Hi all, First post from a computer idiot. I recently bought a new PC, cheapest I could find at the time (Dell Dimension C521) which came with only 256MB of RAM. It's running slower than my previous PC which had 256 + 128mb so I'm assuming it's the lack of RAM as the rest seems higher spec. So I'm looking to add some RAM by the cheapest route possible and I've been looking at ebay, I'm not planning on adding much as I'm on a very, very limited budget so probably just doubling it. My new PC takes DDR2 so my old memory is no use. My questions are: 1)I need matched pairs to add, but can I add a pair to the one already fitted? 2)My manual says it supports 533Mhz, 667Mhz & 800Mhz so is the 400Mhz pair I've spotted on ebay no use? Are there any other issues I need to be aware of? I think thats it. Cheers.

Dont all rush to answer my questions please, first lot of memory i'd spotted now gone. Anyone recommend a forum where people are willing to help???????????? Sorry, sounds a bit arsey, but other forums I'm in are very helpful. I have more questions but as I've had no responses maybe I'll wait, lol.

Hello,

My name is Mike, advertisement advertisement lip service lip service. I've read your post and wanted to offer some assistance. To answer your questions 1) Yes, you should be able to add a pair to the existing chips as long as the board supports it (e.g. there are available slots). 2) In theory, yes you can put 400mhz chips in systems, however it will lead to problems in the future and that's if the system recognizes the chips at all so I wouldn't recommend it. Another thing to keep in mind is that the memory will only run as fast as the slowest chip installed. So, if you put 2 sticks of 667Mhz chips in the system with 2 sticks that are running 533Mhz, all of the chips will run at the lower speed, 533Mhz. If you have any other questions for me you can reach me at customer_advocate@dell.com with my name and this description in the subject line, ATTN: Mike B. (Dell memory speed), and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Thanks,

Mike.
Dell customer advocate.

PS. Support your local businesses and only use Dell computers for boat anchors, targets in mortar exercises and games of "lets smash a dell to tiny pieces with a baseball bat"

Thanks

Welcome both of you to the forums and thanks Mike. I didnt know that Dell has "Customer Advocates" who help people on forums. Impressed

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Well, they must be pretty despirate to turn around the general consensus that their systems are overpriced, stunted, piles of crap and that their customer services WOULD be second to none if it wasn't for Telecom group.

I suppose they need to connect the the community, since there is a perception that their corporate mission seems to involve crushing the little guy at the cost of regional economy and the system builder industry in general.

It's especially hard to address these matters because they are all quite true.

well said that man.

I love their upgrade prices of the 'base' price.

E6300 £30 more than an E4300. £10 in the shops.

And they're hdd upgrades are ludicrously priced.

A few months ago i saw an upgrade on the ram from 1gb to 4gb for £1300.....

Dell exist and continue to exist because, unfortunatley, most of Joe Public is ignorant of costs involved in a pc, and they rely on marketing to get the sales. (Something they've done rather well to be frank). Joe see's a well made unit, on the outside, subtle in design, almost 'lifestyle' in appearance and assumes the whole buying process is going to be like that.

My cousin has an xps, superb looking case but when you look deeper (as in open the side panel) its horrible. Would you, after spending well over £1400 want to see blue tape tying your cables together? would you want to see pretty much no cable-management whatsoever?

Their customer services people (i use the term generically in Dells case) also seem to work from scripts. I asked what latency a particular speed of ram had... didnt have a clue. I asked what cache a particular hdd had....didnt have a clue (agent pressing buttons after each question).

As i like to be fair though, their monitors are absolutely superb.

Ah, better.

Dell


Cat - well I'm not keen on underpowered overpriced public ripoffs

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