Dell Ram Upgrade help...

[DarknessDragonm2k]

I have a Dell Optiplex GX400, from around 2001... I am running on 256 rdram... and I was looking to purchase some more ram to upgrade to a gig. I wanted to know if I could use any 256 rdram I wanted? I went to dell to buy three kingston 256 rdram modules and they were like 170$ a piece! So needless to say I realized I needed to get some new options. However I am just not sure if I can just place any 256 rdram in my dell, and dell won't tell me because they don't wanna sell anything to you but the kingston expensive stuff. Can I get some help? Any specific sites I should buy my ram from where its cheap but works well?

[rightcoast]

You can go to www.crucial.com to find compatible RAM for that mobo, and use that info to buy somewhere cheaper, like www.newegg.com

[Panama Red]

Ouch! The standard lament of those blessed (cursed?) with RDRAM. Must be purchased/installed in pairs and availabilty is becoming more and more limited. Plus the pickiness of a Dell. It's pretty much a crapshoot unless you buy from Dell.

[glc]

Crucial does not sell RDRAM. RDRAM must be installed in pairs, you do not have a single 256 in there, you have a pair of 128's.

Here is compatible memory, and these guys are about the cheapest out there for RDRAM that's guaranteed compatible.

http://www.memoryx.net/optiplexgx400.html

Looks like that requires ECC, which means that not just any old RDRAM will work. You are looking at a very expensive upgrade, if you want a gig you are looking at $500. You can darn near buy a new case, motherboard, processor, and a gig of DDR ram for that kind of dough.

[DarknessDragonm2k]

Wow guys thanks for all of the information, this surely will help me out. Damn, I guess I am cursed by the rdram... :(

Is there any way of getting it any cheaper from some place?

[rightcoast]

I read right over the part where he said rdram.
My bad :o

GLC's link is the best you'll find, sorry. I hate rdram too...it's fast but man so pricey...

[DarknessDragonm2k]

I have another choice I looked up, was wondering if you guys could maybe check this out and tell me if you think it is compatible with my GX400 Dell.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-150-311&depa=0

[Rebel_526]

I have a GX400 that came out of our library. Been sitting since last year because the school district won't cough up the cash to replace it (someone stole ONE of the sticks :rolleyes: ). I'm glad the industry has moved away from RDRAM ;)

[Cricket]

Go to the SimpleTech (http://www.simpletech.com/) web site and use the Upgrade Navigator to find compatible RDRAM for your DELL. If your DELL isn't listed, the RDRAM may not be compatible.

:) Cricket

[glc]

The generic SimpleTech may or may not work. The Simpletech configurator specifies specific 2 module kits. That Newegg ram is not a whole heck of a lot cheaper than the "right" stuff at memoryx.net.