Can anyone advise me on which memory to buy?

[Brds7t7]

Hey All,

I'm going to be upgrading my memory from 4GB to 8GB in the next few weeks.

I have a Dell Dimension 9200. On the Dell and Crucial websites it states the Maximum Memory is 4GB, however I know that it can take 8GB. There have been numerous forums where people have stated they have successfully updated the memory to 8GB in a Dimension 9200 (XPS 410).

If someone could please advise on which to buy that would be great. I can provide any additional specs if needed.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Which brand??

Or which type/module?

Are you replacing all of your current memory, or just adding to it?

If the latter, I'd try to match the major specs of the existing sticks, particularly speed and voltage. Ideally, try to match the brand and model number.

If you are doing a total replacement and not overclocking the RAM, I'd just get the cheapest compatible from a reliable brand--Crucial, G Skill, Corsair.

 

[Solarstarshines]

If you went to the crucial website and it showed how many dimm slots and how much ram you are Useing and what you can upgrade too just follow what they suggest

Don't have to get the cheapest ram just ram with in budget that works with that board Only use what is recomended and also don't mix and match ram stability issues will follow

 

[Brds7t7]

Hello ignatzatsonic,

I've got 4GB memory at the moment. I'm going to take two of the 1GB sticks and replace them for 2GB then replace the other two at a later date as I'm on a budget at the moment.

I did a crucial scan and it states I have DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 1.8v

Not too sure on the make as it came with the PC when I bought it.

 

[Brds7t7]

Hey solarstarshines,

I know they have to be replaced in matching pairs but can you mix two pairs at all?

Or would it just be better to replace the whole lot at the same time?

 

[Brds7t7]

I think the memory is made by Hynix Semiconductor Inc.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Hello ignatzatsonic,

I've got 4GB memory at the moment. I'm going to take two of the 1GB sticks and replace them for 2GB then replace the other two at a later date as I'm on a budget at the moment.

I did a crucial scan and it states I have DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 1.8v

Not too sure on the make as it came with the PC when I bought it.

Are you referring to replacing the RAM in your system specs? Googling that model number leads me to believe it is Hynix brand.

I'm guessing you have four 1 gig sticks and a total of 4 slots?

Honestly: I'd do one of the following 2 things:

1: Do nothing, unless you have solid reasons to believe you are often using ALL of the 4 GB you now have. Put the money toward an SSD if you don't have one.

2: Don't buy anything until you have the money stockpiled to buy the entire 8 GB package at one time. That saves you postage involved in 2 separate orders and ensures that you get a matching set when you do order..

 

[Brds7t7]

Well my memory is usually running at about 50% on idle but if I have a lot of programs running it can reach about 80-85% never fully at 100% though to be honest.

So maybe it is worth me looking into an SSD instead? Do you have any advice on good brands? Or should I post that in another thread?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

DDR2 is still expensive next to DDR3 modules. I would do as ignatzatsonic recommends and wait till you can pop for all four at the same time, also you can start shopping for the best deal. Another thought but possibly out of the question would be to start looking to upgrade the mobo and processor as long as the Dell's form factor is a normal one. The savings on the DDR3 alone will get you well into a replacement and modernized mobo.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Well my memory is usually running at about 50% on idle but if I have a lot of programs running it can reach about 80-85% never fully at 100% though to be honest.

So maybe it is worth me looking into an SSD instead? Do you have any advice on good brands? Or should I post that in another thread?

Crucial, Intel, and Samsung would be my SSD choices. Plenty of people get along fine with 60 GB SSD. I have an 80 GB Intel and have only 29 GB used, with 50 apps installed.

That will do more for you than RAM in most situations---particularly when by your own admission you are not using even 4 GB of RAM now.

As Linnemeyer implies---DDR 2 is older tech and can get expensive relative to DDR 3.

I'd probably get an SSD now, live with 4 GB of DDR 2, and then stockpile money toward a new motherboard/CPU/RAM buy when it was in my budget---even if it took a year.

During that year, you will get more enjoyment from the SSD than you would from the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th GB of RAM---which you may NEVER use, since you don't use 4 now.

 

[Brds7t7]

Great advice guys thanks.

I know the Dell Motherboard in my system isn't the usual form. It's not the standard ATX case. Different motherboard size, fans are hard to get to also as you have to remove the heatsink on the CPU to get to them.

I'm going to take your advice ignatzatsonic and look at SSD's. How much did you pay for your 80GB?

Can the SSD be installed into a 2.5' Floppy drive bay? I currently have 2 3.5' Spinners already installed configured for Raid. I would keep those for data storage and just keep my OS on the SSD.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I know the Dell Motherboard in my system isn't the usual form. It's not the standard ATX case. Different motherboard size, fans are hard to get to also as you have to remove the heatsink on the CPU to get to them.

I'm going to take your advice ignatzatsonic and look at SSD's. How much did you pay for your 80GB?

Can the SSD be installed into a 2.5' Floppy drive bay? I currently have 2 3.5' Spinners already installed configured for Raid. I would keep those for data storage and just keep my OS on the SSD.

I paid 160 just over a year ago. Intels have not come down too much in price, but I have some good brands on sale for under $1 per GB. I don't know about the UK, but overall SSD prices are down perhaps 20 or 25% in the last year and will presumably trend lower over time.

One good thing about SSDs is they can be mounted nearly anywhere. They have no moving parts and so aren't subject to jarring/shock issues as much as HDDs.

I had my SSD mounted in the bottom of my case using strong tape. No issues at all. I wouldn't bother getting a "mounting kit". Just get the OEM version and make sure you have cables. I recently upgraded my case and now use a standard internal bay.

Dell cases can be tricky and non-standard, particularly regarding connections. You might want to consider getting another case and PSU along with motherboard, CPU, and RAM when you eventually have the money.

I wouldn't worry about that now. I'd get the SSD and start saving. During that time, try to educate yourself about the usability of your current Dell case and PSU if you get a new mobo/CPU/RAM eventually.

 

[Brds7t7]

I know the Dell Motherboard in my system isn't the usual form. It's not the standard ATX case. Different motherboard size, fans are hard to get to also as you have to remove the heatsink on the CPU to get to them.

I'm going to take your advice ignatzatsonic and look at SSD's. How much did you pay for your 80GB?

Can the SSD be installed into a 2.5' Floppy drive bay? I currently have 2 3.5' Spinners already installed configured for Raid. I would keep those for data storage and just keep my OS on the SSD.

I paid 160 just over a year ago. Intels have not come down too much in price, but I have some good brands on sale for under $1 per GB. I don't know about the UK, but overall SSD prices are down perhaps 20 or 25% in the last year and will presumably trend lower over time.

One good thing about SSDs is they can be mounted nearly anywhere. They have no moving parts and so aren't subject to jarring/shock issues as much as HDDs.

I had my SSD mounted in the bottom of my case using strong tape. No issues at all. I wouldn't bother getting a "mounting kit". Just get the OEM version and make sure you have cables. I recently upgraded my case and now use a standard internal bay.

Dell cases can be tricky and non-standard, particularly regarding connections. You might want to consider getting another case and PSU along with motherboard, CPU, and RAM when you eventually have the money.

I wouldn't worry about that now. I'd get the SSD and start saving. During that time, try to educate yourself about the usability of your current Dell case and CPU if you get a new mobo/CPU/RAM eventually.

Just found this while on the Crucial site.

128GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive, upgrades for Dell Dimension 9200 Desktop/PC, CT2224995 from Crucial.com

I'll have a look around first before buying anything but that seems really good. Didn't realise I could get 128GB SSD for under £100.

Do the SSD's get hot? As I would probably mount it under my Media Card Reader.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Just found this while on the Crucial site.

128GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive, upgrades for Dell Dimension 9200 Desktop/PC, CT2224995 from Crucial.com

I'll have a look around first before buying anything but that seems really good. Didn't realise I could get 128GB SSD for under £100.

The M4 is a good SSD.

You would not need 128 GB in most cases.

I think the Samsung is the 830 series? Or maybe 930?

My Intel is the 320 series, which I think is available in small sizes.

Don't agonize over published SSD specs. They are all way faster than HDD. Concentrate on the right size, price, reliability, support, and vendor.

 

[Brds7t7]

Just found this while on the Crucial site.

128GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive, upgrades for Dell Dimension 9200 Desktop/PC, CT2224995 from Crucial.com

I'll have a look around first before buying anything but that seems really good. Didn't realise I could get 128GB SSD for under £100.

The M4 is a good SSD.

You would not need 128 GB in most cases.

I think the Samsung is the 830 series? Or maybe 930?

My Intel is the 320 series, which I think is available in small sizes.

Don't agonize over published SSD specs. They are all way faster than HDD. Concentrate on the right size, price, reliability, support, and vendor.

There's a 64GB Samsung 830 for £75. Just looking at some comparisons between that and a 7200RPM spinner.....Whoa! Boot speeds are incredibly fast.

Would the fact I'm using a Raid config on two spinners effect the performance of the SSD at all?

Also, I don't think my board is SATA III capable. Just SATA II.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

There's a 64GB Samsung 830 for £75. Just looking at some comparisons between that and a 7200RPM spinner.....Whoa! Boot speeds are incredibly fast.

Would the fact I'm using a Raid config on two spinners effect the performance of the SSD at all?

I know next to nothing about RAID.

Those who do know about it on this forum seem to frown about its performance when compared to SSD.

I'll assume you have good reasons for using it.

SSD boot speeds are typically about 30 seconds.

 

[Brds7t7]

When I bought the System it was already set up as Raid, I've just never changed it.

I'm assuming an SATA III SSD will still work on an SATA II board, albeit at decreased speeds?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm assuming an SATA III SSD will still work on an SATA II board, albeit at decreased speeds?

I can't recall anyone saying there is any particular reason for SATA 3 drives.

If available at the same price, I suppose I'd do it, but otherwise I wouldn't bother. I'm not at all sure there is any effective difference as I have not kept up with the very latest developments.

 

[Brds7t7]

Thanks ignatzatsonic I really appreciate all the advice.

I think my next purchase may be the Samsung 830 64GB instead of the memory. Been looking at comparisons and videos on YouTube.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Thanks ignatzatsonic I really appreciate all the advice.

I think my next purchase may be the Samsung 830 64GB instead of the memory. Been looking at comparisons and videos on YouTube.

The Samsung 830 64 GB is currently $85 at Newegg for the bare drive. It's $100 for the version with the "upgrade kit", which you should not need.

The Crucial M4 at the same exact size is currently $80 at Newegg.

I'd just get the cheapest of those 2 in the UK.

Intel has a 60 GB and an 80 GB, but no 64 GB.