Generic Memory for a Dell

[tym99]

I'm not a Dell aficionado, so sorry if this question is a bit basic. I've ended up with the task of getting more RAM for one of my lab's computers and was wondering if I can just put generic (i.e. non-Dell) RAM into the machine.

It's a Dimension XPS T500 with 128 MB (168-pin, PC100, ECC) currently installed. The manual says the max system memory is 768 MB. Can I get a registered 512-MB DIMM (like what's advertised here: http://www.pcsforeveryone.com/pt-memory.html) and safely slap it into the computer?

The Dell website is strangely silent on this, instead encouraging people to buy Dell's (expensive) custom memory. Hmm...

Thanks!

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"Nothing is written."

--Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia

[This message has been edited by tym99 (edited 08-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by tym99 (edited 08-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by tym99 (edited 08-29-2001).]

[Murf]

Any memory will work as long as it is the same type; that is speed, parity etc. In your case - 168-pin, PC100, ECC.

Although brand name has a better warranty, I use generic all the time.

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Murf

Visit-Murf's Windows Garage
Murf's On-Line Specialty Store

[Ghaud]

Might as well do it right, and cheaper, here.

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On the other hand...

[tym99]

Good to hear. I just wasn't sure if Dell's proprietary motherboards wouldn't like other brands of memory.

What about registered vs. nonregistered? Will there be a compatibility issue with the Dell?

Thanks!

------------------
"Nothing is written."

--Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia

[This message has been edited by tym99 (edited 08-29-2001).]

[tym99]

Well, I seem to have solved this one once and for all myself. After rooting around on the Dell support website, I found this link: http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dkub/specs.htm

Only DIMMs up to 256 MB in size are compatible--512 won't work!

Thought I'd post this in case anyone else was wondering about this questions as well.

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"Nothing is written."

--Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia

[Airhead]

Thanks for including that link, tym99. I am ready to increase the RAM memory of my Dimension XPS T600r with 128MB myself, so have been watching your thread for any helpful information I might glean. Unfortunately, I am one of those people who has never had the cover off the computer and wouldn't know a stick of RAM from a motherboard, so I don't understand a lot of what is included on that link. I may have to call on my friends at VirtualDr quite a few times before I know what I am doing!

[Renovator]

Just some info. From lurking the Dell forums in the past, Crucial is the memory of choice.

Ghaud has provided the link above, of course.

Crucial recommends are also consistent with the Dell site, no 512's are listed.

[ecrosson]

I would be very careful with this one. Even though any RAM should work in the box as long as it's the same kind, I support hundreds of DELL boxes at my job, and even have one in my home. They are very picky boxes as to what RAM they will really work well with. We use Crucial memory in all of ours right now. I have seen some generic brands cause the boxes to fail, or at least give very strange errors. And this is when the memory is supposed to work fine with the machine(s) too.
Just some nuggets from my experiences with DELL machines, and servers.

Hope this helps out some.

[ChuckG]

I have three Dell's around here. All of them have some Crucial memory in them. No problems.

[tym99]

Thanks all. Some definite praise for Crucial. I'm definitely considering them.

However, does anyone have experience with ATP Electronics RAM, sold by the company in the link I provided in the first post? I've dealt with that place before and they're near the lab, so purchasing memory from them would be a snap. I was thinking two 256-MB CL3 DIMMS.

Anyone have experience with ATP sticks in a Dell machine?

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"Nothing is written."

--Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia

[tym99]

Does nobody have experience with ATP modules in a Dell machine?

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"Nothing is written."

--Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia

[tym99]

^bump^

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"Nothing is written."

--Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia