Optiplex 960 Memory requirements?

"Could I install two (2) from Crucial and only 2G sticks in matched pairs at 800MHz?"

800MHz will be fine.

"Was hoping to increase my RAM by more than just Doubling."

You have 2x2GB and want to add 2x2GB ... what do you mean "more than doubling" ... adding more than 8GB of RAM?  The Intel Q45 chipset in the 960 supports a maximum of 16GB of RAM, and Crucial also says it will take 16GB, so you could upgrade with 2x4GB modules, giving you a total of 12GB.  8GB is probably the maximum that Dell supports on it, but you will likely need to update your BIOS in order to use more than Dell's spec'd 8GB or larger than 2GB DIMMs.

http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/Dell-memory/OptiPlex/OptiPlex+960+Series-upgrades.html
http://ark.intel.com/products/36527/82Q45-Graphics-and-Memory-Controller-Hub

"Also could a SSD be used as additional RAM?"

No, and you wouldn't want to.

"As I had mentioned in my original post on this, "I am not any sort of a computer wizard . ." and do not know about chips sets and what the limits are on RAM."

You don't have to ... I've told you what you need to know.

"Dell's systems being sensitive on matching pairs and if it, the computer settings, does not like what you install it will revert to the 667MHz and not remain at the 800."

If you use 800MHz memory that meets the [largely undocumented] specs from Dell/Intel (restrictions and limitations can be due to restrictions imposed by EITHER company), then it should run at 800MHz, according to the docs for the 960:

http://www.dell.com/downloads/emea/edb/Opti_960_Tech_Guidebook_July_1_2009_Sustaining.pdf

"One man had this issue with his computer and he even, from what I understood, was using the same manufacturer as his original Memory sticks yet still went down to the lower speed."

This could have happened for a number of reasons (including by design, taking into account any or all of the following:  timing, density, layout, configuration, capacity, etc.).

As I had mentioned in my original post on this, "I am not any sort of a computer wizard . ." and do not know about chips sets and what the limits are on RAM. Have learned a bit about Dell's systems being sensitive on matching pairs and if it, the computer settings, does not like what you install it will revert to the 667MHz and not remain at the 800. One man had this issue with his computer and he even, from what I understood, was using the same manufacturer as his original Memory sticks yet still went down to the lower speed.

"RDUNNILL,"

I understand DELL is just wanting to sell their computers, I am wanting to understand what takes place and maybe venture into the unknown, and with mostly DELL employees being on here they are just assisting in promoting DELL and not giving what we can do with our systems.

I was thinking of getting a small SSD that would work with a DELL setup and partition enough to give me as much RAM as would be needed to improve the performance. Use the SSD to replace the system use of the H/D if it gets short on RAM. As some have said the video card will take over some of your RAM if it needs it, like High Definition requires a bit more and if the video card does not have enough. I do not remember what it is called, cache, my mind is just a total blank at this time.

Thanks for your input . .

I have seen some using 960 MT you are 960 SFF; what do those letters mean? I do not see any thing such as that on my system. I actually purchased this one from NewEgg and really like it.

Just one issue with it as it only has two (2) power plugs for SATA and has four (4) data plugs for SATA drives. Presently have a DVD R/W and a 250Gig H/D and want to install my '1T Green W/D H/D.' Because there is not a floppy drive may I remove the connector for that drive and put a SATA power plug in there? I am a Journeyman Electronics Techy with over 64 years experience and Areo Space Soldering Certified.

I used an OptiPlex 960 SFF with Q9650, 8gb of RAM and a 240gb Samsung 840 SSD; it was very quick.

I don't think 667Mhz memory will make much of a difference in performance over 800Mhz.

Just went to the PDF that "theflash 1932" had sent in one of the posts and "dummy ME" thinking it was some sort of secret function abbreviation. Now I know . . DUH!!

Now offff to do some reading and maybe some more learning . . .

I found it in a Microsoft PC recycle pile and "adopted it" for the duration of my contracting assignment. It's a "Small Form Factor," having only two instead of four expansion slots and a laptop-style optical disk drive.

"theflash1932,"

Where I mentioned not fully understanding all of the abbreviations is due to not having a formal education on computers, thank you for this post with the explanations. Have been reading the PDF you so graciously provided with much of the technical information that is needed to understand much of what I am getting into at this time. I like to experiment and venture into the unknown testing myself as well as my system, as long as it does not cost me too much. That is also a factor to keep me inline. I hope any comments made have not been offensive, it so I do apologize.

I hope any comments made have not been offensive, it so I do apologize.

No need ... nothing offensive at all.