Curse

Stealthy Trapper · Mar 06, 2006, 03:36 AM // 03:36

I have a dell with an Intel 2.8 ghz cpu and a MSI NX6600GT agp graphics card (128mb). I know I don't need much better for GW because my machine runs great. I even paly alot of Half Life 2 and CSS with no problems but I have a few bucks to blow and I just want something more to make me feel better I guess. I am thinking of getting a couple sticks of memory (2x512) to replace my current memory (2x256). Anybody have any specific brands or opinions on this swap? Is my current intel pentium 4 cpu and graphics card good for this swap as well? Thanks for your advice in advance.

Tachyon · Mar 06, 2006, 03:49 AM // 03:49

What type of RAM do you have, is it RDRAM, SDRAM or DDR SDRAM? Also, which motherboard do you have, because you may be able to leave your original 2 x 256's in place and just drop in the new RAM.

As for brands, if you've got DDR then I'd suggest either Mushkin (the best), Corsair or OCZ as the main brands to look at. You may pay a little more but you do get the better quality for your money.

Narada · Mar 06, 2006, 03:56 AM // 03:56

Also you should check and see if your mobo supports dual channel or not, it makes a world of difference.

Stealthy Trapper · Mar 06, 2006, 04:32 AM // 04:32

Yes, sorry I do have DDR. I am not sure what motherboard I have other than a stock Dell board? My memory slots have 3 or 4 slots in that area I think. Could I possibly leave the 2- 256's and add one 512? Is that possible. Thanks guys this helps alot.

jimmy_logic · Mar 06, 2006, 04:45 AM // 04:45

When it comes to dual channel RAM check your system to see if its already running in dual channel mode. If it is better to stick with pairs then

BTW: I play GW on my P4 1.7GHz 512MB SDRAM ATi Radeon 9700. Runs great then lags when theres suddenly heaps on the screens, but you can learn to preempt what you need to do. Just like using the force heheheh

Stealthy Trapper · Mar 06, 2006, 05:42 PM // 17:42

Alright guys after doing some research I have purchased a pair of Corsair sticks(2x512) for my pc. They got great reviews from Newegg.com so I think I will be good to go after taking your guys advice. Thanks alot.

My questions is now that I have these new sticks on the way I have read about and checked out my mobo and I have 4 DIMMs slots for memory. I can install up to 4 gb of memory as long as DIMMs 1 and 2 match and DIMMs 3 and 4 match. So therefore can I use my original dell memory sticks(2x256) in DIMMs 3 and 4 + my new Corsair (2x512) sticks in DIMMs 1 and 2?

Will this cause conflict because of the two different companies? Will they conflict because one matched pair is 1 gb and the other is 512 gb?

Yeah I guess I should have checked before I ordered:-/. Anyway I will be fine if I can't use my old memory in conjuction with my new.

Tachyon · Mar 06, 2006, 06:16 PM // 18:16

That sounds like you may have dual-channel on that board if you have to keep certain sockets 'paired'. Just do what you said, original RAM in 3 & 4 new RAM in 1 & 2 and you should be fine.

The different makes shouldn't be a problem at all. I have 1GB of Corsair XMS and 1GB of Mushkin EP in mine and it literally flies along without a problem.

Old Dood · Mar 06, 2006, 06:35 PM // 18:35

Dell's are very fussy about their Ram chips. I would suggest going to www.crucial.com and run the system checker. Crucial garranties their ram with Dell computers. It is usually allot cheaper then Dell. Corsiar will not work.

Or you can try the Dell Community forums. They have the Dell guru's there that can help you as well.

Stealthy Trapper · Mar 06, 2006, 06:38 PM // 18:38

Much appreciated Azagoth. I had assumed all of this but it was nice to have some reassurance. Thx

Stealthy Trapper · Mar 06, 2006, 07:21 PM // 19:21

[QUOTE=Old Dood] Corsiar will not work.

Well I hope you're not right. I checked Crucial's site and the system checker could not give me an answer. guess I will just have to wait and see.

Old Dood · Mar 06, 2006, 08:45 PM // 20:45

Well if you have RDRAM then that could be why. I have never had a problem with crucials ram or their site.

swaaye · Mar 06, 2006, 09:19 PM // 21:19

A gig will be more than enough for GW. The game uses around 300-400MB RAM at most. Other titles should be well served by a gig too.

Newer games are best with 2GB though. EQ2 for example easily eats up 1.5GB. Depends on what games you play. And how much you are willing to spend, of course.

512MB is not enough anymore though.

If you're running DRDRAM you're going to pay a TON of money for RAM. Go download Everest Home Edition. It will tell you everything about your hardware.

Old Dood · Mar 06, 2006, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Everest will work. I use www.pcpitstop.com It will scan your computer as well...so you tweaks you might need...etc.

Alias_X · Mar 06, 2006, 10:35 PM // 22:35

I have 2 gigs of OCZ, 2x 1gb sticks, and everything runs awesome! I am not sure if it will work with a Dell, but you could try it.

Old Dood · Mar 06, 2006, 10:38 PM // 22:38

I am tellin ya...Dell's are fussy about their ram. They made sure you had to buy it from Dell or look harder to get ram that works. It might "work" for awhile...then you will end up with errors....

Alias_X · Mar 06, 2006, 11:37 PM // 23:37

Agreed. Go with a company that will guarentee compatability! The guarentee alone is worth the price of the ram.

Stealthy Trapper · Mar 07, 2006, 10:57 PM // 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dood

Dell's are very fussy about their Ram chips. I would suggest going to www.crucial.com and run the system checker. Crucial garranties their ram with Dell computers. It is usually allot cheaper then Dell. Corsiar will not work.

Or you can try the Dell Community forums. They have the Dell guru's there that can help you as well.

Thanks Old Dood. I got a refund from Newegg and ordered a guarenteed compatable for Dell memory set from Crucial. You suck Dell

Corsair does make some memory for Dell but not the bargain set I purchased. I had to spend 50$ more at crucial but I feel better about my purchase. Thx

Alias_X · Mar 07, 2006, 11:20 PM // 23:20

You will be happy in the long run.

Old Dood · Mar 08, 2006, 12:30 AM // 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealthy Trapper

Thanks Old Dood. I got a refund from Newegg and ordered a guarenteed compatable for Dell memory set from Crucial. You suck Dell

Corsair does make some memory for Dell but not the bargain set I purchased. I had to spend 50$ more at crucial but I feel better about my purchase. Thx

Good. I am glad you are getting what you need. It is either Samsung or Micron brand I believe. Mine from Crucial has always held up. I have ram from them for going on 5 years with a couple of computers of mine.

Serafita Kayin · Mar 09, 2006, 11:17 PM // 23:17

If you sit with it a bit and rip out the Dell programs, anything will work.

For future reference, Dells are picky cause they use the worst of the worst components slapped on any which way and only some RAM companies build them to take the massive voltage fluctuation abouse they get.

We finally quit accepting Dells for repair-just plain cost too much time and effort for us.

If it works, there's no issue, but if it stops working, get yourself a real mainstream configuration PC and you can tell the difference. Don't trash it on my account. Like I said,if it works, (ab)use it.