RAM upgrade question

I currently have 512Mb of RAM. Dell is telling me that I can add 1Gb to this and it will speed up my computer quite a bit. Doesn't my processor have more to do with this than RAM? Also, I thought you could only double the amount of RAM. Dell is saying that I can put in a 1Gb stick with my existing 512Mb stick and it will work fine. Just looking for a little clarification and advice.

Thanks all!

 

Your issue is your processor Celeron's are slower than Pentiums. If you get a pentium processor like Pentium 4 then an upgrade in Ram would make some difference but its not worth it unless you are a gamer or if you use high end applications.

 

Adding more memory would help speed up your computer some but to get more speed you would want to upgrade your cpu.

 

Alright, I checked into replacing the processor and that is not going to happen unless I have another computer (in case an accident occurs). So, if I were to take out my 512Mb stick of RAM and install 2 GB of RAM, would I notice a difference in performance? Keep in mind that I do not play alot games. I am mainly interested in programs like ZoneAlarm and stuff not using so much of my RAM. At the least, would adding 2Gb of RAM to my system hurt anything?
If I were to get stupid/brave and decide to swap out my processor, I would assume that any Intel would fit my Mobo. Is this assumption correct? I saw one online for about $1600.00, I do not want to know why someone needs that kind of power. Or do I?

Thanks for the help all,

 

It depends what you use your computer for,I'm guessing you dont play games as you use onboard video,for basic web browsing,emailing,imaging,word processing your comp is fine adding 512 meg of memory will help keep your computer running smoothly when you have a few apps open at the same time but you wont install and think WOW!,2 gigs is just a waste of money you will never use it

For a more general speed up a new cpu is the best way to ge IMHO provided your motherboard will take one or sell it and buy a new computer,changing the cpu isnt that big of a job if you would like to go down that route,it will void your warranty though if it still has one,no all intels wont fit we will have to find out the socket type and the fastest cpu your mobo will take

 

I ordered 512 Mb. I would like to learn more about the processor change. If it is not too terribly expensive. I have Everest, Belarc, and cpuz on my system. Which one will give me the specs you are looking for?

Thanks for the help.

 

you will want to use everest to find both the motherboard and processor, once you get em post em here and the rest of us all will help you out with what you'll need

 

Alrighty then, I think this is the information that you are looking for.

 

upgrade info from your dimension system from support @ dell.com

KEY FEATURES

Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor up to 3GHz with HT Technology or Intel® Celeron® D Processor up to 330 (2.63GHz, 533MHz FSB)

Memory: Up to 1GB (dual channel) Shared1 DDR SDRAM at 400MHz for superior performance (Note: 400MHz memory performs at 333 MHz with 533 FSB processors).

Storage: Ultra ATA EIDE Hard drives up to 160 GB2 to meet your storage needs.

 

as far as memory goes if you have two slots for memory it would not matter what size you put in up to 2gb you could have anywhere from 128mb to 2gb, a 512mb and 1gb stick will work just fine in your dell, however upgrading the processor from a celeron to a p4 would be better solution, i would not invest into a chip with hyperthreading due to your motherboards bus speed of 533 just pick up a p4 with 533 bus speed it'll have the extra juice youll need to speed up processing. celerons are budget chips and perform as such.

 

ack youll also want to figure out what socket type you have, i know that you cant possibly have the newest socket, anyone guess that hes got a 478 socket?? on his board, im not a dell user.