Question for Computer Buffs...

[Shortie]

We've been down this road on TOB but I have since lost my info and need to refresh my memory (no pun intended).

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook and I'm looking to speed things up a bit. I know the specs for the memory upgrade, but I'm just looking for opinions on brands. Kingston was my first choice, but I am also looking at this item from Crucial:
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT12864AC667

My plan is to get 2 1GB cards.

Is this a reputable source? The price seems reasonable.

Any advice/info would be appreciated.

Meag

[DucPete]

I got Crucial memory a couple years back.   No problems at all. 

Check Pricewatch.com for good deals too. 

[CDawg]

memory's memory...get the cheapest one.  After you install it, run the computer for 1~3 days straight (maybe itunes with visiualize).  Since there are not moving parts in a memory chip, if it will break, then burn-in should break it then you can get your money back or a replaement chip.

[Slide Panda]

Crucial is a name that's been around for some time - so I wouldn't worry about them being a shady operation.

The pricewatch suggestion's a good one for hunting down good prices.

I tend to stick to name brand memory as a personal thing.  But even name brand stuff's pretty inexpensive these days.

[sqweak]

+3 on crucial being a decent name brand.

-1 on "get the cheapest".  stick to the name brands (kingston, crucial, pny, ocz and a few others)

I like dealram over pricewatch.

[vonkeswick]

+3 on crucial being a decent name brand.

-1 on "get the cheapest".  stick to the name brands (kingston, crucial, pny, ocz and a few others)

I like dealram over pricewatch.

+11tyb

don't get the cheapest, there's actually a reason it is cheaper

[darylbowden]

+11tyb

don't get the cheapest, there's actually a reason it is cheaper

Cheap RAM can do all sorts of funky stuff.  Kernel panics, random freezes, all sorts of fun.  Crucial, Kingston, Samsung, these are all good brands and memory is so damn cheap these days, buy as much as your comp can hold.

[Shortie]

I think my comp will be maxed out at 2GB...

At $24 per 1GB card, I just placed my order with Crucial. Should have my stuff tomorrow (Expedited was only $12 and I'm impatient). From what I've seen, the prices for the name brands run all about the same, give or take a couple of bucks. I was just curious if there was an overwhelming brand recommendation, but I see that I probably don't have anything to worry about.

Thanks guys!

Now I just need to do a core dump on the POS and start fresh. Too much junk has taken over!

[ducati_tim]

I remember this thread from TOB, and your machine does max out at 2 GB.

[c_rex]

More RAM is almost always a good thing but it may not be your problem.  Here are some other things to consider:
--Don't overlook the value of the system tools.  Defrag and clean your cache, if you haven't already. 
--If your hard drive (hdd) is nearly full you might be bumping up against the room your system needs to move things around so a bigger hdd is sometimes the fix. 
--There are also things you can do to optimize the speed of your OS but often when I try and tell someone what that means they look at me like I've just hit them with a ball peen hammer.  /shrug
--I even go so far as to deep condition (full reformat) my main hdd once or more per year (used to be 2+!).  It's amazing what a real fresh start can do for you.  Even though you've got a Dell with proprietary stuff on it you should still be able to wipe and rebuild your system if you want to.
--You may even want to find out if you can swap out the processor on your laptop.  If you were to go from an old single core to more recently built dual/quad core proc you might find some legs left in that old POS afterall.

Crucial is great memory, better than Kingston imho- you should be very happy with that.  I've used their low latency stuff in a couple of high end game boxes and it's always been rock solid.  I tend to buy mine from www.newegg.com because of their return policies but have never had to use it for Crucial RAM.  Good luck!

[MendoDave]

I knew memory was cheap, but that is way cheap.

[swerdna]

I knew memory was cheap, but that is way cheap.

Getting rid of it... that's the hard part...

EDIT: I should add something constructive... Mem Man!!! They have been good to me in the past. Very friendly/helpful on the phone.