Cheaper Intel compatible DDR2 memory for Dell Optiplex 755?

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marktwayne

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Dec 16, 2010
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I have an old Dell OptiPlex 755 desktop with 2gb of 800 Mhz DDR2 low density ram. I did some research and most claim to be able to fit 4x4gb for a total 16gb. I went to eBay to find inexpensive memory for it. I would like to use it to run virtual machines.

I was horrified what I found. AMD compatible memory was selling for $25 for 16gb. Intel compatible memory (low density) was selling for $200 for 16gb. Is memory really that prohibitively expensive for old Intel-based machines? Am I missing something?
 
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It's very common for Dell to list 1/2 RAM capacity, but this is first time I've heard of Crucial doing that. Dell lists my E520 as 4GB, but it takes 8GB per Crucial.
It's good to know they take 16GB. Dell forums is not Dell itself but people who tried it and confirmed on their own. I've seen CPU added support there also beyond what Dell certified. I think 4GB is a fairly uncommon size for DDR2 DIMMs that's probably why the price is so high.
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william p

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Dells can be fussy about memory. Usually they need modules with a lot of older smaller chips on them. Crucial guarantees what they sell. I always run either that or Dell certified RAM. Market price seems to be $20 for new 2GB modules. Crucial says 8GB capacity. Thy're usually right (more so than Dell). So $80 for 8GB to max. out the 755. I know 780s take 16GB DDR3.
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19537919
 
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marktwayne

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Eight gigs doesn't max it out. The manual was just written before 4 gig DDR2 was available. This post convinced me that 16 GB is possible on the OptiPlex 755:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19296075
I don't need expensive ram for an eight year old computer, but I am very disappointed that Intel compatible 4-gig modules are eight times the price of AMD 4-gig modules. The 2-gig Intel modules are about three times the price of AMD 2-gig modules. So rather than spending $200-300 to get 16 gigs, I guess I'll install 8 for around $40.
 
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william p

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Sep 22, 2010
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It's very common for Dell to list 1/2 RAM capacity, but this is first time I've heard of Crucial doing that. Dell lists my E520 as 4GB, but it takes 8GB per Crucial.
It's good to know they take 16GB. Dell forums is not Dell itself but people who tried it and confirmed on their own. I've seen CPU added support there also beyond what Dell certified. I think 4GB is a fairly uncommon size for DDR2 DIMMs that's probably why the price is so high.
 
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