Mixing RAM speeds in Dell?

[DoubleHelix747]

Hi there, please help a noobie...

I finally decided to upgrade RAM on my Dell Dimension 8250 circa 2003. The system uses RDRAM and the price on eBay has finally come down to something reasonable. The system has paltry 256MB RAM currently. I don't know what mobo is being used in the system. However, I know that it has an Intel P4 2.4 GHz cpu and the Dell site tells me that the system clock speed is 533MHz.

Here is the question I have - which one of the following would result in a perceptibly faster upgraded system?

(1) 256MB at 533MHz (existing) + 512MB at 800MHz = 768MB at 533MHz

OR

(2) 512MB at 800MHz only (i.e. throw out the existing sticks).

I know that in (1) the faster sticks would be throttled down to the lower speed. However, I am not sure about option (2). If the system clock speed is 533MHz, then even (2) would result in new 800MHz sticks being throttled down to 533MHz. In that case, (1) would seem to be better as I at least have more capacity.

Is it possible that the mobo may support higher clock speed (i.e. 800MHz) even though Dell lists current configuration as 533MHz one? If this is true, than (2) might be a better option (especially if decide to upgrade later to 1GB RAM).

Any suggestions or views would be very welcome.

 

[mpilchfamily]

More RAM is much better in your case. But the system isn't worth the price of the NEW RAM. RDRAM is and always has been way too exspencive. Its not worth upgrading an old RDRAM based system. But if you get the higher speed RAM then it will only run at the slower speed unless you OC the CPU to get the RAM speed up.

Bottom line is RDRAM systems are dead. Don't wast your money on upgrading it. Also 1Gb of RAM on that system isn't even worth thinking about. If you don't have a couple hondred dollars availible right now for a new system then start saving and work with what you have. You should be able to go into Staples or Office Depot and pick up just a tower fro around $200 to $300 and have a system that is 100 times better then what you are running now.

 

[DoubleHelix747]

Thanks. You would be 120% correct if I had to buy RDRAM at normal price. I am getting it from ebay (and hoping it works) for $39. I am a moderate user and this should tide me over for another 2-3 years ;-). Moreover, this system goes into the guest room soon. In the meantime, I need to save my money for a kickass laptop!!!!!

Thanks for the reply.