Another RAM Question

[rdram]

Want to get my son some more memory for his computer. Its a Dell 4600, currently has 2X256mg of DDR PC3200 SDRAM. He has all the documentation with him at college, so I can't look. From Dells website I know it has four banks, and info says "memory modules must be installed in matched pairs". But the online info is not clear... Can I install any matched pair of memory modules? Or do I have to install another 2X256, to match whats already in the PC. I think as long as what I install is a matched set, it could be anything (2X512, 2X1 gig) but want to be sure before I order? Also, he does a fair amount of gaming in his spare time. I was going to get another 2X256, but for another $50, I could order 2X512. Is a gig of system ram enough? Or is "ram" like "watts"...never too much.

Rich

[Kevin P]

RAM in modern motherboards works in banks of 2 DIMMs each, so each pair has to be matched per bank, but the two banks can be different. So, you could put 2x512 and 2x256 in and it would work. What you can't do is match a 512 and a 256 as a pair, for example.

So, buy a matched pair and put it in. 1 GB is adequate for 90% of what PCs are typically used for, but gaming is one of those things where more is always better, so it may be worthwhile to get him the 2x512, which will bump him up to 1.5 GB total.

[rdram]

Thanks Kevin. 2X512 it is. I guess I should have asked before...brand doesn't make much difference, does it? Searching around on the web, I found good pricing at Crucial, so I was going to order it there. Any other recommendations?

Rich

[aud19]

Thanks Kevin. 2X512 it is. I guess I should have asked before...brand doesn't make much difference, does it? Searching around on the web, I found good pricing at Crucial, so I was going to order it there. Any other recommendations?

Rich

Careful there. I know in the past Dell's could be VERY finicky on what RAM they'll accept even up to the point of having to get proprietary Dell memory. Try doing some googling on your computer and see if you can find what RAM it will accept.

[rdram]

Hmmm....Dell couldn't be that anal, could they? If the specs match (PC3200 DDR, 400mhz, non-ecc, 184 pin, unbuffered, blah, blah) any manufacturers ram should work...correct?

rich

[aud19]

I know it didn't for our Dell server at work....

[Azeke]

I also bought some Kingston memory for a Dell that I got from work, PC3200 I believe, and sometimes had issues with the ram, probably not worth the hassle to save a few extra bucks. The safest thing to do it pay the extra and use Dell's memory, less issues in the end, as previously stated 2x512's should do it.

Best regards,

Azeke