RAM UPGRADE HELP!!!

[mexlokote]

well i have a dell optiplex 745 which can hold up to 8GB of ram so now i want to upgrade to 8GB
and im trying to find the best brand there is today! no matter how much it cost. it uses
ddr2 pc2-5300 667mhz 240pin non ecc unbuffered

also another question this computer also supports maximum of 4GB of 800mhz
so my question is which one should i get 8GB of 667Mhz or 4GB of 800Mhz????

 

[jonathanrhunter]

I'd go with 4GB of the 800Mhz, over a lower clock speed and more ram.

Your going to want something with a low CAS and good memory timings. (a CAS of 4 and timings of 4-4-4-12 are probably the best you'll see for this type of memory).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

Though to be honest, I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference between the two, below is a CAS of 5 and timings of 5-5-5-15. It's $25 cheaper. Besides it's not like your going from DDR2-800 to like DD3-1600 or something where you'd be able to see the difference, but it's your money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231207

 

[maxinexus]

What OS are you running? If Win 64 bit go ahead and upgrade to 8GB but if you have Win 32 bit upgrade to 4GB ONLY ( 32bit system can utilize only 3GB so there is no point of getting 8Gigs)

 

[mexlokote]

i have windows ultimate 32bit but i can upgrade to 64 withouth a problem i currently have 4GB of 667mhz

 

[maxinexus]

Another thing is that your motherboard may not support 800Mhz 2GB modules
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf

so to be on safe side get 2x2GB 667Mhz stics in a case you are running Win 32bit
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3601937&CatId=3411

If you run win 64 bit get the same but 2 pairs...just a word of caution...older motherboards may act weird when all memory slots are occupied...well it is just leap of fait you have to take

Good luck

Max

 

[maxinexus]

Well then upgrade to 64bit and get another 2x2GB and you have 8 gigs...don't expect to see significant if any changes...If I were you I would just build new rig and salvage whatever you can from your old one.

 

[mexlokote]

which is the best ram brand i can buy?

because im thinking about buying this ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145195

 

[mexlokote]

i also found this ....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-SKILL-4GB-2-x-2GB-240-Pin-DDR2-SDRAM-667-PC2-5300-LIFETIME-WARRANTY-/130662903732?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6c1dafb4#ht_736wt_1325

which i think im going to get 8GB of this since its 667mhz

 

[jonathanrhunter]

The spec sheet says it supports 800Mhz and up to 8GB max mem. THAT IS UNLESS you have a ULTRA SMALL FORM FACTOR 745. That model only support 667Mhz. Which version do you have?

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf

 

[maxinexus]

The spec sheet says it supports 800Mhz and up to 8GB max mem. THAT IS UNLESS you have a ULTRA SMALL FORM FACTOR 745. That model only support 667Mhz. Which version do you have?

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf

Look at the module types supported...it specifically writes "2-GB (800MHz not available in 2GB DIMM)" meaning that at the time the board was released 2Gb modules were not on the market =>therefore it does not support them...you grew up in USA so you better start reading/understanding small print

 

[maxinexus]

i also found this ....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-SKILL-4GB-2-x-2GB-240-Pin-DDR2-SDRAM-667-PC2-5300-LIFETIME-WARRANTY-/130662903732?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6c1dafb4#ht_736wt_1325

which i think im going to get 8GB of this since its 667mhz

this one is better it has Heat Spreaders which should help with cooling