Upgrading Memory on a Dell

[l33t]

Need a 256mb stick of ddr2100 and pc133

Dell Dimension 4400
256MB Crucial ddr2100/pc266 CT238740 $37.99 @ www.crucial.com
vs
256mb Kingston KTD4400/256 $60 @ shop.kingston.com

Dell Dimension 4000
256MB Crucial pc133 CT268915 $59.99 @ www.crucial.com
vs
256MB Kingston KTD-DM133/256 $79 @ shop.kingston.com

Okay, I know those 4 part numbers are guaranteed to work in both Dells. My question is this, since I can't find any of them at any other retailer, is it safe to buy another part no. crucial/kingston if it's cheaper.

In otherwords, if I search at newegg for say CT238740, I get no match found. But if I manually browse for a 256mb pc2100 crucial stick, I get a diff part number, but its $40 with free shipping. Would this memory work in my system or is there a way to check? or should I go ahead and spend the extra $4 and buy from crucial?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Crucial uses different part numbers for the same modules when you use the "memory selector" option, so that you can't tell you're just buying the same old modules that you can find by browsing their module list. There's absolutely no reason for it of course, since they're charging the same prices.

For instance, the CT238740 is the same module as CT3264Z265. I'm not sure where the "extra $4" from Crucial comes from, since it's cheaper from Crucial no matter which why you slice it. I don't see any reason you'd even be considering Newegg in this case.

You can tell what the modules are by getting the price and specs from the memory selector, then go look for the same module type by the lists of memory types and find the one that is the same price, and verify the latency and parity specs.

Kingston does the same thing, but they don't give you as many specs when you use the brand selector, so it's harder to compare. Kingston also seems to be charging you extra for the same modules, since a 256MB PC2100 CL2 module is only 41 dollars on their site. I guess they figure the "guaranteed compatibility" is worth an extra 50%.

 

[Mloot]

I use no-name cheapo RAM from Fry's in my Dell. It works just fine. A few weeks ago I jumped on the 59.99 512mb pc2100 at Fry's at have had no issues with it.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Save some cash in buy them from the FS/FT forum here

 

[Lord Evermore]

Pretty much any RAM will work of course. Just get the specs from http://support.dell.com as far as what speeds they support. Any name-brand will work, and most generic modules will too. Crucial or Kingston are pretty much a guarantee to work though.

I just noticed, Kingston wants 60 bucks for a single 256MB PC2100 module specified for the Dimension 4400, but even a HyperX PC2700 module is only 50 bucks from them. They REALLY would like to rape you for trying to guarantee you get the right modules.

 

[cmaMath13]

Just the thread I was looking for.

I have a friend that wants me to upgrade the memory on his Dell 4100 (SDRAM) and I wanted to make sure it was not proprietary.

Thanks.

 

[bacillus]

Originally posted by: cmaMath
Just the thread I was looking for.

I have a friend that wants me to upgrade the memory on his Dell 4100 (SDRAM) and I wanted to make sure it was not proprietary.

Thanks.

is that 4100 a laptop?

 

[cmaMath13]

No, it is desktop (tower). It has to banks for SDRAM (PC133) and only one is used. I read there is a 512MB limit.

 

[Mloot]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
Pretty much any RAM will work of course. Just get the specs from http://support.dell.com as far as what speeds they support. Any name-brand will work, and most generic modules will too. Crucial or Kingston are pretty much a guarantee to work though.

Same here. I have two DIMMS (1x256, 1x512) of cheapo RAM in my Dell 4500S. I think one is PNY brand from BB, and the other is some brand I never heard of from Fry's. They have worked just fine ever since I got them several months ago.

 

[cmaMath13]

Cool! Thanks for the information!

 

[DaviDaVinci]

what's up with the proprietary RAM in dell pc's?

My friend has one and it has 2 notches where it goes and empty slots have DELL fillers in them. Can you get that same RAM else where?

I need to find out her model. The mobo says Dell on it , that's all i can remember.

Davi

 

[borgmang]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
Crucial uses different part numbers for the same modules when you use the "memory selector" option, so that you can't tell you're just buying the same old modules that you can find by browsing their module list. There's absolutely no reason for it of course, since they're charging the same prices.

For instance, the CT238740 is the same module as CT3264Z265. I'm not sure where the "extra $4" from Crucial comes from, since it's cheaper from Crucial no matter which why you slice it. I don't see any reason you'd even be considering Newegg in this case.

You can tell what the modules are by getting the price and specs from the memory selector, then go look for the same module type by the lists of memory types and find the one that is the same price, and verify the latency and parity specs.

Kingston does the same thing, but they don't give you as many specs when you use the brand selector, so it's harder to compare. Kingston also seems to be charging you extra for the same modules, since a 256MB PC2100 CL2 module is only 41 dollars on their site. I guess they figure the "guaranteed compatibility" is worth an extra 50%.

Agreed

 

[cmaMath13]

Thanks for the info guys!