Ok, I just got a new PC(No internet yet), but I want more ram because I'm a gamer. Here are some of the specs:

Dimension 5150
Pentium 4 Processor 2.80 GHz
512 MB of Ram
69.7 GB HDD

I hear that if you missmatch sticks of ram you can get into a lot of trouble. I also read that 512 MB of ram is better when it's in 2 sticks of ram instead of one stick of 512MB. I want to add another 512 MB so I can have 1GB of ram total. How would I go about doing this?

I need to know if my 512MB is in 2 sticks of 256 of one stick of 512MB and I also need to know if I'll need just one stick of 512MB of ram or something different?


I'd think that all I'd need to do is buy a stick of 512MB of ram and just adding it into an empty slot, but something's telling me it's not that easy, lol.

Anyone have any idea?

On this page: Link
It appears that it would probably be 2 sticks of 256.

To be honest, I dont think different brands of RAM matter. I have two 512 RAM sticks made by two different companies, and its fine *touch wood*. I also didn't understand you very well, did you say you have a 512 stick and a 256 RAM, or two 256RAM sticks? most computers only have two ports available for RAM sticks.

and sticking it into an empty slot is all it takes. if it starts to beep and you moniter suddenly isn't 'connected to the comp', then simply switch the two RAM around and make sure they're pushed in right. (make sure you hear the click). It what happened to mine, but it was sorted in almost no time, would have took less time but I got scared when the moniter wasn't working and my computer started beeping... I have bad luck so for all I knew I just created a timebomb. luckily I didnt, but I felt hella stupid when my friend sorted it out with no problem at all the next day >.<

ok.

1) mismatching RAM speeds is fine, but its not the best if your overclocking. if you arent overclocking your fine.

2) download "PC Wizard 2006" and look in the "system summary" box when you first start it up. it will say "512MB(_x____)" in the blanks, the first blank is how many physical sticks of ram you have, the second is what size

3) in GENERAL, its better to have 2 sticks of RAM, because it eases the CPUs mem controllers job, and helps with OCing (if you want to OC(overclock))

4) if you have two slots for RAM on your motherboard, then just put a new stick in the empty slot, but if you have four, they should be color coded, and in pairs. just stick the new one in the slot closest to the old stick.

Saftey:
-always make sure the ram is in all the way. if it isnt, you will literally melt your ram.
-its best to use an antistatic wrist band, but its ok if you dont have one.
-IMPORTANT: before you insert the ram UNPLUG the system, AND hold down the power button (while unplugged) to drain the circuits.

Another thing is that if you have two sticks of different speeds they both will only operate at the maximum efficiency of the lowest one .

I think I have 2 sticks of 256MB. So I just buy a stick of 512MB and put it in an empty slot next to one of the other sticks?

Yup, that's all there is too it... just make sure it's in tight as the above posts state. If you need to take a stick out then just push on the little latch things on the bottom and top and it will come out rather easily... they'll snap back into position once you have the ram in good enough, just make sure to apply even pressure to it so you dont keep pushing one end in and the other out...not that I've ever done that

My plan is to have 1gig of ram. Let's say I have only 2 slots wich are filled with 2 256MB sticks, I would need to buy 2 512MB sticks and replace both 256MB sticks correct?

If there's only two slots, then yeah. But with my last computer (a compaq), that baby had 8 slots for RAM

8 slots?!

it must have been a CT motherboard...

unless it was a server board.....who made it? tyan?

Compaq- So it was prebuilt? I'd be amazed if the motherboard could support all of them.

Yeah...wouldn't be that much point in having so much ram...and the power consumption ....

Just remember when adding ram is u add one that runs slower than yer current ram, both ram chips will be running at the slower speed.. but yeah now a days 1 gig is what you should have. hehe I have a 380 dollar laptop that i got from dell and it has 1 gb of ram but then again this laptop's FSB is running slowe than the ram's speed. so yeah that sucks ;-)
Cheerz

-skep

Well it was made in 95'. Yeah I was one of those people who got a Computer when windows 95 was new. But let me tell you, it was a huge motherboard!!! The freakin thing got so hot, over time it melted the battery that your computer uses for the clock when its power is shut off into itself.

When i first brought my computer to staples a few years ago to get it fixed, the guy there was shocked by so many hook ups in the back and so many slots on the motherboard for all kinds of gadgets and gizmos it had. Better of had them for 3,000 bucks . Now I got a Dell though, and once I get a job im going to build my own PC with dual operating Systems Windows and Linux.

Yeah back in the day they needed more slots, now a days u can buy a 1 memory stick thats a gig. lol I remember when i had my own first Computer, it was an Apple LC II ( pizza Box form factor.. ) anyways, yeah i upgraded from 4 mb to 6 mb of ram, cost me about 180 bux for 2 darn megs lol but hey, it had 4 slots for memory.. back in the day when they used sims instead of dims membah?? lol the good ol' days... well not that good I like having a gig of ram and more than 256 colors. hehe I remember i bought a CD-Rom Drive for about 600 bux ROLF!! yeah it was a 2X top of the line!! ;-)

Haha, yeah, back then they needed a lot of slots because the highest you could probably even get your ram was 128.

windows XP only supports 6 GB i think, so 8 slots is useless even today, lol

unless your running linux or WS2003

Would I be better off with adding 1 stick of 512MB or 2 sticks of 256MB?

What would two sticks of 256 accomplish? Just add another stick of 512 =/

One stick of 512mb. It should be a tiny bit cheaper, and you won't run the risk of your motherboard being unable to support two sticks.

In a few years we're going to look back at the computers we have today and laugh a how pathetic even the high-end systems are.

Dell is pretty good about giving the specs of each machine on their support website. Just go to dell.com and follow the links to get help and support. They will ask for your service tag # and you should be able to find your original system configuration as well as how much ram and what type of ram your motherboard will support. They also have a chat support if you want to be 100% sure.

I'd agree with Raptor, just get one stick of 512mb. Or maybe lose a few more bucks and drop in a gig so you don't have to think about it next year


I hope you're right. Two of my desktops are 3+ years old and only have ram upgrades. They are selling similar systems today

This link gives me hope!