Upgrading memory on Dell Dimension 4700... ?

[mrsilv04]

Currently has a whopping 512MB of PC2-3200 (400 Mhz) memory (gag). Computer is right at 4 years old. Wanting to upgrade it to a full 4GB.

How much faster can I go with the memory? The Crucial memory finder states that I can go all the way up to PC2-6400 memory. That seems like quite a jump.

I was planning on going with PC2-4200 (533Mhz)... or should I go two steps up to PC2-5300 (667Mhz)?

 

[StevieC]

First of all it depends on what O/S you are running. XP doesn't really do much with anything over 2gb of RAM whereas Vista will.

Also purchasing faster speed memory will not necessarily speed up your computer because it depends on the speed of the bus in/out of the processor.

Generally from the factory, they will match the fastest memory that the processor can make use of because they want the best bang for the buck. Your computer might be able to achieve those higher memory speeds because the motherboard is capable of taking faster processors and needs a faster memory in order to work.

I would stick with the speed that's in it, and just upgrade to 2gb if you are using XP, 2K or Linux, If you are using Vista I would go for 3-4GB.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Are they really using PC2-3200? That spec is rare, though Dell would be among the ones to use it.

Basically it equates to memory that has higher latencies (slower in use) at the same speed as the memory it replaced (first generation DDR-400).

Because of the rarity of this speed, prices will likely be higher than say PC2-5300 or PC2-6400, both of which are backwards compatible.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...And&Order=PRICE

The above link should search all available 2 x 2gb (4gb total) from all manufacturers. Since the DDR2 used in your system is the slowest available speed, you can pick any since they are all backwards compatible.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
Are they really using PC2-3200? That spec is rare, though Dell would be among the ones to use it.


'PC2-3200' was printed on the sticker that is on the memory. This isn't my computer, but considering the environment that it has been in, I have no reason to believe that it has been swapped out since the computer left the factory.

It is running XP, so the benefit of 4GB is probably a waste of money, on an older machine like this.

So, I'm leaning towards adding 2GB (2-1GB units). That'll cost me about $21 delivered (free shipping).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146526
(good name, excellent price)

Since it has 4 slots for memory, should I leave in the 512MB of memory for a total of 2.5GB, or just pull it out?

 

[mstrjon32]

I bought my mom a used Dimension 4700 (or was it a 4800?) to replace her very old computer. Upgraded the stock 512mb memory to 2.5GB, with I think the exact memory modules that you linked from Newegg. No problems.

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Since it has 4 slots for memory, should I leave in the 512MB of memory for a total of 2.5GB, or just pull it out?


Some *very* old motherboards needed memory sticks to be in matched pairs. I am quite, quite certain, though, that a 4 year old system would not.

Also be aware that the memory will operate, as I recall, at the lowest speed of the sticks installed (ie. one stick of 100MHz RAM and two sticks of 3200MHz RAM would operate at 100MHz). If, however, your motherboard can only "accept" PC3200 RAM and you buy faster RAM, you'll be operating at the motherboard's limited buss speed anyhow.

I'd leave it in.

 

[OVERKILL]

Buy whatever is cheapest, DDR2 is backwards compatible. The RAM likely matches the current FSB (800Mhz) of the CPU installed, so faster RAM isn't going to make the system quicker; it will be the increase in RAM capacity that yields the performance increase.

 

[Hermann]

Had a Dimension 5100 till it was electocuted in a storm. It required matching pairs of memory. Best computer I ever had.

 

[firemachine69]

IIRC the Dimension 5100 required RD-Ram. Now THERE was a failure in the tech market...

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: firemachine69
IIRC the Dimension 5100 required RD-Ram. Now THERE was a failure in the tech market...


Yessir, suing all the major memory manufacturers is a sure-fire way to get yourself out of business

 

[unDummy]

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4700/sm/parts.htm#wp1055048

 

[unDummy]

Faster ram even on a slow motherboard can make the PC faster. If the bios reads the ram spec, quality ram will usually have less latency when underclocked. So, even if the ddr2-800 is slowed down to 667 speeds, its possible for the higher quality ram to have lower/quicker memory timings at those lower speeds.

For example when I upgraded my ram, I dumped my ddr2-667 6-6-6-18 memory for ddr-2 800 5-5-5-15 memory. So, if the ddr2-800 is slowed down to 667 speed, it could easily run at ddr2-667 5-5-5-15, and the bios read the SPD and agreed(some motherboards have chipset limitations), might even clock it to ddr2-667 4-4-4-12.

So, you get a boost in performance by having more ram, and a 2nd boost by having quality ram.

Always buy the highest quality fastest name brand memory that'll fit your computer that you can afford.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Presence_Detect

 

[OVERKILL]

"Making the PC faster" in the above scenario is indiscernible. One cannot notice 2ns difference in latency. Yes, it is faster, but you cannot perceive the difference.

The discernible difference comes from memory QUANTITY, and a smaller portion from bandwidth.