Dell computer needs more ram, Why does it cost so much?

Question

I have a Dell Computer that is 5 years old. I went into Staples, the guy didnt know anything about it but sold me the wrong Memory. Cost 39.00. I took it back, looked up on dell that it needs buss memory and I have to buy it in pairs and upgrade the bios??? Why cant I get the cheap stuff and pop it in?

Answer 1

I have always had good luck shopping on line at a place called "all 4 memory dot com" their website is http://www.all4memory.com
Not only do they have the best prices that I've found, but they have an on line scanner that will check your system and identify how much RAM you have installed, what type it is, how much and what kind you can install. The RAM is guaranteed to work in your system and they will replace it if it ever goes bad. All that and free shipping to boot. If you wand overnight delivery that's an extra 8 bucks.

Good Luck,
Captain Computer

Answer 2

Your computer uses Rambus memory (or RDRAM). This type of memory was pushed by manufacturers about four or five years ago because it was heavily subsidized by Intel. It was supposed to be the next big thing, but lost out to DDR memory (the kind you probably bought at Staples). Since very few computers use it anymore, production is very limited and prices are steep. If you insist on upgrading the memory, you will pay through the nose buying it new, but you might be able to find some used memory on eBay. The memory must be installed in pairs simply because that is the design, so no matter where you buy from you will need two sticks that are exactly the same.

In my opinion, though, it's probably going to be too expensive to upgrade. Replacing the motherboard leads to a whole host of other issues. First, it's a daunting task for all but the do-it-yourself geeks. Second, if you replace the motherboard, your license to use Windows becomes invalid so you would need to repurchase Windows.

As you can see, there are a huge amount of complications. You should really consider a new computer.

Answer 3

posting a little more information (like model number) will help with a more specific response. I do not know why you would need to buy it in pairs unless you are trying to run dual channel memory which will make it run faster. EDO memory is the last memory that I know of that required to be run in pairs and it has not been used for many years now. If you post some more specifics, I can help you further.
BTW, first mistake was buying the memory at staples. Once you figure out the exact memory you need, check out www.pricewatch.com for who has the memory the cheapest
Good luck

Answer 4

I think you mean Rambus memory? It's is also called RDRAM.
This is a good site to find many types of memory.
http://www.memoryx.net
You can search for memory for Dells, Gateways, Macs, etc. You can also use the search in the top right to search for you memory model number or memory type it will show it and other memory sizes of that type. Try "Dell RDRAM".
Also can try Ebay.

Pay good attention to pairs and money spent. For example I had someone with 2x64mb RDRAM sticks. and room for two more. I found that same memory on MemoryX and could buy two more 64mb sticks at the same speed and double his memory space for 40$+sh. for total 256mb (Just for surfing internet playing flash games) However if I wanted him to have 512mb total, the sticks I'd have to buy, the incompatible speeds of said available sticks, etc in order to keep pairs I'd be spending 140$+ and may end up not be able to use the current sticks of RAM. Just depends on your situation and what you are looking for.

Answer 5

Well first off...

Memory comes in all shapes and sizes and you need the right kind to work with your pc

Second...

Items in the tech industry become expensive in spurts. A few years back Processors were really expensive and memory was like the hard-drive (cost wise: cheap), now Memory is expensive and processors and hard-drives are cheap. in teh mid 90's Hard-drives were expensive. So it just depends on the time period.

Answer 6

you will could pass to Dell's website then click on help in the nicely suited precise corner. enter your provider tag type that's placed in the returned of your pc then seem for memory improve. it is going to instruct the max memory and form you like. you do no longer could purchase it from Dell. pass to Tiger Direct or memory for much less. do in basic terms a seek for it.

Answer 7

If its RAMbus memory, dont buy any, its a dead end purchase, for the price you pay for a pair to say to 512MB, you can more or less buy a new board/processor and DDR memory for that price.

Answer 8

rambus memory?? oh boy, you are in for it. it would be cheaper to build a new computer than to buy 2 gigs of rambus ram.

rambus is a failed Intel experiment, it was supposed to be the next standard in memory, but DDR won.

Answer 9

Because thats the way it is. You need the memory that works in your old computer. If you want to use the less expensive RAM, then change your motherboard.

Answer 10

should be DDR RAM..If you dont have boot problems , or lots of blue screen of death! then leave it alone...now for the ram ..look up price grabber. they have good deals there.. and yes ram for your pc is about 100.00 each for 512mb..o ya also try compusa.com