RESOLVED Which one?

You will have to actually look inside the computer to find out how many sticks you have and what brand they are. Most Dells that I have worked on had either Nanya or Infineon memory. It is best to find out the specs on what you currently have before buying new if you plan on using your current memory in conjunction with new. For example, your machine may be capable of using PC3200, but you may only have PC2700. So, if you bought PC3200 it would work, but only run at a PC2700 speed. So in this example, there really would not be any point in buying PC3200, unless it was actually cheaper. Why don't you look inside and tell us what your current RAM is, and also post your Dell model number.

You can also use Everest to find out info on your current RAM. Go into Motherboard > SPD for this info.

I've never opened up a computer before and I think the Dimension 8400 opens up differently so how do I do that?

It says 200 mhz but the upgradememory site either gives you the choice of 400 mhz or 533 mhz. Im confused.

Does the upgrade site mention DDR or DDR2?

Check out the configurators and scanners in this thread.
http://www.techsupportforum.com/har...tips-tricks/132698-before-you-buy-memory.html

Its ddr2 and also I took a stick out and look at the sticker and found out that I have two sticks that are each 512mb. The model number is PC2-3200U-333-11-B0 Also if I upgrade would I need a better power supply?

RAM does not need a PSU upgrade. In this case you want DDR2, and DDR2 400 or DDR2 533 will both work. Just be careful to get DDR2 and not DDR. DDR400 is not the same as DDR2 400, and you want the DDR2 400 version.

512MB 240 Pin DDR-2 533MHz (PC2-4200) 512MB-078161-1 US $57.03
512MB 240 Pin DDR-2 400MHz (PC2-3200) 512MB-073826-1 US $57.03

Those are the two options I have with upgradememory.com and they say that their memory is guarenteed to work so would I choose the second choice for 512MB?

What processor do you have? Use CPU-Z if you don't know.
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Intel Pentium 4 530.

Get DDR2 400 PC2 3200.

What brand of RAM would you be buying from that site? If it's generic, I would check www.crucial.com, and see what their price is. I'm not big on generic memory, especialy if I can get good name brand stuff for about the same, or maybe even less.

The sticks in there right now are made by Micron Technology.

I have another question. Does the ram only have to be the same for 2 of the 4 slots or can I have like this configuration:
512MB
512MB
1GB
instead of this?
512MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
allowing for a future upgrade?

You can, but you really won't need more than 2 GB, as Windows won't be able to utilize it.

So which place should I buy ram from? is upgradememory.com fine?

You can get this RAM from pretty much any place.

Here is a kit of kingston RAM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144166

You will want to make sure you have RAM that is compatible with your motherboard or computer.
http://www.kingston.com/

TheMatt said:

You can get this RAM from pretty much any place.

Here is a kit of kingston RAM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144166

You will want to make sure you have RAM that is compatible with your motherboard or computer.
http://www.kingston.com/

Click to expand...

Thanks for your help that the exact one I purchased and I installed it and it works fine! (First time ever installing RAM)

You're welcome. Glad you successfully installed it.