topic Dell Memory Upgrade in Standard DRAM Memory

Dell Memory Upgrade

srogers — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:55:40 GMT

Several years ago I was advised by Dell for a maximum upgrade of 1024 MB to my system to purchase (2) 512 MB DDR SDRAM, PC2100/266 MHz, Non-Parity, Unbuffered. Cannot find this listed. Please advise what is compatible for my system running Windows XP Home Edition.

Thanks

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

P10RS — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:33:29 GMT

HELLO, WHAT MODEL AND TYPE OF DELL DO YOU HAVE? DESKTOP, LAPTOP, HOW ABOUT POSTING THE SERVICE TAG NUMBER OFF THE COMPUTER. THAT WOULD GET YOU SOME REALLY ACCURATE INFORMATION

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

srogers — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:32:08 GMT

It is a Desktop, Dimension 4550 Series, Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 2.0 GHZ, Service Tag No. 5KKN021. At present time I have (2) 256MB DDR SDRAM at 266MHz in the memory slots. Thanks for any help.

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

P10RS — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:57:39 GMT

HELLO, I just checked the dell web site and your computer has two memory slots and will hold a maximum of 1 gig of ram.

pc2100 isn't made anymore however pc2700 is compatible with your computer and that is what dell sells on their web site. crucial sells 512 sticks of pc2700. If you want to go to 1 gig you will have to buy two 512 sticks as each of your memory slots only recoginizes a maxium of 512. If you buy one 512stick you will be able to reuse one of the 256 sticks and have a total of 756 which will give you pretty good performance and a significant gain over 512. UPDATE!!!!!!! Dells memory is actually pc3200 and is more expensive so stick with the crucial. No point in asking for trouble by going to pc3200 when you can get pc2700 as the memory is going to run at pc2100 speed anyhow.

NOTE NOTE::: SEE REST OF POSTS BELOW BEFORE YOU PURCHASE MEMORY FOR THIS COMPUTER!!!!!!

Part #: CT6464Z335 • DDR PC2700 • CL=2.5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR333 • 2.5V • 64Meg x 64 • more details

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

srogers — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:33:50 GMT

Thanks for your help but just one more thing. Since it would only be a few more bucks to buy the 1 gig of ram, do you think it would help any to buy it instead of the 512 and throw away the memory I have now. If so, please give me the information I need to order.

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

P10RS — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:53:10 GMT

OK in reviewing my prior post I don't think I made it clear that the max memory is 1 gig, but the Max memory in one slot is 512.

NEWS FLASH:::::: THIS IS GIVING ME A HEAD ACHE. ok there are two similar models of your computer, one has a FSB OF 400 AND THE OTHER 533. DELLS WEB SITE SAYS THE MAX MEMORY FOR THE 400 FSB COMPUTER IS 1 GIG BUT RECOMMENDS EITHER 512 OR 1 GIG STICKS FOR UPGRADE. CRUCIALS MEMORY ADVISOR TOOL SATES THAT THE 400 FSB COMPUTER CAN TAKE A MAX OF 2 GIG OF MEMORY, I GIG MAX IN EACH SLOT. SO BEATS THE H*LL OUT OF ME. SINCE CRUCIAL GUARANTEES THAT IF YOU USE THEIR MEMORY ADVISOR TOOL THE MEMORY AND AMOUNT WILL WORK I WOULD GO WITH WHAT THEY SAY. THEY DO TEST SOME COMPUTERS AND FIND THAT CERTAIN COMPUTERS CAN EXCEED WHAT THE MANUFACTURS STATE THE COMPUTER CAN DO. SO HERE IS A LINK FOR YOUR COMPUTER. GOSH I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT EVEN THOUGHT IT HAS BEEN QUITE A MESS.

Guaranteed-compatible memory upgrades for your Dell Dimension 4550 (400MHz FSB) Desktop/PC.

Max it Out Recommendation

1GB 184-pin DIMM

Module Size: 1GB
Package: 184-pin DIMM
Feature: DDR PC2700

(64 Ratings)

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

brianzion — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:20:08 GMT

hi go to dell website and download the <dell support centre software> it tells you all about your system

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

srogers — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:58:03 GMT

Now you're just as confused as I am. The information you just stated is exactly what I have found and I don't know which way to go. As far as going to "Dell Support Center Software", I already have it and it's just as confusing as your message has been. (Ha)

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

lordgllynn — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:35:41 GMT

Have you looked at your BIOS yet to verify which FSB you have?! Second, if you can't make heads or tails of your BIOS, will you open up your case and get the motherboard manufacturer and model number?! It should be located between your white PCI slots in the middle of your board. Include everything it has inscripted on it. My guess is that you have the 400 MHz FSB. If a 533 MHz DDR board was put into a Dell system, it would have been put into an XPS system, as 533 MHz would have been a high end alternative in DDR systems. And you would most likely have noticed the difference when you went to pay for it when compared to the 400 MHz system. :smileywink:

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

P10RS — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:56:30 GMT

HELLO, DID WE HELP YOU SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM? IF NOT LET US KNOW AND WE WILL KEEP TRYING

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

srogers — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:42:56 GMT

I'm still not sure which way to go since Crucial tells me that my computer will take 2 gig of ram. I do believe this is incorrect since all the information I have says only 1 gig. If I understand correctly, I will need to order (2) 512 MB of ram to obtain the 1 gig, although Dell's website says I can use a 1 gig memory card. Nothing is telling me exactly what to do.

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

brianzion — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:00:59 GMT

if you can use two modules this is best for dell desktops crucial state this in there guidelines i folowed this advice on my dell optiplex gx520 and upgraded to 2 x 1gb ram modules = 2gb ram and everyting is ok the pc has speeded up i have more memory for the paging file and my pc does not freeze any more i can run multiple programes with ease.

***Edited to remove link to a competitor. --Crucial_Kicker

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

P10RS — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:43:58 GMT

HELLO AGAIN, CONFUSED-JUST KIDDING, I'VE RE-READ THIS ENTIRE THREAD TWICE NOW AND I STILL NOT SURE IF WE HAVE HELPED YOU OR NOT. if you are still around and have not purchased the memory yet and would like a final answer hop back on and let me know.

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

srogers — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:05:06 GMT

I believe I know what I need but just in case I'm not correct, please tell me what you would do if it were your computer. Thanks

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

P10RS — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:05:30 GMT

OK THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO. Everyone agrees you have 2 memory slots in your computer, but the information is conflicted as to whether the max memory supported ia 1 gig or 2 gig. Since crucial guarantees that if you use their memory advisor tool you will get they correct product and amount I would purchase a 1 gig stick of the crucial recommended memory. A couple of post ago I had a link to the recommended memory module. You can then use one of your old sticks along with the new stick and have something over 1 gig which should give you much better performance at a reasonable cost. ddr memory is obsolete so I don't believe there is any point in purchasing two gig of it as you have obviously be getting by with what you have now. Is this what you were going to do?

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

srogers — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:50:28 GMT

When I purchased memory about 5 years ago, a Dell representative told me my computer's maximum memory was 1024MB. What I was going to do was order (2) 512MB which would give me my maximum. They also told me it took PC2100/266MHz, Non-Parity, Unbuffered and since this is now obsolete, I suppose I'll have to get PC2700/333. I really appreciate all your help and sorry my problem has been so confusing.

Re: Dell Memory Upgrade

P10RS — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:57:52 GMT

HI THANKS FOR CHECKING IN AGAIN. I THINK YOUR PLAN IS REASONABLE AND IS THE ONE WHICH HAS LESS POTENTIAL FOR aggravation. It has been interesting trying to figure it all out and I'm sure you will enjoy the upgraded computer.