im new to upgrading my ram

[Adidas]

Help, what do i need to look for before buying more ram, i know ive got 2x 512mb ddr2 in my pc and 2 empty slots. i wanna buy 2 more gig
thanks

[Taxation]

read your motherboard manual and make sure that you get the correct RAM that will be compatable when installed in all 4 slots.
If the RAM isnt compatable then it will lock up and only a reboot will sort that out, and the lock ups are random, some take 1 minute some take hours.
What i would do is buy a 2X1gb kit and install that in place of the 2*512's
You will see a large improvement when going from 1gb to 2gb.
Always go to the motherboard manual

[Adidas]

im not sure i have my motherboard manual anymore, is that the only way to find out. is there any software with xp or 3rd party that could tell me?

[Taxation]

You can go onto the manufacturers website and find out.

[Adidas]

lol ill say one word "DELL"

[Adidas]

THIS IS WHAT IS STATES ON THE ONLINE MANUAL FOR MY PC. DUNNO IF U CAN SEE ANYTHING I NEED FROM THIS. CHEERS

Memory

Type
400- and 533-MHz DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM

Memory connectors
four

Memory capacities
256 MB, 512 MB, or 1 GB non-ECC

Maximum memory
4 GB

NOTE: See "Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations" to verify the amount of memory available to the operating system.

BIOS address
F0000h


The recommended memory configurations are:

A pair of matched memory modules installed in DIMM connectors 1 and 2


or

A pair of matched memory modules installed in DIMM connectors 1 and 2 and another matched pair installed in DIMM connectors 3 and 4

NOTICE: Do not install ECC memory modules

CAN SOMEONE GIMME AN EXAMPLE ON THE NOVATECH WEBSITE WHAT WOULD WORK IN THIS RECOMMENDED CONFIG PLEASE.

[Taxation]

ooooh dell, they strike again.
dell computers are very fussy about what components get instelled.This is so dell can make more money by charging you extra for dell specialised componets.

[Adidas]

yeah thats why i said dell cos i had seen another top about dell. in the manual it doesnt state that it has to be dell components

[Nox]

do not get el-cheapo memory, it probably won't work. go for a sensible brand, corsair will do - they have an online memory checker to tell you which sticks will work, go use it! Then see whether novatech stock it or not.

Nox

[asteroid]

Nox is right, N's unbranded ram is a bit poo, as it wont work in conjunction with other unbranded ram. Stick to crucial and kingston and you will be fine. I think there is quite a difference in price difference so check prices of other retailers as well.

I say this as it took 3 swaps of ram to get my machine running (2.8 celeron cpu, 478 motherboard, 256mb of ram, followed by some more 256MB DDR ram a little bit later)

[beardyman]

Nox is right, N's unbranded ram is a bit poo, as it wont work in conjunction with other unbranded ram. Stick to crucial and kingston and you will be fine. I think there is quite a difference in price difference so check prices of other retailers as well.

I say this as it took 3 swaps of ram to get my machine running (2.8 celeron cpu ('http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/products/a561x1y0z1p0s0n0m0'), 478 motherboard, 256mb of ram, followed by some more 256MB DDR ram a little bit later)


where is it you work dude?........ lol well i guess any advertising is good advertising......

[Adidas]

i think my ddr2 ram inside my pc runs at 400mhz but is it safe to add some ram that runs ie 533mhz?