Upgrade Dell Dimension 8300 with Mushkin Memory?

[wouterinspired]

Hi guys!
I've been wanting to upgrade the memory of my old Dell Dimension 8300 for a while now, and using the memory tool from Crucial I get some advice on what is compatible. However, I also hear good stories about Mushkin memory, and as it turns out a webstore from my country sells them for a very good price. So my question is, what is important when looking at compatibility? The Mushkin Ram I laid my eyes on (Mushkin 1 GB DDR-333, 990980) has the right Clockspeed, Frequency etc, so seems fine. However I also hear stories about Dell being picky when it comes to accepting new hardware. (Also I can never find if this specific RAM is ECC or not, as I think the Dell will only eat non-ecc)

Does anybode know about this specific case?

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it! =)

 

[hang-the-9]

Many OEM computers (Dell, IBM/Lenovo/, HP) have memory compatibility, hm.. not "issues" really, but they are more picky than a regular motherboard you'd buy for a home built system.

If you want to avoid issues, you should get either the Crucial RAM that is listed as working for your model or see if Mushkin has a compatibility chart that shows your model as being tested.

The Mushkin RAM may work just fine, it may work but with a BIOS update, it may not work. It may work for other people but not for you also due to some small differences in the RAM or motherboard.

 

[Supahos]

OEM machines in general are terrible when trying to upgrade them. I would pick up exactly what looks like it has been proven to work and hope for best, anytime you get to guessing with an OEM rig you'll be wrong at least half the time. If it were a custom rig I would say go for it, I don't think I would with a dell

by the way doesn't dell stand for "Doesn't Ever Last Long?"

 

[wouterinspired]

Thanks for your help! Some crucial memory is on it's way right now! It says it's a guaranteed match, so I think we'll be alright. Thanks again for your input, and for convincing me not to save a few bucks and maybe buy ram that isn't any good.. Too bad OEM systems have to be such a pain in the ass, buy hey it's all I've got right now.

Bye!