Adding Ram to Dell PCs

nands · 24 Mar 2009 at 14:51

Hi All,

At work we have 8 Dell Optiplex 330's each with only 1GB of ram running vista. It is sluggish.

In order to upgrade them I assume I can just take out the 2 x 512Mb 667MHz DDR2 and stick one of these in each?

OCUK 2GB 667MHz

Or should I get the above and leave in one of the 512's in order to give each machine 2.5GB? Obviously the cheap Dell motherboards only have two memory slots.

Appreciate any info.

nands · 24 Mar 2009 at 15:23

Thinking about it, do I need 2 sticks as it is DDR2? Can I change to 800MHz?

Like this?

Indy500 · 24 Mar 2009 at 15:27

Got the service tag handy? I could give you a better answer that way.

nands · 24 Mar 2009 at 15:49

What do you mean by service tag?

marcus_667 · 24 Mar 2009 at 15:59

all dells have a sticker on usually black found on the side of the back of the case with a number it can tell you the specs of the machines and what not and what ram theyll take

nands · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:10

My one is - 3mp983j an Optiplex 330

bremen1874 · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:16

Those machines will take a maximum 4GB of memory (2 x 2GB).

There will be no problem with fitting faster memory but you're unlikely to see any benefit.

You don't need to fit memory in matched pairs but you'll get a small performance boost if you do.

Unless you're going for the full 4GB I'd suggest that you fit a 2GB stick in each machine along with one of the 512MB sticks.

nands · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:24

Thanks for that, do you think the ram in my original post is good enough?

bremen1874 · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:28

Your links are to 2GB kits (2 x 1GB) which will take both slots.

You'd be better off with single 2GB sticks as they'd allow you to upgrade to 4GB later and also allow you to keep using some of the existing memory.

These should be okay. Buy four sets and then split them between the eight machines.

nands · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:48

My first link was to a 1 x 2Gb stick but I never thought of getting a 2 x 2Gb kit of better ram for a few quid more. Anyone know if there will be any compatability issues with Dell, I have read a few odd things?

bremen1874 · 24 Mar 2009 at 17:01

You're quite correct your first link was for a 1 x 2GB stick.

I've never personally had problems with memory compatibility and Dell machines. I'd contact OcUK and check on their returns policy.

If you want a 100% guarantee then you'll need to find one of the suppliers that lets you pick your exact machine and then lists the compatible memory. There is a well know supplier I normally use but I don't think I can name them on this forum.

nands · 24 Mar 2009 at 19:59

Thanks Bremen, I appreciate your help.

kerrgreg · 24 Mar 2009 at 20:04

if you go to the crucial website you can run a test on the machine (from the site) and it will tell u all options and set-ups you could have