Adding RAM to your Computer (QUESTION)

I want to buy this RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145025

I have a Dell DIMENSION 8250
Intel Pentium 4
2.53 GHz
256 MB of RAM

How do I know if this fits into my computer?

Do I simply plug the RAM into my computer?

What do I need to know?

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Basically, I need to add 256 More RAM for that price. And I need info on how to do this, it's my first time, and im no expert
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There will be slots(most likely on the opposite end the PCI slots[where video cards and such go]) that have little rectangular sticks in them, first check how many slots and what size of sticks you have, I'm assuming you have 2 128 mb sticks, but I may be wrong. Look in your computer to see how many slots and of what type you have because you may only have 2, and if that's the case then you'll need bigger sticks

[QUOTE=Meneldil]I

How do I know if this fits into my computer?

Do I simply plug the RAM into my computer?

What do I need to know?

QUOTE]

go to the corsair site and follow the instructions under will this be compatable with what i have area.

follow instructions on switching ram on their sight (should be instructions)

avoid static like the plague.

simply orient correctly (it is keyed) and push in gently but firmly until the little arms click up to hold it.

do the proper voo-doo dance to appease the pc gpds , bow 3 times for luck and you should be fine

You have to remember one important thing with Dell computers and their ram....they are FUSSY. Any old ram will not work. I always suggest using crucial.com for any Dell ram upgrades. It is guarantied to work from Crucial.

Crucial has a system checker that will tell you exactly what kind of ram you have inside your Dell box.

I will tell you now Corsair and Kingston ram is very unreliable/unstable in a Dell computer. You will want Samsung or Micron. Dell uses those brands. You want expert advice? Then go to Dell Community Forums and search there. This topic has been covered many times on those forums.

Also it is ALWAYS best to match the same brand of ram chips. Mixing them will cause problems. I would forget about just adding another 256Mb chip and get all new chips that match. YES..it will cost more...but then your system will be stable. I would look at 2x512Mb of ram from Crucial and see what that costs.

All three of my Dell's have crucial ram in them. They all run perfectly. Even my old Dim 4100 is stable. I have 4Gb of ram (4x1Gb) in my newest Dell and it cost me about $450.00.

lol hahaha

thanks

and olddood thanks

You are wise beyond your years Meneldil!

EDIT: The reason I say that is....YOU asked first. Most just buy a stick of ram and then wonder why it will not work correctly. Also...when you get the correct stick(s) of ram take your time...do not force it. It should snap into place firmly. When you unplug your computer....then push the power button one more time and hold it. This will drain the last of the trickle charge left in your system.

That seems to be the most common ram, the stick that you wan't to purchase, so assuming your computer isn't ancient, then it should work.

Definetly run a crucial scan though...

Can I just add, I thought the Dell 8250 takes RDRAM, that what the OP linked to is SDRAM.

A bit of digging -

http://support.euro.dell.com/support...ce.htm#1106497

According to that page on Dells' site it does take RDRAM, so buying the SDRAM modules will just be a waste of money as they just will not work at all due to RDRAM being a RIMM slot and SDRAM a DIMM slot. Sadly though, RDRAM is really expensive when compared to SDRAM. For instance, I recently picked up an extra 1GB of PC3200 for just £40UK.

http://www.crucial.com/index.asp

Run the system checker or memory advisor, and look for it on newegg.

Crucial = WIN!

whoa whoa whoa wait a second everyone.

ok, so i went to cruicial, and it said nothing was available for me DELL dimension (details on first post)

and i do believe it does take RDRAM (dont know what it is though) because i read about it.

i could only find 128-RAM (rdram) for 50 bucks, and that would mean i need to buy 2 of them, and that would be $100 lousy bucks for just 256 RAM!! GAHHHH!

I took the RAM out of my computer and wrote down all i could:

Samsung
MR16M1624DFO-CT9

Going from that serial number, it does look like your memory is indeed RDRAM.

Corsair and Kingston still produce RDRAM modules, it may well be worth it to check those brands out too. Like I said above though, RDRAM is bloody expensive compared to DDR. Just remember to get the right speed modules as well.

If you're PC has a FSB of 400MHz then you need to get the 800RDRAM, if it's the 533MHz FSB then the 1066RDRAM will work fine. You can use the 1066RDRAM in the 400MHz FSB, but the PC will run all installed memory at the slower speed.

Well you can always go to Dell and see what they have. Top dollar I am sure though. It would be guarrantied to work.