Help with memory sticks - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gilly · #1 11-07-2010, 04:31 PM

I did post on this quite awhile ago.
I need help remembering about the memory sticks, I did buy a stick today, but now after having a problem, it seems like I need DDR2, they sold me DDR.

Anyways, I have 4 slots and can have up to 4MB, the machine presently has 2X258kb, 512kb total, I guess the mfr likes having pairs of sticks or something? So maybe the one 1MB stick I bought isn't really correct? Much less the type is wrong (won't even fit).
So without spending a whacked out sum on this 5 yr old computer, what should I actually get? And I am now seeing that the 80 bucks I spent at BB on 1MB is probably off the wall nuts and guess I should shop the net for this?

Gilly

#2 11-07-2010, 04:40 PM

Start with a site like this to find out what your specific computer requires:

http://www.crucial.com/?gclid=CKXUo7TVj6UCFYM55wodcDtqNg&cpe=pd_google_us&ef_id=n49M1xx-AAAARLw:20101107213911:s

Ara T. · #3 11-07-2010, 04:52 PM

Matched pairs is usually the optimal situation especially with DDR. 80 bucks for 1GB (not megabyte im assuming) of DDR2 is a total ripoff.. get your memory online at places like newegg or directron and avoid the big chains like the plague.

Did they really sell you DDR1? If you need DDR2 and you have DDR1 it wouldn't even fit into the memory slot, the pins are different.

I am assuming you are running Windows XP x86. If so I'd shoot for 2GB, 2 1 gig sticks. Should be able to find that for 40 bucks or so. If your machine is been slowing to a crawl lately, I'd reinstall Windows as well. You will lose all data that you don't back up, but that's the breaks. It's just regular maintenance.

Gilly · #4 11-07-2010, 04:59 PM

Thanks to both. Yes they seemed to have sold me DDR1 (package just says DDR), and yes the pin in the center is not in the correct position. In the "most correct" position, the slot is still about 1/8" off, I took out one of the existing sticks to compare. You'd think these young whipper snappers would be better than that! BUT then again this kid probably wasn't even in high school when this computer was made! Still disappointed that he went in to the backroom to research what was needed and came back with the wrong thing.

The website helped a lot and I see I really overpaid for 1 GB. I can get a whole 4GB for a little less than that!

If I get the 4MB kit should I remove the stock 512MB? Would it hurt anything to either get rid of it or to leave it in place? I'd have to do one or the other I guess.........

Ara T. · #5 11-07-2010, 05:04 PM

You would remove the 512, yes. But the thing is 4gb is wasted money unless you have a 64 bit operating system, as 32 bit systems usually don't "see" any more than 3GB. I've had trouble with more than 2GB before. Plus if you don't have a fast processor it's questionable whether 4GB of RAM will be a huge speed increase over 2GB.

Gilly · #6 11-07-2010, 05:39 PM

OK, can you tell me how to find these things out and I will report back.
Gilly

Gilly · #7 11-07-2010, 05:41 PM

Pentium 4 3.00GHz?

Gilly · #8 11-07-2010, 05:46 PM

Actually found a link to find out X86, equals 32 bit.
Gilly

Gilly · #9 11-07-2010, 05:47 PM

So I can add 2GB pretty cheaply, I do have 512MB already, so maybe just be happy by adding 2GB it sounds like?

Ara T. · #10 11-07-2010, 05:58 PM

Yeah, I'd say so. In most cases 3gb of RAM will work though. Are your memory banks in your motherboard color coded? 4 slots or something, blue and black? 2-3 GB will be plenty on a WinXP machine especially if you are a casual user (no high end gaming etc)

Gilly · #11 11-07-2010, 07:35 PM

It's 4 slots, I can't remember if they were color coded, they may have been black and white on the clips that hold the boards in place.
Gilly

kknudson · #12 11-07-2010, 07:49 PM

Any idea on the Motherboard model etc.

Agree 2x1 and 2x512 total 3gig should be fine.

I like TigerDirect for this kind of stuff, NewEgg, Fry's .. are great too.

If this was recent and doesn't fit depending on what you told BB you needed or how much they decided what you needed take it back and complain.
Heck if nothing else they have price match gaurantees.

Gilly · #13 11-08-2010, 04:55 AM

No idea on the moterboard, I can definitely look at it, the side panel comes off super easy, but give me an idea of where it will say it. Or if I can look at this electronically (the date in the computer somewhere).

I told the kid Dell Dimension E510. My wife thought he mumbled something as he walked away about E520, I don't hear as well as I used to, so I didn't hear it. I know I said 510, no idea if there even is a E520, or if it would matter, the E510 is from about 2005, which should be AFTER the DDR2 should have replaced DDR1, from what I read.
I will plan on getting a refund and buying online, seems like way better pricing.
Unless they say tey can get me 2 DDR2 memory sticks adding up to 2GB for around $40.
Gilly

kknudson · #14 11-08-2010, 05:24 AM

OK Dell E510 tells more than enough, I should have asked for PC name / model.

DDR2 PC6400
Here's the Crucial site, good memory not necessarily recommending you buy their memory direct or .. but they provide the info

http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/compatible-memory-for/Dell/Dimension+E510/list.html

Here's the Tiger link, I like Tiger but again not necessarily recommending them.
For me they are close so delivery is next day, and COMPUSA stores if I need NOW.
Never had a complaint with them.
Oh and BB price matches with them for me, since Tiger is local for me.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/guidedSearch.asp?CatId=10&sel=Detail;30_170_12847_12847,Detail;30_169_41541_41541

Crucial says 4gb max, 2gb per slot max (not to exceed the 4gb overall max) and pairs recomended but not required, I recommend pairs.

Good Luck

pawoSD · #15 11-08-2010, 07:12 AM

WindowsXP will make no effective use of more than 2GB of Ram. Upgrade to windows 7 and you can use all you want (as long as you are running 64-bit)