Dimension 3000 Memory Upgrade

ohwose

To buy memory that's certified to work in the 3000, has a lifetime warranty,free S&H on orders of $40+, go HERE

The maximum memory the Dimension 3000 supports is 2gb [2 x 1gb modules].

If the DDR memory modules are not installed in matched pairs, the computer will operate, but with a slight reduction in PERFORMANCE

Bev.

Thank you for your response.  If you don't mind I have another question.

If I have 512mb right now and the max is 2 gb, should I purchase 3 more 512mb memory modules to bring it up to 2gb

Thanks for your help

ohwose

Yes, adding an additional 3 x 512mb modules to the exsisting 1 x 512mb module, would be fine and give you 2gb of memory.

Bev.

Ps. Edited for typo.

According to the manual, the 3000 mainboard has only two memory slots, so your path to 2gb is to buy two 1gb DIMMs, preferably in a matched kit.

rdunnill

You are right, I stand corrected.      :emotion-10:

Bev.

Would that mean that I would have to remove the 512mb module and then instal the two 1gb modules. 

According to the manual, the 3000 mainboard has only two memory slots, so your path to 2gb is to buy two 1gb DIMMs, preferably in a matched kit.

Would that mean that I would have to remove the 512mb module and then instal the two 1gb modules.

ohwose

Yes, it does,  as 'rdunnill' posted, for 2gb of RAM, you would need to buy 2 x 1gb modules.

Bev.

Hi,

I have the same computer dell dimension 3000 and have 512mb.  If I wanted to add a 1G mem card into the other slot would that bring me up to 1.5g of memory? and would it be running at that full amount?  Or would it be better to just get another 512mb to bring me to an even 1g.  thanks

tangerine3 

First you should check if there's one 512mb, or two 256mb modules installed in the Dimension 3000, to find out, you can either open case, or check in the system setup [BIOS].

Bev.

If it is a single 512, then you can add a 1 GB, but it will be running single channel instead of dual channel which is just a bit of a performance hit.  If it is two 256MB sticks, then adding the 1 GB will give you 1.25GB which is still decent enough and a significant performance improvement from 512 MB.

What CPU do you have?  If it is a celeron, then your memory is probably PC-2700.

I would buy PC-3200 RAM from Crucial anyway because I think that it is the same price.

David

I used a matched pair of GSKILL generic PC3200 sticks in my 2350 and they worked fine. Newegg has them for about $65.

After reading a little bit more about mixing memory I need some clarification.  If I buy a 1g mem module and it is also PC3200 will my computer be running 1.5 or will it default to the lowest memory size and not even recognize the new 1G mem module?  Or does it have nothing to do with the size of the memory but the PC3200 vs. a lower PC number?  In other words what make the computer default to a lower running speed/memory module?

I opened it up and it has 2 slots.  One 512mg memory card in one and one slot empty.  The 512 mem in it now is PC3200, CL3, 400MHz.  If I bought a 1g mem card would it be using both mem cards or just the new 1g card.  Or should I buy another 512 card?  I've read on here that you do not have to have matching memory and i've also read on here that you do, so which answer is it that would give me optimum performance?  Money is an issue so I am not buying 2 matching 1G cards.  I have the Dell Dimension 3000.  Thank you.

You will be running 1.5 GB of PC-3200 memory single channel.  That is a little slower than dual channel.  But it is still a lot better than 512MB.  I actually have a system with two 256 MB sticks and a 512 MB stick for a total of 1 GB.  This is an older machine.  Actually, the one that I am typing from right now.  But it is working just fine.  Tons better than 512 MB.

David

I ended up replacing the 512MB stick with two 1GB sticks.   I did the install (super easy)  Oct/09 and I have been running along smoothly since.