What ram do I need?

anksta

anksta

anksta

Soldato
Joined
19 Jan 2005
Posts
2,722
I'd like some more ram but I have no idea what I need.

Just opened my case and checked one of the 2 sticks I have, they're the same so I have 2 samsung 1Gb 2Rx8 PC2 5300U-55-12-E3 but I'd like at least another 2Gb.

How does this work? Can I get any PC2 memory? If I get 2 more 2Gb sticks can I have 6 Gb? I'm not sure how I go about mixing different quantities, I have 4 slots so with 2 more 2's will that work?

Cheers
 
it's a Dell Inspiron 531 system and I haven't upgraded the motherboard, can they come with more than one? I'll have a look now but if thats easier.
 
A link from the dell site says this:

some dell site said:
Memory

Type 667-MHz, 800-MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Memory connectors four

Memory capacities 512 MB or 1 GB

Maximum memory 4 GB
Click to expand...

Does that sound right?
 
From that list your motherboard can only handle up to a maximum of 4GB's of memory, since you have 2x1GB sticks at the moment then I would recommend getting the same again. Also if I am reading your post right then the motherboard will not take 2GB sticks so you are stuck with using 1GB ones.

Without knowing the exact motherboard make and model it is hard to say for certain.

Stoner81.
 
well where I got that link from said it was an ASUS M2N61-AX specifically built for Dell.

I've been having a look round, I've found the Crucial 1GB DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400, will this work?

I'm right in thinking that if I get anything different other than the exact same I've already got I'll have to replace it all? That link says I can use 800-Mhz so if I bought four of those Crucial ones and then just binned the other 2, will that work?
 
As long as the new RAM is the same size and speed as your current RAM it should not matter on what the make is.

Stoner81.
 
but that crucial ram isn't the same speed though is it? I don't mind buying 4 1Gb sticks of something and chucking the others, surely 4Gb of the 6400 is better than the 5300?

I'm well confused.
 
Ah sorry I missed that, yes 4GB of 6400 is better than 5300 since it runs faster. However, if you put faster RAM in then it will simply slow down to the same speed as your other RAM which as you can probably imagine is pointless. You can probably just pick up the same RAM as you have already for next to nothing nowadays anyway ;)

Stoner81.
 
Download CPU-z and check if your current RAM is 667 MHz or 800 MHz, it will tell you under the 'SPD' tab. If you can't find it, post a screenshot of the 'SPD' tab (unless you already know, of course)

Edit: Just seen it in the OP-sorry (didn't read properly :rolleyes:)
 
Last edited:
so is it not worth buying 4gb of the faster ram and then just chucking the old ones?

It is cheaper than I thought it would be so I don't mind buying 4x1Gb of a new sort. I'm planning on starting to use some editing stuff so I could do with it being the best it can be.

The 6400 will definitely work though? Not gonna be the wrong sort/size? can't link to another site as OCUK only sells 2Gb sticks by the look of it but if its DDR2 PC2 it's definitely gonna fit?

Cheers mate by the way, appreciate the help.
 
No worries happy to help out :)

Well it depends on the cost involved in both cases which you need to weigh up, as sk82jack said do a Google search for CPU-Z (it's freeware) and run it and see what your current RAM is if it is 6400 (aka 800MHz) then you could just go and buy 4x1GB sticks ;)

Stoner81.
 
4GB of DDR2 RAM is gonna set you back about £60-70. If you think the cost is justified then go ahead, but it maybe worth thinking about saving up a bit more and buying a cheapy new system that supports DDR3, as it's half the price.
 
sk82jack said:
4GB of DDR2 RAM is gonna set you back about £60-70. If you think the cost is justified then go ahead, but it maybe worth thinking about saving up a bit more and buying a cheapy new system that supports DDR3, as it's half the price.
Click to expand...

Yeah I wouldn't mind but I have a stack of DDR2 RAM sat here at home that I can't use since I am on DDR3 once I get a few more posts then I can access the members market so I could sell some to you (OP) on the cheap(ish) once we get to that point or something, just another option for you (eventually) ;)

Can you take another screen shot of the SPD tab please?

Stoner81.
 
^^ Plus it will that I can get free shipping too in 2 posts time w00t! OK how bad is that getting excited by free shipping *face palm*

Stoner81.
 
jeez, was 100 when I first joined. Back in my day.

I only joined in the first place to buy something from there.

Anyway, so what should I do? Buying 2x1Gb of 5300 will definitely work and cost me ~£30 or I can buy 4X1Gb of 6400 which will cost me twice as much.

Will this difference be noticeable? Is it worth the extra 20-30 quid and will it definitely work?

Gonna order tonight.
 
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