Computer Experts...Need ur Help

[Happy1]

Hello every1, I've a Dell Dimension 4300, Processor:X86 Family 15 Model 0 Stepping 10, GenuineIntel, Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1600MHz.

OS: Windows XP Home Edition, SP2, BIOS=DELL -6, have 2 slots
(1 curreently in use) w/255MB installed RAM.  Am planning to pur-
chase additional 256MB SDRAM 168 PIN PC133 DIMM.

As I c it I can upgrade to 512MB, however, in my "Google" search
I found quite a variance in price pertaining to the purchase of  the
256MB Memory Upgrade for Dell Dimension 4300, with buffered &
unbuffered RAMs ?   No idea as to WHAT each does, nor would it work for me??

I've found prices from $32.00 to Dell's $79.99, but if the RAM doesn't work & I don't return the RAM to purchaser within 30 days
I've to pay them a 20% restocking fee!!!     Does every business today have 2b crooked w/no controls or laws protecting
the consumers??

Would people well versed with computers pls avail me of ur expertise in recommending which would be a GOOD BUY for me?

Thanks,

Cheers,

Happy1  

[StarOfAfrica2]

Well, first of all is the RAM in your computer already PC 133?  I have to assume it is or you wouldnt mention it specifically.

That said, your second stick should be a 256 MB DIMM of PC 133 non-ECC (unbuffered) RAM.  Usually I'd just make sure wherever you buy from has a review capability (like newegg.com uses), and READ THE REVIEWS.  If it doesnt have a good review dont buy it.  I've been burned that way before, bought cheaper RAM from an unknown company to save money and had to send it back.  I'd also recommend http://www.newegg.com because you wont pay a restocking fee.  You WILL have to pay to ship it back to them, if it's bad.  But they will take the old back and ship you a new stick right away.  No hassles.

[Kazaa]

Im not a computer expert, but if your looking for ram then OCZ is the best you can get. When it comes to RAM like any other PC componet you want to get the best you can offord. BTW I got my PC from dell & the RAM I got was CRAP with a capital C & cost me £150 give or take, well my dad anyway.

BTW look for good timmings (latency), an exaple is as follows 4-4-4-8. BTW the lower the better.

Also the Speed (mhz) is important, but you might need to get a new/better mobo/motherboard as once again the one that dell issues is crap with another capital C. (Abit have great mobo's)

Also look for DDR2 memory, its a must have for online games such as AH2, but if you can wait till next year im sure DDR3 will be comming out but I cannot be sertain.

Good luck Kazaa, BTW I just quickly read through your post so if this has nothing to do with your topic then never mind.

[JTs]

go here

http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=52CCC8B6A5CA7304&WSMD=Dimension+4300+Systems&WSPN=CT263995

[OOZ662]

Kazaa, buying a goldenly-perfect piece of RAM while still using the other stock RAM is pointless. The system slows the RAM down to the speed of the slowest stick.

I would personally reccomend this. It's decent, maybe just a LITTLE overkill, but that'll make sure it's running with your other RAM. $43.25

[Schutt]

No need to buy crucial, ooz or whatever whizz ram for that pc.

First get sisoft sandra light or everest home and find out what ram exactly is in your pc.

Then find out what motherboard exactly is in your pc, i think if you find the exact dell number of your pc, not 4300 but the serial number, you can find out the mb type in your system.

Or see if it shows shortly when entering bios.

There are tons of diffrent service packets with dells and they get changed every year. When there is a free number with your pc that you can phone at dell do that, ask them which ram will fit in your comp.

Probably any stick of pc133 unbufferd ram will do, but with ram its sometimes a bit more complicated... maybe some friend has one leftover?

If you d live in hannover i could give you some... but i dont want to mail it all over the world.

[eagl]

Most crucial ram is not "whizz"...  Crucial has good high quality ram for decent prices if you don't get the ballistix branded stuff.  The worst computer experiences I've ever had were all caused by using cheap ram.  Crucial memory is reasonably priced and compares very well for price/performance against any other name brand "value" memory.

If you don't want crucial, at least go with kingston or some other name brand.  Another reason I like crucial is that their RMA policy is awesome.  I had one stick of crucial fail after 14 months, and even though their warranty was only one year, they cross-shipped a replacement stick of memory to me for free.  I don't think you'll find better memory support anywhere.

[Kazaa]

OOZ662 GOOD POINT

[StarOfAfrica2]

Listen to Schutt.  You want as much info as possible on your system.  

Kazaa, if he's using PC 133 RAM, thats not DDR.  Most likely, his system wont use DDR.  PC 133 isnt compatible with other types like the DDR RAM is.  You have to match what you've already got with the older stuff.  He COULD have a motherboard that came out during the switchover, and will take either PC133 or PC-2100 DDR RAM (had 4 slots, 2 of one size, 2 of the other).  I wouldnt bet on it though with a Dell.  

eagl had some good advice too, you want to rely on brand names when it comes to RAM.  However, my experience in the last couple of years is that Kingston is not the company they used to be.  They were once the tops in cheap but stable RAM, but their quality control has gone way down.  I wouldn't recommend them.  You can get some really good deals on Corsair stuff though on Newegg.

[OOZ662]

SoA2, I was doing a quick look through and I saw Crucial and Kingston, but Crucial was a "ValuePak" sorta thing...steered clear of that. The rest of the names I'd never heard of before.