Topic: RAM Upgrade questions?

[Nate]

I did a search, but what I found was so outdated, didn't help me.

I guess I'm getting confused about what RAM to buy?    I'll spell out the specs and let you guys give me some guidance.
I have a 2.5 year old Dell Dimension 2400 Desktop that needs more RAM.  I can put up to 1 GB into it. I think I have 256 now and a total of 2 slots.

I went to the Dell site and looked for the memory upgrade recommendation they tell me this:
   
DELL
1 GB Module for a Dell Dimension 2400 Series System
$130.46
Package Type: 184-pin
     Package Type: 184-pin DIMM
     Logical Type: 128Meg x 64
     Logical Type: 128x64
     Speed: 99.000
     Speed: PC3200 / 400 MHz
     Description: PC3200 is listed as an option for this system and will either operate at 266MHz or 333MHz depending on the FSB setting. The system is not capable of operating
     Description: Non-Parity, Unbuffered
     Units Required: 1
     Install Notes: Desktop/PC
     System Type: Desktop/PC

Went to www.crucial.com and they tell me:

DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V • 128Meg x 64
$119


Questions:   
1...Should I go ahead and spend the $$ to get the PC133 or just go with PC3200?   Which one is better...or faster?

2.  Any recommendations on a place to buy?   newegg? www.compugeeks.com?  Outpost.com?

Thanks,

Nate


               

[sleepypedro]

where are you getting PC133 from as a valid option?  it's not.  you need DDR RAM, not SD-RAM.

your real question is 'do i really need PC3200, or can i skimp and get a slower rated DDR memory?'

i'd stick with whatever the speed is of your existing RAM stick... but you can pretty much put any DDR speed in there, just know that your existing chips will clock down to the slowest RAM timing present.

i'd wait and pounce on a really cheeeep DDR deal, personally.  i just bought a 1gb stick of 2700 for like $25 a few months ago.

[Nate]

where are you getting PC133 from as a valid option?  it's not.  you need DDR RAM, not SD-RAM.

your real question is 'do i really need PC3200, or can i skimp and get a slower rated DDR memory?'

i'd stick with whatever the speed is of your existing RAM stick... but you can pretty much put any DDR speed in there, just know that your existing chips will clock down to the slowest RAM timing present.

i'd wait and pounce on a really cheeeep DDR deal, personally.  i just bought a 1gb stick of 2700 for like $25 a few months ago.

Thanks Peter!!!!   
I am having a problem figuring out just what I needed, since I really did not understand the difference.   So, what you are saying is that i should check the RAM I have in there now and just get something that is equally as slow?   

It is safe to say that the processing speed of the RAM, the higher the number?  IE  PC2700 is slower than PC 3200?....with PC 133 being way slow?

thanks
Nate

[bdasilva]

PC133 is a diffrent type of ram all together...  Always buy from newegg.com If you look faster ram is not really more expensive.

[Nate]

PC133 is a diffrent type of ram all together...  Always buy from newegg.com If you look faster ram is not really more expensive.

I did check newegg.com and they have a great way of sorting it and displaying what you need.

This looks like what I need right here if I were to just buy a 512:
PNY Optima 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model D512MPC32OPT - Retail   $33.85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820236111


Kingston HyperX 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 433 (PC 3500) System Memory - Retail
From this thread, I should spend the extra few $$ and get this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144139      $48

Also, if I have 2 slots, is it best to buy 2 x 512 or 1 x 1GB?


Thoughts?

I appreciate the help guys...+Ts!

[rocksuitcase]

This looks like what I need right here if I were to just buy a 512:
PNY Optima 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model D512MPC32OPT - Retail   $33.85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820236111


Kingston HyperX 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 433 (PC 3500) System Memory - Retail
From this thread, I should spend the extra few $$ and get this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144139      $48

Also, if I have 2 slots, is it best to buy 2 x 512 or 1 x 1GB?

I prefer Kingston over PNY from a performance AND reliability POV.
Yes, buy 2 new 512's and ditch your old RAM.  (if you can afford it of course)
 

[Nate]

thanks for the help...this set me in the right direction.

[mmedley.]

I think you must buy 2. You have to add RAM in equal size pairs.....2 x 512MB or 2 x 256MB, etc.

[sleepypedro]

I think you must buy 2. You have to add RAM in equal size pairs.....2 x 512MB or 2 x 256MB, etc.

that hasn't been true in a long, long time.

[sygdwm]

i think you should run win2k on a p3. no matter how much ram.

[sygdwm]

whatever the max is. you will reach the point of diminishing return if you go over. 384 is plenty for win2k, remember those days?