Discussion
I have a 1 year old Dell computer and would like to upgrade it with some more RAM.
I opened the Dell up last night and could not for the life of me see any spare sockets for RAM. There was only one and that was occupied with the 512 I have in there at present.
What are my options? Do I have to sell the 512 and replace it with a 1024 or 2048 or can I buy a new RAM and attached it to the machine another way?
edited: I can not count!
I opened the Dell up last night and could not for the life of me see any spare sockets for RAM. There was only one and that was occupied with the 512 I have in there at present.
What are my options? Do I have to sell the 512 and replace it with a 1024 or 2048 or can I buy a new RAM and attached it to the machine another way?
edited: I can not count!
Edited by hoddo on Wednesday 31st January 11:52
Firstly I find it hard to believe that a one year old machine, even a dell, has only one memory slot! Most unusual. However, I am not in a position to argue the point as I cant see inside your machine. If, as you say, it does have only one slot then sadly the only choice you have is to sell/dispose of the existing module and buy another with a greater capacity.
hoddo said:
Hay I am in no way a computer expert.
I presume that I only have one slot as there are no more next to the slot where the 512 is located. Can RAM be installed anywhere else other than next to existing RAM slots?
I presume that I only have one slot as there are no more next to the slot where the 512 is located. Can RAM be installed anywhere else other than next to existing RAM slots?
I cant say that I have seen a motherboard with memory slots anywhere other than next to each other, but thats not to say they dont exist. Your best bet is to look at the motherboard manual(if it came with one) this will tell you the number of memory slots, there location and what type of RAM they take. If it didnt come with a manual then try contacting Dells support line or look on their website for your model. Ram slots usually come in pairs so you will have either two or four (sometimes more). They are about 12cm long and about 1.5cm wide and have a clip at each end which pushes out and down towards the motherboard to release the memory module. The memory cards themselves are of a simillar length but about 2cm wide and stick out vertically from the slot and have a variety of chips inserted in them. They are usually located quite close to the processor. It may be that you have mistaken some other kind of slot for memory slot like an AGP or PCIE (not likely I know).
road2ruin said:
hoddo said:
Hay I am in no way a computer expert.
I presume that I only have one slot as there are no more next to the slot where the 512 is located. Can RAM be installed anywhere else other than next to existing RAM slots?
I presume that I only have one slot as there are no more next to the slot where the 512 is located. Can RAM be installed anywhere else other than next to existing RAM slots?
I cant say that I have seen a motherboard with memory slots anywhere other than next to each other, but thats not to say they dont exist. Your best bet is to look at the motherboard manual(if it came with one) this will tell you the number of memory slots, there location and what type of RAM they take. If it didnt come with a manual then try contacting Dells support line or look on their website for your model. Ram slots usually come in pairs so you will have either two or four (sometimes more). They are about 12cm long and about 1.5cm wide and have a clip at each end which pushes out and down towards the motherboard to release the memory module. The memory cards themselves are of a simillar length but about 2cm wide and stick out vertically from the slot and have a variety of chips inserted in them. They are usually located quite close to the processor. It may be that you have mistaken some other kind of slot for memory slot like an AGP or PCIE (not likely I know).
Thanks - This has confirmed my initial fears. There is only one.
Your description does match exactly what i thought to be a RAM slot and I am sure there is only one (I will check tonight and post a picture if its true) unlike my old 2x computers.
IF there is only 1x slot what are my options?
www.crucial.com/uk/
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
pdV6 said:
www.crucial.com/uk/
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
You'll probably find the stick in the Dell has a Crucial sticker on it
Both my XPS Gen 2 and M1710 do. They are very reasonably priced and good customer service. ThePassenger said:
pdV6 said:
www.crucial.com/uk/
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
You'll probably find the stick in the Dell has a Crucial sticker on it
Both my XPS Gen 2 and M1710 do. They are very reasonably priced and good customer service.I can recommend crucial. Very efficient service and their chips came faster then my pizza.
ThePassenger said:
pdV6 said:
www.crucial.com/uk/
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
You'll probably find the stick in the Dell has a Crucial sticker on it
Both my XPS Gen 2 and M1710 do. They are very reasonably priced and good customer service.Cheaper models use Kingston.
Podie said:
ThePassenger said:
pdV6 said:
www.crucial.com/uk/
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
You'll probably find the stick in the Dell has a Crucial sticker on it
Both my XPS Gen 2 and M1710 do. They are very reasonably priced and good customer service.Cheaper models use Kingston.
True, although Kingston themselves are not a bad brand.
ThePassenger said:
Podie said:
ThePassenger said:
pdV6 said:
www.crucial.com/uk/
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
You'll probably find the stick in the Dell has a Crucial sticker on it
Both my XPS Gen 2 and M1710 do. They are very reasonably priced and good customer service.Cheaper models use Kingston.
True, although Kingston themselves are not a bad brand.
Kingston are very good, but Crucial are the league above... but not quite Premiership (like Corsair)
pdV6 said:
www.crucial.com/uk/
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
Seriously - use their memory selector tool because (a) it will get it right and (b) if it doesn't, they'll replace it FOC.
Crucial are excellent; I've had memory from them fail years after I've bought it and they've happily replaced it FOC.
Thanks for this pdV6. I wiil take a look at it this weekend. I meant to get round to opening the Dell up but have been away with work.
Thanks for your help with this chaps.
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