Computer help forum: IBM Netvista 8305-m42 memory upgrade

No, there's really not any particular brand that needs to be installed, just so long as the memory conforms to the 184-pin DDR spec, you should be fine.

Not all RAM is created equal of course. There's a fair bit of diversity just within DDR RAM. There's RAM for different FSB speeds, and even RAM with lower or higher latency settings. Unless you're a real hardcore gamer, and that seems unlikely given your system specs, I wouldn't really worry about that too much. Just buy some quality RAM from a reputable source -- I'd suggest either NewEgg or direct from Micron's RAM producing subsidiary Crucial -- and make sure it either matches or exceeds what you currently have. So if you currently have say DDR266 RAM, make sure you don't buy anything slower than DDR266 RAM. Faster isn't a problem so much as slower is.

The video card shouldn't really be a problem either. There is a small potential problem with a voltage mismatch of the card and slot, but honestly I don't know that I've ever come across someone who's had that problem.

Just remember that there's a lot of truth in the saying, "You get what you pay for," with electronics. If one video card or RAM module seems significantly cheaper than all the others, and there's no rebate or anything like that to explain it... Be suspicious. There are really good deals to be had sometimes, but the majority of the time that lower price comes at the expense of quality.