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    RAM upgrade compatibility?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by yaky, Jul 29, 2005.

  1. yaky

    yaky Newbie

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    I have a Dell Inspiron 5150 and want to add 1gig of ram. I first went to kingston and looked up my comp and it came up with a stick specifically named for my computer. So I wondered if the RAM they made was special for my computer or if any kind of 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 333 would work fine. I went to crucial and asked their experts if any kind would fit, they said that ONLY their crutial ram would be compatible (not sure if he only said that to make me buy from their company).

    Kingston and Crutial offers approximately the same price, but i'm looking at new egg, and they have ram from A-DATA and Gigaram that is half the price and apparently the same 200-Pin RAM. Is there a difference? Would the other brands work?
     
    yaky, Jul 29, 2005
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  2. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The crucial, kingston brands are costlier because they guarantee that their RAM will work with your system & they return/exchange the RAM if they dont work(be sure to check their policies). Many manufacturers test the RAM, so that increases the price but reduces the number of defective ones from being shipped to the customer. Some dont, thats the reason many have half the price.

    Other RAM of the same specification 90% of the time works, but the other 10% depends on your luck...So before you buy the RAM be sure of their return & exchange policies in case the RAM doesnt work.
     
    miner, Jul 29, 2005
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  3. abccba

    abccba Notebook Geek

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    Can i use 1GB PC3200 DDR400 SODIMM on my inspiron 5150 instead of the PC2700? it also has 200 pin. i am not sure
     
    abccba, Dec 27, 2006
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  4. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    I believe you can. However it will not run at the faster speed of DDR400 but instead it will still run at DDR333 speed. So unless it is noticably cheaper I would just get the PC2700.

    BTW Please do not hijack threads. Make your own thread for your questions next time.

    Thank you :)
    Tim
     
    Tim, Dec 27, 2006
    #4