Upgrade RAM on Dell

[Guest]

Since I recently upgraded to WinXP I've thinking of upgrading the ram on my dell pc too. My biggest problem right now is that i have no clue on the differences in RAM.
When i look on dell's site they want to sell me another 128mb sdram pc 100 for 60 bucks and when i go to pricewatch i can get it for like 8 bucks. I've heard that some ram have compatibility problems and that you have to be carefull.
Should I buy the cheap stuff off of pricewatch, or fork over 60 bucks for ram i know will work?
Will more than 128mb RAM really improve the performance of my pc?

My system is:
p3 500
128mb sdram pc 100
v3 3000 agp(gonna upgrade soon)
OS winxp
TB sound card

 

[flamethrower205]

Why don't you take out that 100Mhz 128MB module, since it'll just slow system down, go to www.pricewatch.com and get Micron 256MB Module Pc 133- performance boost)for 15$. It's second page of PC133 RAM 256MB.

U got a problem?! Then dial 1800-328-7448!

 

[Guest]

I got my pc before the 133 bus system. I dont think my mobo can go higher that 100, can it? I was thinking of just upgrading the mobo and the chip but that's a little pricy for all the stuff i want right now.

 

[flamethrower205]

PC100 and 133 are the same price. Also, even if your processor and mobo can't support 133Mhz FSB, the RAM will still work, only at 100MHz. You don't need new mobo.

U got a problem?! Then dial 1800-328-7448!

 

[Guest]

so even if PC133 ram goes to 100MHz on my mobo, it'll still out perform the same size ram at PC100?

 

[SerArthurDayne]

No, the PC133 will perform exactly the same as the PC100 when using the 100mhz bus.

You don't need a new motherboard, but then again you don't need to ditch the old RAM either. Buy a 256MB stick of PC133 and install it, and keep the old stick installed as well. Your memory will run at 100mhz and everything will be just fine

If you were overclocking, chances are your motherboard could probably make it to 133fsb, but that PIII 500 is no doubt one of the old katmai cores and would never overclock that far.

"Laziness is a talent to be cultivated like any other" - Walter Slovotsky

 

[Guest]

OK thats what i figured to begin with, thanks for the help!

 

[Crashman]

Go to www.crucial.com, there you will find inexpensive top grade Micron memory for low prices with free two day shipping. Get Cas2 PC133, since it's only about a dollar more than anything else. Then you can transfer it to a different system if this one ever dies.

Back to you Tom...