Wuestion re Dell memory

muffler

I have a Dell dimension 4550 with 256mb ram. I was thinking of adding another 512 to it.

First question- will this then give me 768 or will I stay on 512.

second and most important question - I was told that you can only add official dell branded memory to the PC which is quite expensive. Does anyone know if this is correct.

BTW the PC is long gone out of warranty so adding more memory (apart from dells) will not be a problem in that regard

Thanks

Explosive_Cornflake

You'll have 768. Go to www.shop4memory.co.uk. They have a memory configurator that'll pick the ram you need. They'll be much cheaper than dell. The postage is free and they are based in kildare.

Cal

It will give you 768MB and you can buy Dell compatible RAM in a few places. Try www.shop4memory.com


Cal.

EDIT: SNAP!!!!!!

muffler

Thanks for the replies lads. I have bought a couple of things before from shop4memory and found the prices great.

So there is no problem with installing additional dell compatible memory?

I suppose that rumour is a bit like the printer/cartridge thing where the manufacturer says that the use of other cartridges MAY invalidate the warranty

Cal

muffler wrote:

So there is no problem with installing additional dell compatible memory?

No problem at all. Same as all other ram when it comes to fitting.

Cal

SeanW

Does anyone know if this is correct.

This is NOT correct.

You can get away with using non-specialised memory, as long as you know the type you're presently using.

With Dells though if you're going to do that you have to chuck the old stick.

It's a simple value proposition - will you spend less money either buying 768 MB generic new, or 512 MB custom for Dell?

I did that and saved heaps of money and it works fine now (though I had to reinstall Windows once when the original stick died)

Cal

SeanW wrote:

This is NOT correct.

You can get away with using non-specialised memory, as long as you know the type you're presently using.

With Dells though if you're going to do that you have to chuck the old stick.

It's a simple value proposition - will you spend less money either buying 768 MB generic new, or 512 MB custom for Dell?

I did that and saved heaps of money and it works fine now (though I had to reinstall Windows once when the original stick died)

WHY would you have to chuck your present memory?

It is quite simple. Buy some Dell compatible generic memory and add it to what you have already.

Cal.

muffler

SeanW wrote:

With Dells though if you're going to do that you have to chuck the old stick.QUOTE]


Sean, do you mean that i would have to get rid of the memory stick already installed.

is it necessary to perform a windows reinstall after installing more memory?

Sorry if the questions seem stupid but Im not too well up on these things

Cal

muffler wrote:

Sean, do you mean that i would have to get rid of the memory stick already installed.

is it necessary to perform a windows reinstall after installing more memory?

Sorry if the questions seem stupid but Im not too well up on these things

Keep your memory and no there is no need to reinstall windows.

Cal

astrofool

You can safely ignore seanW's post muffler.

Wertz

Why the hell would you throw away the old stick???

I had a Dim4500 with 256mb too, and added a 512mb stick (from crucial)...that was 2 years back, not a single problem apart from the stick dying and needing RMAed (most RAM is lifetime guaranteed, except for the stick that comes in a prebuolt like a Dell)...once the speed, latency and ECC are the same then there should be no problems

I'm sure Dell put about that rumour so that they can sell overpriced upgrades; RAM, optical drives and HDDs are about the only thing that you can upgrade with generic stuff in a Dell...

SeanW

My apologies for the confusion my original post caused, I should have explained.

I started out with 128MB which I got with the PC.

I wanted to upgrade, was quoted something crazy like €100 for another 128MB so I bought 128MB generic PC2100 RAM instead for half the price, or less, from the same place.

6 months later 128 that came with the computer died and I had to pull it and start all over again, at which point I bought 512MB again, the cheapest generic stuff I could find with no mention of Dell. New total, 640MB.

You DON'T have to reinstall windows unless a RAM chip becomes faulty, then some system files might get corrupted.

In my case I can't say for sure that adding generic PC2100 was what eventually banjaxed the first one, but even if it did, the cost of buying 640MB of new generic memory was probably less than that of buying 512 MB "Dell compatible" RAM.

And yes, every upgrade DELL sells is overpriced.

Cal

SeanW.

You are suggesting buying standard ram for a Dell PC.

That is a big risk and you may well end up with ram that will be usless for that PC. Yes some Dell PC's can take standard ram but not all and hardly worth the risk.

Cal.

SeanW

Look, all I'm saying is that the OP should look at their current RAM for notes such as "PC2100" "PC2700" etc, and consider buying on that basis.

The OPs system may work with standard RAM in which case he could save a fair deal of money on a large upgrade.

You're right though it's not foolproof, and could be more trouble than it's worth. I'm just saying the OP shouldn't automatically assume they need specialist RAM.

Hell, if the OP is good re: regular backups, he could even try adding a generic 512.

Cal

SeanW wrote:

Look, all I'm saying is that the OP should look at their current RAM for notes such as "PC2100" "PC2700" etc, and consider buying on that basis.

The OPs system may work with standard RAM in which case he could save a fair deal of money on a large upgrade.

You're right though it's not foolproof, and could be more trouble than it's worth. I'm just saying the OP shouldn't automatically assume they need specialist RAM.

Hell, if the OP is good re: regular backups, he could even try adding a generic 512.

For your information some of the Dell recommonded ram is cheaper than more mainstream ram.

And why would someones ability to have a good backup routine mean that they should try some similarly spec'd ram in their PC?

Take it from someone who knows. Stick with the ram as recommended by the memory configurator. Don't just go purchasing any ram in the slight chance that it may work.

Cal

muffler

Thanks again lads for the replies. It appears that the answer to my first question has been answered - Yes I can install memory other than the Dell brand.

But now I am a bit confused. Generally speaking the non-dell memory would probably be cheaper to buy but is it as good? There seems to a slight difference of opinion as to what is the best type to use.

I checked out the dell site a little while ago and could not find any memory modules for my particular model.

Anyone got any further comments on the best course of action here - install the Dell memory or shop around and install possibly cheaper Dell compatable memory?

Explosive_Cornflake

Just use the configurator and you'll be good to go.

the_syco

http://memory.neon-drive.com/s4m.php?model_num=12&oemid=DEL&thisman=DELL
512MB = €41

My family PC is a Dell. It has the memory that came with it + memory that I put in.

Find out what type of RAM is in it @ the mo, and go from there.

jor el

Check the current type of RAM you have first too. Is it PC2100 or PC2700? It may not make a difference, but sometimes you shouldn't mix the two together.

The link posted by the_syco has DDR266 (PC2100) and 333 (PC2700) so just pick the same one you already have and you'll be fine. You can check your system configuration by entering the service tag number on Dell's website. Or look at your current module and see does it have PC2100/PC2700 or DDR266/333 written on it. Also, make sure you have a spare memory slot on the motherboard for the new DIMM.