Help select memory for my DELL 3000

[srps]

I bought a DELL 3000 with Celeron D 2.4GHz 533FSB. It has 256MB 400Mhz memory. I want to add another 256MB. I want to get dual channel working. Can I get the full 512MB memory to work in dual channel mode by adding another 256MB (PC2700) ?

Can I buy any 256MB PC2700 to make it dual channel or do I have to buy memory specially marked for running in dual channel mode?

Thanks in advance.

 

[LED]

DC is capable of working without matching sticks...You could go with Crucial whic will guarantee they will work together by listing the stetup

 

[srps]

Thanks for quick reply.
Will this Kingston memory from Bestbuy work in dual channel? This will cost only $25 fro 256MB.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...=cat01169&type=product

 

[LED]

For $25 I would give it 1 shot but Kingston is known for using a variety of chips (ie Hynix and Samsung) so it's impossible to give a guarantee...Crucial very rarely goes with other chips (sometimes Samsung)) than there own and backs up what they guarantee. Worse scenerio is that you would have a spare stick for $25...
Wondering what type of RAM is in the system now and it's settings?

 

[srps]

Thanks LED.

The system currently has 256MB 400Mhz. I haven't yet seen exact spec on this memory. But, CRUCIAL recommends, either this **DDR PC3200 ? CL=3 ? UNBUFFERED ? NON-ECC ? DDR400 ? 2.6V ? 32Meg x 64** or this **DDR PC2700 ? CL=2.5 ? UNBUFFERED ? NON-ECC ? DDR333 ? 2.5V ? 32Meg x 64 ** for this system.

Since the existing stick is PC3200 , I think if I add any PC3200 memory stick at CL=3 should work in dual channel. Is this reasoning correct?

I read somewhere that both sticks need to be made my same manufacturer for DC to work. I am not sure if that is the case.

 

[LED]

I'm no Memrory expert but check your BIOS to see what settngs you have...by purchasing Cas3 I believe it will not run @ Cas2 no matter what and may have big problems even @ CL2.5...whereas Cas2.5 sticks can do both Cas2 and Cas3