CRUCIAL REND ram compatible with Dell Dimension E520?

[Shaitan00]

I have a DELL DIMENSION E520 that currently has 2x512 megs of RAM (1gig of ProMos PC2-4200 DDR 533mhz) and I want to upgrade (add 2 gigs for Vista) - after a lot of comments and reviews I found that the best price/quality for my Dell (keeping in mind my current ram and wanted to spend as little $ as possible) would be CRUSIAL.

When I go to the CRUSIAL web page (for my model) they recommend the following:
http://www.crucial.com/store/l...model=Dimension%20E520

When I check out my local store they have the following Crusial RAM at good prices:
- CRUCIAL REND 667MHZ DDR2 NO-ECC 2GB @ $29
- CRUCIAL REND 800MHZ DDR2 NO-ECC 2GB @ $35
- CRUCIAL REND 800MHZ DDR2 NO-ECC 1GB @ $19 (I would get 2 for dual-channel)


This raises 2 questions ...
- Is the REND version of Crusial the same as the one they recommend? Will it work? The other Crusials are kind of expensive...

- What would be the best thing to buy?
- 1x 2gig 667mhz @ $29 // my current RAM is at 533mhz
- 1x 2gig 800mhz @ $35 // my current RAM is at 533mhz
- 2x 1gig 800mhz dual channel @ $38

Obviously the first question is the most important ... can REND even work with my PC ... does it match what Crusial is recommending (can't find much info on this "REND" stuff)...

Any advice, help, information would be much appreciated.
Thanks,

 

[RebateMonger]

That Crucial link shows two 1 GB Crucial modules, with guaranteed compatibility, for $32 with free shipping (assuming you are in the U.S.).

Crucial also says that the maximum size of a module is 1 GB for this computer. That may or may not be true. But I'd just order the pair of Crucial modules for $32 and be safe.

"Rend" is short for "Rendition". Those are "bargain-basement" modules that Crucial is marketing. They are commodity modules, with memory chips that may come from other vendors. Nothing necessarily wrong with them, but you aren't going to save any money by buying them at a local store over the "guaranteed compatible" Cruical modules.

 

[Shaitan00]

Sadly I am not in the US (Canada) and I kind of need the RAM tomorrow... thats the only reason I was looking at those ... and for the price ...

Is there anyway to confirm if the REND is compatible with the Dell Dimension E520?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Shaitan00
Sadly I am not in the US (Canada) and I kind of need the RAM tomorrow... thats the only reason I was looking at those ... and for the price ...

Is there anyway to confirm if the REND is compatible with the Dell Dimension E520?

I looked at them a few weeks ago at Newegg (where they have since become OOS). They are industry-standard 1.8V modules. The Rendition modules, either 667MHz or 800MHz should be OK.

This Dell link shows that Dell has been selling 2 GB modules for use in the E520, so you should be fine with either 1 GB or 2 GB modules:

http://accessories.us.dell.com...=en&cs=19&sku=A1229322

 

[Shaitan00]

Thats great to know ... I guess now the only question is ... 2x 1gig or 1x 2gig ... for the price difference.
What do you think?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Shaitan00
Thats great to know ... I guess now the only question is ... 2x 1gig or 1x 2gig ... for the price difference.
What do you think?

I have a preference for 2 GB modules because they are more useful in future upgrades. I'd save money, get a 2 GB module, and wait for a (maybe...) sale on another 2 GB module in the future. There are theoretical advantages to dual-channel (pairs of modules), but you'll never notice the difference.

If you check the bargain sites, you still see (in the U.S., at least) occasional 2 GB DDR2 modules for $20 or a bit less. (I don't know the Canadian prices nor the Canadian rebate situation.) Again, I'd look for straight 1.8 Volt modules. Avoid those sold for overclocking for the Dell.

 

[bamacre]

I know this has been answered a bit, but if someone else comes along viewing this thread seeking help, I have a more complete answer.

Crucial Rendititon, like RebateMonger stated, is re-branded memory and usually Samsung or Hynix. Not only are they compatible with Dell systems, but these are the exact modules Dell uses. Dell uses a lot of Samsung and Hynix memory modules, as well as Infineon, Nanya, ProMos, Elpida, and at times even Kingston and Micron. These all run at (DDR2) 1.8V or (DDR3) 1.5V. With the exception of their high-end gaming systems (which allow cpu overclocking), Dell always uses memory that runs at JEDEC standard voltage.

As for the E520, yes, it will run 2GB modules and the motherboard will support 8GB (4x2GB).