Dell Dimension 3000 Memory Upgrade

slipperysam_2

I recently purchased a Dell Dimension 3000 with 256 Mb of RAM (2x128 Mb DDR DIMMS). I would now like to upgrade to at least 512 Mb. Question is do I have to buy directly from Dell or are there cheaper compatibles available out there? Also do I have to install a pair (2x256Mb) or can I fit a single 512 Mb strip?

Thanks

Sam.

T4i

Looking at the Dell website it says the following:-

-256 MB shared DDR RAM upgradeable to 2048 MB DDR RAM
-Dual Channel DDR RAM at 333/400 MHz
-Available configurations are 256, 512. 1024 or 2048MB
-2 DIMM sockets


Not quite sure if you need 333 or 400Mhz RAM. Its unclear to me. It does say the FSB for the 3000 is 800Mhz so I'm guessing 400Mhz RAM is the one.

You have two DIMM slots so you can go 2x256MB or 1x512MB. It does have the option of Dual Channel which means if you buy a pair of 256MB they will run in dual channel.

http://www.cpuplanet.com/features/article.php/1587771
^^ About Dual Channel ^^

alared

The easiest way to find compatiable memory is to go here and put in your system.
With a Dell computer you will have to replace the two 128`s with two 256`s.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/

For the cost is it really worth it?
You`ll be left with two spare 128`s as there are only two slots on the Dell.
I`m running on two x 128`s myself and having tried my brother`s computer which is also a Dell but running on two x 256`s,I`m not convinced it is any faster or better.
Save your money and stick with what you`ve got.

slipperysam_2

Thanks for all the swift replies. I think I have found something suitable here http://www.orcalogic.co.uk/asp/prodtype.asp?prodtype=9451&ft=M&st=1#
A 256 Mb DIMM is £23.50 inc VAT delivered. Not a bad price (compared to what Dell were asking for).

Sam.

alared

You`ll need to buy two,won`t you?

T4i

£47 isn't bad for 512MB. Just don't go for unbranded RAM with no warranty.

blinky

Crucial are doing 512Mb PC3200 (400MHz) for £32 something at the moment.

T4i

Nice!

You can't go wrong with Crucial.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT6464Z40B&cat=RAM - DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • UNBUFFERED • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V • 64Meg x 64 - £32.89

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT6472Z40B&cat=RAM -
DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • UNBUFFERED • ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V • 64Meg x 72 - £42.29

Both are one stick of 512MB. Less to go wrong with one stick than two sticks..

slipperysam_2

Both are one stick of 512MB. Less to go wrong with one stick than two sticks..

Crucial sounds like a better deal, but just to clarify do I or do I not need to install matched pairs of RAM, or can I go for a single 512MB stick, and are they Dell compatible?

**Edit - Just answered my own questions by going to the Crucial Memory Advisor, they are compatible and should be installed in pairs**


Thanks
Sam.

blinky

Depends if the motherboard has a dual channel chipset. With only two slots I would guess that it doesn't.

How old is the machine?

Download CPU-Z

unzip it and run it.

Go to the mainboard tab

The third line down says chipset, post the contents of the line and we'll confirm if it has dual or single channel memory support.

Dell sometimes re-use the same model numbers but I think the 3000 uses the Intel 845 chipset which is single channel only.

slipperysam_2

Not at home at the moment but can provide these details...

PC is only a few weeks old
Model is Dimension 3000 P4 processor (3.0GHz, 800fsb, 1MB cache)
Existing memory is 256MB DDR400 Dual Channel Memory (2x128)

Sam.