine's maximum upgrade. 1GB sounds about right for it's max, but it could be limited to 512MB...
I have a Dimension 8250. I bought in in Jan 03. I called Dell to find out what ram I need and they said I have two sticks of 128 mb RDRAM (RAMBUS). There are four slots on the MB, so he was trying to sell me two 512mb sticks for a total after install of 1.256 GB. What is my best option right now?
No, I am not a gamer. I just use mainly MS Office and some other programs.
WRONG.
All common RAM today is SD-RAM. The full title of DDR is DDR SD-RAM. The SD stands for synchronous dynamic. That means it's synchronized with the system clock. You must be thinking of SDR SD-RAM. (which was measured in PC-100, PC-133 etc. for the MHz they ran at.)
jimmymac
VIP Member
i feared it might be RDRAM, its damn expensive in comparison to the normal ram you find in current desktops. You can have as search on ebay and the likes for it but its not easy to find a bargain on it. Unless someone here knows something else.
Think your looking at around £120+ for 1gb (about $200), afraid you cant use any other type of ram as the pins and slot design is different
PohTayToez
Active Member
I don't think he needs to go up to 1GB for his uses, he could go with 2 x 256MB and be fine. And don't buy it from dell, it will be way over priced... get it from eBay. Also, with RDRAM, keep in mind that you have to buy them as pairs... RDRAM only works when paired with another of the same kind.
jimmymac
VIP Member
PohTayToez
Active Member
Yes, but he's gone so long on 256, he's obviously not playing the latest games, so I think that 512 will do him fine, as RDRAM is so expensive. Also, did he check to make sure that 1GB would even be supported? I know a Dell guy quoted him a 1GB price, but I would bet that he didn't even check to see if it supported 1GB.
jimmymac
VIP Member
it#ll support up to 2gb of PC800.
He might have survived on 256mb but only getting 512mb now is not going to give much of an improvement. It would be more than worth moving to the 1gb range. The dimension i had was only 256mb and although it was enough at the time i was fairly restricted in what i could do, simply multitasking was nigh on impossible. Bumping it up to 1gb gave a great improvement.
He might have survived on 256mb but only getting 512mb now is not going to give much of an improvement. It would be more than worth moving to the 1gb range. The dimension i had was only 256mb and although it was enough at the time i was fairly restricted in what i could do, simply multitasking was nigh on impossible. Bumping it up to 1gb gave a great improvement.