Memory Upgrade

[sigma1914]

I'm upgrading memory from 2GB to 4GB on mine & my father's Dells. He has a XPS 410 & I have a XPS 400. Both manuals say:
Type - dual-channel 533-, 667-, and 800-MHz DDR2

Memory connectors - four

Memory capacities - 512 MB or 1 GB

Maximum memory - 4 GB

Will these work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Is it better to buy 2x2GB and replace the 2x2GB we have OR add another 2x2GB?

[kocuba]

goto to www.crucial.com and input your PC specs. Should come back and tell you exactly what you are suppose to use.

[Mark Holtz]

Are you running XP or Vista? 32-bit or 64-bit?

[sigma1914]

I'm XP 32, and he's Vista 64....I think 64.

[BattleZone]

Notice where it says "Memory Capacities"? That means it will only work with 1 GB-sized modules max. 2 GB modules won't be recognized. So, what you want to do is buy 2 more 1 GB DDR2-800 modules. All 4 slots will then be populated.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Keep in mind that 32-bit Windows can't make use of 4Gb memory. I forget the actual number, but I think it's something like 3.2 Gb that's addressable. It's simple binary math, but I'm fried after a long week at work.

[dave29]

add 2 -512 sticks for the 32 bit
add 2- 1gb stcks for the 64 bit

[sideswipe]

dave29 has good advise but make sure same speed as what you are using b4 you just "add", also if using 533 or 667 consider replacing them with faster 800

[Hansen]

Memory is cheap these days. I would put 4 gigs in each system even though you can't use it all right now in the 32 bit system. You might eventually upgrade to Vista 64bit or Windows 7 64bit and then you can use it all. Make sure all modules match for speed and timings to avoid memory errors.

[rudeney]

Notice where it says "Memory Capacities"? That means it will only work with 1 GB-sized modules max. 2 GB modules won't be recognized. So, what you want to do is buy 2 more 1 GB DDR2-800 modules. All 4 slots will then be populated.

I don't know about the OP's specific system, but I will say that often, computer manufacturers don't always publish correct information about memory capacities. I have a Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop that clearly states the maximum memory is 2GB (2x1GB). The Dell website says this as does Crucial and Kingston. I installed 2x2GB (i.e. 4GB) and it recognizes the memory and works just fine. Of course I know Vista 32bit can only use ~3.5GB, but that's still better than 2GB!

[AlbertZeroK]

1st - plan on replacing ALL the existing memory. Having mixed memory of different brands or speed is an easy ticket to system issues.

2nd - I prefer OCZ memory from Newegg. Cruital is good. Stay away from GSkill - I have a stack of it here that I pulled out of another vendor's computers for a client and won't even give it away.

[dave29]

i second OCZ memory, thats what i use in all of my machines

[Hansen]

I like Corsair and OCZ. Newegg carries both and has some great values.