RAM upgrade for E520

Question

Hey there,

My computer is a Dimension E520 (Only modification is an GeForce 8600GT)

I'm looking into upgrading my RAM, so that i can get more performance out of my card. I currently have 2x512MB, so 1GB. I am also running Vista, so thats taking alot of RAM anyways...

I'm undecided on wether to upgrade from my 1Gb to 2Gb or 3Gb.

If i upgrade to 2GB, whats the best option for me?

To buy another 2x512Mb of RAM to give me 2Gb in total, or to buy one 2Gb stick, or 2x1Gb...And the same question goes for the 3Gb...

I don't know what RAM i can use on my computer, i think its DDR3? Could you please tell me what type of RAM i can use, and maybe could you point out some amazon links to those RAM sticks. Are there different sizes (physically, e.g. length) that i need?

As you can tell im not 100% sure about RAM, so any help is greatly appreciated :) Thanks in advance.

P.S. I have located where the RAM sticks go on my motherboard etc...It's just a matter of how to install them. Is there anything i need to do, uninstall some drivers? Or do they just slot in :o

Message Edited by CrazyJoss on 10-15-2007 05:59 PM

PETER345 · Answer

Here are the specs:

Memory

Type 533-MHz, 667-MHz, and 800-MHz dual DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM

Memory connectors four

Memory capacities 256 MB, 512 MB, or 1 GB non-ECC

Maximum memory 4 GB

So, you can't add 1x2G. I would go with 2x1G for a total of 3G. 1G seems to be the best price right now.

Installation is simple. Just put the new sticks in and you're ready to go. Check in the BIOS to make sure they are recognized and test with the Dell diagnostics.

Peter

Message Edited by PETER345 on 10-15-2007 10:58 AM

5150Guy · Answer

The most economical would be 2 x 512, memory found here. http://www.crucial.com/search/searchresults.aspx?keywords=E521    Note the memory type (DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC) and you can buy it pretty cheap at TigerDirect.com too. This is really common RAM and very cheap.   5150Guy

mysticalriver · Answer

Great question I just bought the e521 and I love this machine.It also came with 2-512's I found on craigs list someone who upgraded his dell wich im not for sure what it was but it was close to the same as our's. So I am running a total of 3 gig.s 2-512's and 2- sticks of 1 gig each samsung ram. the only diffrence was they were one gig sticks instead of 2-512's they were ddr2 667 and my pc runs much better for the most part.   There is no sence in going to a 800 unless you are going to pull out the 667 and make it 800's all the way. I was told if you put in a 800 it will still only run at the 667 original ram specs,unless you pul it out completly and do a total ram switch. Dont know if this is true but it sounds about right. The guy I bought this ram from went to 4 gigs of ocz 800 and he sais his pc just smokes now even more than before so I just thought I would tell you that for futher refrences. one of these days when im rich lol new egg also has pretty good prices on ram Take care          Mike

ae38cb5bb8b0410 · Answer

CrazyJoss wrote:

Thanks for the helpful replies :)

Ok, so ive found this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-ValueRAM-667MHz-DDR2-Non-ECC/dp/B0009JR82U/ref=pd_bbs_1/026-0309936-3334844?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1192517841&sr=8-1

So just to verify,

I can buy two of those listed above and install them, and i will also leave my 2x512MB in, so thats 3gb in total. That should be ok right?

And if so, how do i install them, i know how to slide them in/out etc...But do they need to go in in any random order? Do i need to uninstall drivers for them? Do i need to reinstall drivers? etc...

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=92A99655A5CA7304

1.Buy this kit

2.Install in 2 empty slots

3.Fire it up-good to go

Message Edited by kpo127 on 10-16-2007 03:34 AM

CrazyJoss · Answer

Thanks for the helpful replies :)   Ok, so ive found this:   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-ValueRAM-667MHz-DDR2-Non-ECC/dp/B0009JR82U/ref=pd_bbs_1/026-0309936-3334844?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1192517841&sr=8-1   So just to verify,     I can buy two of those listed above and install them, and i will also leave my 2x512MB in, so thats 3gb in total. That should be ok right?   And if so, how do i install them, i know how to slide them in/out etc...But do they need to go in in any random order? Do i need to uninstall drivers for them? Do i need to reinstall drivers? etc...

beachbumfromoz · Answer

Go for the max LOL   Love my Inspiron 530 and with the cool stuff in vista the more RAM the better   Col

PETER345 · Answer

@CrazyJoss wrote:

Thanks for the helpful replies :)

Ok, so ive found this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-ValueRAM-667MHz-DDR2-Non-ECC/dp/B0009JR82U/ref=pd_bbs_1/026-0309936-3334844?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1192517841&sr=8-1

So just to verify,

I can buy two of those listed above and install them, and i will also leave my 2x512MB in, so thats 3gb in total. That should be ok right?

And if so, how do i install them, i know how to slide them in/out etc...But do they need to go in in any random order? Do i need to uninstall drivers for them? Do i need to reinstall drivers? etc...

That should work. I've used KVR without problem in a 9200. Others seem partial to crucial as mentioned already. Make sure you test the memory and can return it if it doesn't work.

Peter

ae38cb5bb8b0410 · Answer

It's not that I'm partial to Crucial but I don't know if Kingston is guaranteed to be compatible. At least the specs are there to compare the two.:smileyhappy:

PETER345 · Answer

Many people are explicitly partial to crucial here. That may not be a bad idea for people who want/need the guarantee. I never tried them because generally they are a bit more expensive. Peter

mysticalriver · Answer

Hey pete When I got my ram I just left it where it was and slid in the other two not any any particular order and the pc will do everything else. No worries go for it lol..you definatly see a performance upgrade.

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RAM upgrade for E520

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