Buying Memory? eek!

Post by **Cheesy** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 1:18 pm

Help! Cheesy wants more memory but he doesn't know what kind or how much he needs

Here's what I have right now, according to SiSoftware Sandra:

System
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Model : Dimension 4600
Serial Number : DQTFS31
ID : 4C4C4544-54100051-C0C44680-3133534F

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 4
Maximum Installable Memory : 4GB
Bank 1 - CHANNEL A DIMM 0 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 266Mt/s
Bank 2 - CHANNEL B DIMM 0 : Empty
Bank 3 - CHANNEL A DIMM 1 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 512MB/64 @ 266Mt/s
Bank 4 - CHANNEL B DIMM 1 : Empty

Chipset 1
Model : Dell Computer Corp 82865G/PE/P, 82848P DRAM Controller / Host-Hub Interface
Bus(es) : X-Bus AGP PCI IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz data rate)
Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 4x 200MHz / 2x 200MHz
Width : 64-bit
IO Queue Depth : 12 request(s)

Memory Module 1
Manufacturer : Micron
Model : 8VDDT3264AG-265B1
Serial Number : A204B6B5
Type : 256MB DDR-SDRAM
Technology : 8x(32Mx8)
Speed : PC2100U 2.5-3-3-6
Date of Manufacture : Tuesday, July 09, 2002
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.5-3-3-6
Set Timing @ 100MHz : 2.0-2-2-5

Memory Module 2
Manufacturer : Samsung
Model : M3 68L6423FTN-CB3
Serial Number : F30677FB
Type : 512MB DDR-SDRAM
Technology : 16x(32Mx8)
Speed : PC2700U 2.5-3-3-7
Version : 1.0
Date of Manufacture : Thursday, April 29, 2004
Set Timing @ 167MHz : 2.5-3-3-7
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.0-2-2-6

It looks like I have 2 available slots, so I'd like to use them--my 768mb ram just isn't cutting it

From what I here it's best to have between 1-2 gigs. How much would that cost, where should I get it, and what specs do I need?

Thx a bunch,
Cheesy

Post by **Thur** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 1:48 pm

I am currently running Mushkin DDR400 PC3200, which is vey common and has really come down in price. I would think SDRAM would have also. You should be able to get a gig for about $100 of very GOOD ram.

Look for Corsair or Mushkin on tigerdirect.com There are other brands that I have heard good things about but I have had these 2 brands.

BTW a cheap stick of ram burnt my mem controller had to replace mainboard. I had an Emachine, they like Dell have weird sized cases so you have to get your replacement from them. They charge triple what the same board in a standard size will cost. So BEWARE what you plug into your board. Or chop that dell of it's goodies and get a new case and MB.

Post by **Mat-Moo** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 2:03 pm

Best bet is to turn the system off, take out the dimm, see who makes it/model number then find a matching one to boost your memory. Most importatnt is to get the timings correct, I'm runninc Crucial XLLP at 2/3/2/6 and managed to find an exactly matching memory module on ebay boosting me to 1.5gb (3 matching ram now)

Post by **Cheesy** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 2:21 pm

It looks like the two I have right now don't match

Which one should I be going for?

And what exactly does need to match up? The speeds (and which number is that?

)? Do I want ECC and Parity? I don't know what those mean either

Post by **Cheesy** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 2:58 pm

It seems like the stuff I have right now is pretty much crap. Should I just toss it and get new stuff? I'm looking at this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145579

Yob · Post by **Yob** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:45 pm

Looks good. I always go Newegg and I always go Corsair.

DaGrooved1 · Post by **DaGrooved1** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:55 pm

edit: nvm then

Post by **ph1l0r** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:57 pm

Both his modules are DDR if you read on a little.

Go Cheesy Go!

Post by **Thur** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:31 pm

That is a good deal for Corsair, jump on it.

WoodenPlank · Post by **WoodenPlank** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:49 pm

Ive been using Corsair Value Select RAM now for about 9 months and have had great experience with it. Ive got their 1GB kit (2x512) in, and Im going to be adding a second 1GB kit with my tax return (2GB, 4x512 total). That is one killer deal on the 2GB set, though. If you want just 1GB total, you can get the 1GB kit for around $90 With my Athlon 64 3000+ and 1GB of RAM (BF2 is on a 7200RPM SATA drive), my actual level load times are under 60 seconds in most cases.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:39 pm

Corsair and Newegg is a good pair. At the least get the XMS Series.

RamRod · Post by **RamRod** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 11:00 pm

I got 2gigs of paired Corsair XMS Pro DDR 400 (PC 3200) memory sticks. 2 sticks at 1 gig each. The paired memory sticks are supposed to be timed and setup the same to operate at optimal performance. I got them from newegg.com...pretty good prices and fast delivery.

zeplin05 · Post by **zeplin05** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:50 am

dell's are RAM friendly

spesknight · Post by **spesknight** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:48 am

Check the website of your motherboard manufacturer.
My MoBo (abit kd7) has 2 slots for 400mhz ram and 2 for lower ones.
I just bought 512Mb@400Mhz for 40 Euro and I had 2x256@266Mhz.
I don't think the timing must match, the only problem is that sometimes, if you put modules with different timing, the faster ones must go at the lower timings. However, I don't think the difference worth the expense of changing all the RAM.

Post by **Ash2Dust** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:48 pm

According to Kingston.com

Dell Dimension 4600

Part Number Description Price

KTD4550/128 128MB Module Click Here
KTD4550/256 256MB Module Click Here
KTD4550/512 512MB Module Click Here
KTD4550/1G 1GB Module Click Here
KTD8300/128 128MB Module Click Here
KTD8300/256 256MB Module Click Here
KTD8300/512 512MB Module Click Here
KTD8300/1G 1GB Module Click Here

Comments
MODULES MUST BE ORDERED AND INSTALLED IN PAIRS for Dual Channel mode.

This system supports both DDR400 (KTD8300/xxx) and DDR333 (KTD4550/xxx).

This system is configurable and may ship with a different amount of standard memory.

System Memory Configuration
Standard Memory: 256MB (Removable)

Maximum Memory: 4GB

Expansion: 4 Sockets (2 banks of 2)

CPU & ChipSet: Intel Pentium 4 3.06 GHz Intel 865PE
Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz Intel 865PE

Bus Architecture: PCI; USB
Mfgr's System P/N's: N/A

Bank Schema
256MB Standard:

128
128

Config / Kingston Part Number / Qty (Upgrade Path)

Virtually any configuration up to 4GB can be reached using Kingston's 128, 256, 512MB, and 1GB modules IN PAIRS.
Memory Installation Guide

I personally like corsair.

Installing pairs allows interleaving of the memory in a bank (sorta like a HDD raid). Seems your motherboard allowed the mismatch which isnt bad as long as your system is stable. Running matched pairs usually allows for ~10% increase in test performances and keeps it stable.

Not matching timings (including the DDR rating) usually means the MB will default to the slowest timing for all the RAM sticks. Worst case scenario is windows crashing/corrupting.

One stick you currently have is DDR 333 (2x167) and the other is a DDR 266MHz (2x133MHz). Both are running at DDR266MHz in channel A by your report.

Get a pair of 1 gig DDR400 if you can afford it and just run them in Channel A. Leave channel B empty.