Need help getting the right ram for cheap

sagunzo216 · Dec 6, 2017

I have a dell optiplex 7010 that I upgraded with a new psu and gpu for gaming. The only problem with it is that it came with only 4gb of ram. I was hoping to upgrade to 8gb but wasn’t sure which type to buy. If anyone could point me in the best direction for the cheapest possible ram that will work in my pc it would be appreciated.

This is the 4gb ram that is already in my pc.

Axiom Ddr3 1600mhz DIMM

volkgren · Dec 6, 2017

You want to get the same exact brand&model if you can, but if you can't at least get the same speed, timing, and voltage (which the same brand&model should be also.)

Darkbreeze · Dec 6, 2017

Currently there IS no "ram for cheap". Memory is the most expensive right now that I've ever seen it in 35 years of building systems.

So long as you get modules that are the same speed, voltage, latency, timings, density and number of chips per side, it SHOULD be ok, but there are no guarantees that ANY two modules, even when they are identical part numbers, will "play nice" together.

Knowing what the part number/model number of the existing modules are would certainly help to make a recommendation. Usually there is a sticker on the memory with that information, but not always, and sometimes it gets taken off or the adhesive gets old and it falls off. You can probably get the exact model number of the memory by installing CPU-Z or another identification utility and looking on the memory tab.

Are you looking to buy new or used modules?

What country are you in?

What is the model number of your motherboard? Motherboard model number should be printed directly on the motherboard somewhere and could be a helpful indicator of what memory will work. Probably actually moreso than what your current memory is.

azaran · Dec 6, 2017

For cheap, and for matching the RAM, look on auctions sites. If you go through a Dell authorized reseller the RAM will be about as expensive, if not more so, than just buying a new kit of RAM. Which honestly may not be a bad idea. Depending on where you live you might be able to find a 2x4GB kit for the same price as another stick of the 4GB Axiom you currently have. If that's the case, the matching 2x4GB kit will likely give you a more stable experience.

sagunzo216 · Dec 6, 2017

Thanks for the help everyone, but I’ll probably just get a new 2x4gb kit because it seems the simplest. I have one more question, if I buy a new kit of 2x4gb of ram can I keep my original 4gb?

Darkbreeze · Dec 6, 2017

You CAN, if you have enough slots, but unless your motherboard supports FLEX mode, which a lot of OEM motherboards do not, then there's no guarantee that the matched set you bought will run in dual channel mode, which is probably more important than having 12GB vs 8GB.

You can always install it and then run CPU-Z to check if the two modules are running in dual channel with the third module just along for the ride. If not, then I'd run just the two matched modules so that you are in dual channel, which doubles the bandwidth. Since it's unlikely that you'll often, if ever, be using more than 8GB anyhow, having ALL of the 8GB running in dual channel will probably affect performance far more than having an additional 4GB that will ONLY help if you ever actually NEED more than the 8GB you'd have without that third module.

Be sure to install the two new modules in the two slots designated by the motherboard user manual as being intended for two module dual channel operation, and then either leave the other module out or install it in the lowest numberically designated remaining slot. So, if slots 1 and 3 are primarily for two modules in dual channel, then put the third module in slot 2. You'll need to find the manual on your motherboard and verify according to the population rules outlined in there though. Sometimes it's slots 1 and 2, sometimes it's slots 1 and 3, sometimes it's slots 2 and 4. You just need to verify in the population rules for that specific board.

william p · Dec 7, 2017

Dells need Low density RAM. The x64 in the part# at Crucial.com reflect this.
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/scanview/D982439631D926C3
Even with the same speed you can get different timings and sometimes Voltages so matching is still a good idea.
You could buy the 2x4GB and then see if your old 4GB works with it. if your getting a 4GB or higher GPU then 12GB would be a good idea anyway.

Darkbreeze · Dec 7, 2017

Eh, I can't agree with that. Not entirely anyhow.

It might be "doable", but unless you have a system that supports triple channel operation, and most systems don't, then it's still an oddball configuration.

. If it operates in FLEX, and that's a big IF, then great, but I'd never shoot for 12GB in almost any build. 4, 8, 16, 32, you know these are the much preferred numbers to avoid complications and ensure the highest probability of a dual channel operation working correctly.

So, while it MIGHT work, I can't say that I've ever heard that mentioned in any discussion about memory configurations as "a good idea", unless you know something I don't and if you do I'd actually like to hear about it. I'll agree that if it works, as mentioned before, in a FLEX configuration or even less likely triple channel, then no harm done but it's not always as simple as all that.

william p · Dec 7, 2017

4+4, and 2+2=12
If you put 4GB and 4GB in dual channel you get 8GB, then you add the original 2GB modules one to each channel you will have 6GB in each channel. This assumes the original 4GB was 2X2GB modules which it should be. Nothing 3 channel about it.
I've even run 5GB dual channel. 2x2 with 2x 512mb DDR2 800. This was to run a 2GB GPU in a 32 bit OS.
I also run 12GB 3 channel 3X4GB in my Dell T3500 W3690 but that's another story.

Darkbreeze · Dec 7, 2017

Yes, you are correct William. If he has 2 x 2gb then you are 100% correct that it should work fine in dual channel. I extend my apologies on that front. I was under the impression though that he had a single 4GB stick.

I suppose I, and all of us actually, probably should have verified from the start whether it was a single 4gb stick or dual 2gb sticks. I've seen a lot of these old OEM machines that came straight from the factory with single modules though so it wouldn't surprise me for it to go either way. Again, my apologies for assuming a three stick configuration when clearly it COULD be a four module one.

william p · Dec 7, 2017

That's OK I didn't verify that he had 4 RAM slots so I could have been wrong in a different way.

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