So, how do I upgrade a Dell?

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I need some help upgrading my PC. Its a Dell XPS 600 (about 18 months old). Its a Dell because at the time I had no idea how to build one myself. Now I want to upgrade its RAM to 3GB (currently at 1GB).

What would you recommend I get? What should I know beforehand? What will I need?

My Specs (just in case):
-Intel Pentium D CPU 3.0GHz
-1GB RAM
-Windows XP Professional
-nVidia GeForce 7900GS
-150GB HDD

If anyone can help me out here I'd greatly appreciate it.
 
Well, just so you know, the effectiveness of RAM decreases exponentially as you gain more..2GB will suffice for almost everything.

Are you unsure on how to install the RAM, or unsure of what else to get, or what kind to get?

What kind of motherboard do you have by the way?
 
I agree with Lawliet... some people believe that stuffing their computers with the most RAM that it can hold will make it "super-fast" but most people's computer-usage doesn't even need it.. just a waste of money. You'd be better of getting another stick of 1gb.

According to Dell's site, your RAM is DDR2 667/PC2 5300 (to make sure, check using CPU-Z).
Some basic documentation for your computer can be found here.
And you can buy some RAM of the type I mentioned earlier here.
btw, I'm not sure if mixing brands of RAM will affect anything. afaik, it'll work fine. If that's not the case, you can probably buy 2 sticks of 1gb ram from newegg to replace the stock RAM in your computer. (The ram on Dell's site is ridiculously overpriced...)
 
Also, if you can, you should get a core 2 duo from intel, as long as you can spare the money anyway. Do not bother with an intel core 2 quad, most computers cannot utilize them yet.
 
[quote1199397364=Lawliet]
Also, if you can, you should get a core 2 duo from intel, as long as you can spare the money anyway. Do not bother with an intel core 2 quad, most computers cannot utilize them yet.
[/quote1199397364]


Be warned about upgrading your CPU, you might need a new Mobo (Mother Board) to support it depending on the Mobo you have now from Dell. And pretty much all Namebrand computers (Dell, HP, Sony) can't fit a new motherboards into it, you'll need to get a new case aswell.

Have fun opening up the Dell too, Dells are notorious for having horrible cases. -_-
 
[quote1199397574=SoN]
I need some help upgrading my PC. Its a Dell XPS 600 (about 18 months old). Its a Dell because at the time I had no idea how to build one myself. Now I want to upgrade its RAM to 3GB (currently at 1GB).

What would you recommend I get? What should I know beforehand? What will I need?

My Specs (just in case):
-Intel Pentium D CPU 3.0GHz
-1GB RAM
-Windows XP Professional
-nVidia GeForce 7900GS
-150GB HDD

If anyone can help me out here I'd greatly appreciate it.
[/quote1199397574]


Depends on what you really want to spend.

I would just top it off at 2gb. If you can get a similar speed/timing as the ram in your computer great.

If not, just grab a 2gb set from new egg, or some other place. They shouldn't be expensive for that older speed.

Your video card might be nice to upgrade.

Other than that, thats about the extent of what I would do, untill a complete rebuild.

You could check to see what other CPU's your motherboard supports, and see whats the fastest out there for it. Some older cpu's could be very cheap now in the used market.
 
Thanks for all the info :) I'm gonna stick with 2GB, sounds like the better deal.

[quote1199405503=omgooses]
I agree with Lawliet... some people believe that stuffing their computers with the most RAM that it can hold will make it "super-fast" but most people's computer-usage doesn't even need it.. just a waste of money. You'd be better of getting another stick of 1gb.

According to Dell's site, your RAM is DDR2 667/PC2 5300 (to make sure, check using CPU-Z).
Some basic documentation for your computer can be found here.
And you can buy some RAM of the type I mentioned earlier here.
btw, I'm not sure if mixing brands of RAM will affect anything. afaik, it'll work fine. If that's not the case, you can probably buy 2 sticks of 1gb ram from newegg to replace the stock RAM in your computer. (The ram on Dell's site is ridiculously overpriced...)
[/quote1199405503]
Just checked my RAM. Max Bandwidth is PC2-4300, which would make it DDR2 533, right? I should buy [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144176]this[/link] then?

Also, Im gonna stick with my current processor, cause I just don't have the money for a new one. As for my graphics card, Im already saving up for when the 9 series is released in February. Hopefully they'll be a price drop on the 8 series and I'll be able to get one.
 
Herm, well, that does make sense..but if I were you I would get a second opinion. As for the gfx card, how much are you thinking of spending?
 
start with more memory, if you have a DDR 2 board DO NOT get Memory Power brand memory, most dells don't like it If you really want upgrades, get a new Motherboard, a Mini ATX will fit in your old case and many times the old processor will fit also. your graphics card seems good.
 
Wait a sec. According to my manual, my PC suppourts both 533 and 667MHz DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM. Does that mean I could remove my current 1GB of DDR2 533 and in its place install 2GB of DDR2 667 RAM? Or would I have to get a new Mobo alltogether?
 
[quote1199504405=SoN]
Wait a sec. According to my manual, my PC suppourts both 533 and 667MHz DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM. Does that mean I could remove my current 1GB of DDR2 533 and in its place install 2GB of DDR2 667 RAM? Or would I have to get a new Mobo alltogether?
[/quote1199504405]

ya u can do that. for memory i recomend ocz, corsair, or patriot
 
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