1 GB memory stick vs. 2 512mb memory sticks

According to the CNet review, your system uses up to 1 GB (2 x 512 in two channels) of PC2700 333 mhz. The Mushkin you chose in your post is PC3200 400 mhz. I believe the Mushkin PC3200 will work, but it will not run at 400 mhz. in your system. You need PC2700 like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

Bonsai171  

I disagree with Prong's assessment ... I too double checked your Dell system's specs ... although you are limited to a max of 1GB RAM (maybe that can be changed via a BIOS upgrade, so check with Dell) the Dell specs clearly state DDR PC3200, also referred to as DDR-400. It appears that Dell clocked the FSB (front side bus) at 166MHz, thus the 333MHz spec, which is for double pumped, 2x native clock rate of memory.

Now then, consider this: would Dell have spec'd a higher performance memory IF cheaper stuff would've worked as well?? In the hyper-competitive systems market I think NOT ... no one, but no one in the mass market arena can "afford" such idiocy! :roll: BTW, I'm not asserting that Prong is an idiot, rather I assume like I always do, he was simply recommending the lowest cost solution for the presenting problem, which without deeper analysis would default to the PC2700 RAM.

I recommend that you acquire top quality PC3200 ,,, stuff that can run forever at 2-2-2-6 timings. Then, you can experiment with faster FSB speeds and perhaps gain significant performance improvements. I personally use this: Ballistix DDR-400 and I can unconditionally recommend it ... besides, if you buy factory direct you'll get a lifetime warranty with cross shipping priviledges (you can wait to return the defective stick(s) until after you receive the replacement(s), thus you can continue to use the limping system!) Over the years (since '97) I've exclusively owned numerous Micron memory products from PC100 on up, and I've now had a total of (3) occurences of chip failures, which in every case Micron-Crucial replaced with new sticks no questions asked and no hassles.

PC3200 will work. Kingston recommends PC2700 as well for your system. I am totally unfamiliar with Dell. Perhaps you can call their tech support for suggestions.

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/models...

Here's some documentation from Dell's site:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/e...

Looked up the service tag too, and according to that, the system has a P4 2.8Ghz cpu with a 533 Mhz Front side bus. In any case, 1 GB is the max, which seems fine. It does look like the board is supposed to take PC3200 DDR at 400 Mhz..

Maybe you can explain the part about the timing? (not really familiar with that). Didn't realize Micron is part of Crucial (Did they buy them recently)? Years ago i had micron memory too, mostly of the pc100 variety in some older machines, and it never dissapointed.. Thanks,

Dave