RAM - what to get for my dell desktop

[hubieb]

I have a Dell 9100 Dimension. It has 4 RAM slots. It came with 2 512's (this is not cutting it for me).

I want the most RAM I can fit in this thing. The last time I bought 2 sticks of RAM, they ended up corrupting my machine. Programs continually shut down due to error, and eventually my computer stopped working (until I removed those sticks from some backup RAM i had lying around).

Simply put, I run a lot of programs at all times. what RAM should I get. (i'm guessing newegg is the best place to buy).

 

[gbaughma]

Actually, Dell would be the best place to buy.

Go to Dell's site, put in your service tag number for your computer, then follow the upgrade link. You can't go wrong that way.



Just my 2¢
"Life gets mighty precious when there's less of it to waste." -Bonnie Raitt "Nick of Time"
--Greg

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[hubieb]

Dell wants $176 for a 1gb stick. Damn, I want 4. Not going to happen. Is there any way to find out exactly what RAM their using?

Also, would I want to mix and match RAM sticks? (1 dell, 3 of another brand?)

 

[paparazi]

I think Crucial's your best bet, garanteed compatibility.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listmfgr.asp?cat=RAM

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[JSD7878]

It's been my experience that mixing and matching ram modules is asking for trouble, my advice is to have 4 stick the same or better yet 2 stick the same but of the same larger equivalent capacity. keep it simple.

 

[wahnula]

And, you must realize that for Windows to use all of that 4GB of RAM you will have to tweak boot.ini with the PAE /3GB switch (physical Address Extension).

better yet 2 stick the same but of the same larger equivalent capacity. keep it simple.

Excellent suggestion. I would get (2) matching 1 GB sticks of the highest speed supported and ditch the old RAM. I believe 2 GB is the sweet spot for system RAM today. Doubtful you would see or feel the benefit of 4GB unless you are running a graphics or CAD workstation.

Tony