Baaaaramyou...no wait... RAM

 

Have been looking around to buy ram. Need to do it on the cheap (as much as possible) to keep me going for 6-12months before upgrading my whole rig.

Ive been putting up with 1gig for too long and wanted to upgrade to 2gig.

I dont want to do anything fancy with it (no overclocking, etc).

Found the ram I wanted, was fairly sure it would work ok but stupid me asked the sales guy if it would be compatable....

 

My computer:

IBM ThinkCentre M50 8188-32M.

It originally came with 2x256mb pc2700 cl2.5 DDR (ibm part nos 31p9121) but has been running 2x512mb PC3200 DDR400 (ocz part nos ocz4001024v25dc-k) dual channel kit for well over 12 months.

 

Im looking at Corsair Value Select 2Gb PC3200 DDR400 C3 Dual Channel Kit which appears to be the same thing I am currently using spec wise (except 2x1gig), therefore it should work AFAIK - BUT IM NOT A TECH HEAD ........so...... anyone got any idea if this ram is compatable with my current pc?

 

The sales guy that I emailed wasnt confident, and said he would not be comfortable selling me this ram as IBM pcs can have compatability issues with ram that is not officially supported - at least he is honest rather than pushing for a sale. That said this place does not offer refunds/exchange for incompatable hardware.

 

 

Its not easy to find 'cheap' older ram!

Try and get in contact with IBM support to see if they have a list of supported ram, failing that check your motherboard manual if you have one.

 

You can get ram a bit cheaper than that too, $55 per 1GB stick, though its only generic stuff.

 

You could just grab a 1GB stick too and keep using the 2x512 sticks (unless theres only 2 ram slots or something). While it won't be the ideal option, could save you $100~

Its not easy to find 'cheap' older ram!

 

I think this wraps it up mate.

 

If your currently running ddr400(pc3200) then any RAM that is rated at this 'should' work. Your best bet is looking here

Generic will do me fine, but Ive had trouble finding what I want within my specs (ie compatible) being that I dont really know wtf Im looking at lol..

 

IBM dont offer support as the machine is too old, however factory options/upgrades included pc3200 type ram factory upgrades listed here

I would say it wouldn't be an issue. If the OCZ stuff works then anything should work.

 

Worst case scenario is buy 1 stick of 1GB generic stuff and whack it in with what you already have and see if it works. $55~.

 

I could have given you my ram, but I got outbid on the stuff I wanted to buy last night

What you do is walk into the store, rest your arm on the counter, lean in real close. Look the sales guy right in the eye and exclaim;

"One gig of generic DDR400 RAM m'boy, and make it snappy."

 

Depending of how many ram slots you have left, you could ask for this in 2x512 or not.

lol tubby ocau confuses and scares me The link doesnt go anywhere for me, even though I registered.

 

Ill see what I can find in generic ram but I didnt have much luck finding generic stuff that had the same specs as my current ram (staticice.com.au)

 

PC has 4 slots but ive only ever used 2. dual channel i believe.

 

Currently running 2x512mb sticks.

 

 

Edit--> voila?

Does dual ram have to be run in pairs to function?

Nevermind there was generic ram in my specs from what i can tell. the previous one I was looking at on this site was alot higher mhz genric 1gb

Just pull out your 512 stick and take it to the computer shop...easy.....

 

I just grabbed another 1gb ddr400 on the way home...gone from 512 ram to 2gig---boy does this thing crank along now...zoom zoom..

Edited October 19, 200717 yr by Gunner_downer