Trying to upgrade memory.

I am looking to upgrade anyone have any suggestions.

Can I use PC2-4200 (DDR2-533) read that i will still be at 400mhz mixed with my memory already installed. Hear that mushkin is one of the best? Can i slap in 2(256mb)sticks or is it good to double e.g. 2(512mb). Will 1.5gb make my computer surfing quicker? Thanks



Computer Identification Below:



Manufacturer Dell Inc.

Model Dimension 8400

Processors (1) x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4

GenuineIntel

Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 2

Motherboard Identification



Manufacturer Dell Inc.

BIOS DELL - 7

Product Number 0J3492

Memory Identification



Number of Slots 4 (2 currently in use)

Installed RAM 510MB

Maximum RAM 4096MB

Front Side Buss 800Mhz

CHANNEL A DIMM 0 256MB DIMM 400Mhz (PC3200) Unknown Synchronous

CHANNEL B DIMM 0 256MB DIMM 400Mhz (PC3200) Unknown Synchronous

From what I see, you are not currently using DDR instead of DDR2. The amount of pins differs and so does the size.



Your specs:



Basic specs for Dell Dimension 8400

Processor-- Intel Pentium 4 560 (3 GHz)

RAM installed-- 512 MB DDR SDRAM

Cache size - type-- 1 MB L2 cache

Hard drive-- 80 GB Standard

2nd hard drive-- 160 GB None

CD / DVD drive-- DVD+RW IDE

2nd optical storage type-- None

Monitor type - technology - form factor-- CRT Display

Display (projector) diagonal size-- 17 in

Viewable screen size-- 16 in

Video RAM installed-- 128 MB

Graphics processor-- ATI Radeon X300

Audio output-- Integrated Sound card

Cabinet form factor-- Mini tower

Dimensions (W x D x H)-- 7.1 in x 17.6 in x 16.7 in

OS provided-- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition



Source: Cnet



JAN

Are you saying that I would have to remove the memory I got?

I didnt notice that they werent ddr2 i assumed that they were. Will 240pin ddr2 be in conflict with my current memory installation? I did several scans online for memory upgrading purposes. Was given the option of pc2 4200 ddr2 533mhz over and over though...

No. If you already have DDR installed, then DDR2 would simply not fit. You would need to add more memory of DDR-type. I really do not know why you are shown the option of being able to upgrade with DDR2. Strange..



JAN

Is there a way to actually distinguish wether or not im running ddr or ddr2?

as far as i know, the bottom one is DDR, and the upper one is ddr2.

so i think ull have to start counting pinns

Well you could have a board with DDR and DDR2 slots ... but you still be limited to a single type of memory

I just did a system scan through crucial..

and they guarantee that the listings provided will work on my computer ..



1GB CT389516 DDR2 PC2-4200 ?CL=4 ?UNBUFFERED ?NON-ECC ?DDR2-533 ?1.8V ?128Meg x 64