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Desktops forum: How much RAM can I use?

by: engineer331 April 15, 2008 4:54 PM PDT

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How much RAM can I use?

by engineer331 - 4/15/08 4:54 PM

I've got an old Dell Dimension 4300 desktop and am looking to upgrade it's RAM. I know what type it needs (168-Pin SDRAM PC 133), but I'm not sure about the size. According to the specs the system has two slots and will accept 64, 128, 256, and 512 MB sticks. But it also says that the maximum amount of memory is 512.

My question is, does that 512 MB limit refer to each stick, or does it refer to the total system memory? The crucial website claims the system can support 1 GB (as two 512 sticks). Are they mistaken? Also, if the limit does refer only to the size of each individual stick, can I get a 512 to go along with my current 256 stick, or do they have to be the same?

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me out with this.

The system, in case this helps:
Dell Dimension 4300 desktop (circa 2001)
1.5 GHz Pentium 4 processor
256 MB 168-Pin 133 MHz SDRAM (as one 256 stick)


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Buy 1 512MB stick.

by strickjh2005 - 4/15/08 11:12 PM

In Reply to: How much RAM can I use? by engineer331

If the computer boots with both the 256 and 512, then you can do the full GB. If not then having one stick of 512 is better than having two sticks of 256 anyway.

It's safe and meets your needs.

Also you may want to try flashing your bios. If you have a working floppy drive it really is no big deal. It may add more functionality to the motherboard you are using.

Interesting thing about Dell, is that your computer varies from other computers with the same name. The way Dell keeps track of what exactly is in your machine is based on the service tag.

You can type your service tag into Dell's website to give you detailed information about the exact parts in your computer. By researching the specs of your specific motherboard you can track down any issues and problems that are known to be present in the boards as well as any fixes.

Have fun.


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(NT) Thank you strickjh2005

by engineer331 - 4/20/08 10:02 AM

In Reply to: Buy 1 512MB stick. by strickjh2005


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