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Skiz
03-25-2007, 09:54 PM
A friend asked me to make a couple of recommendations for his PC. He's fixing to do a reformat and wanted to do some minor upgrades at the same time.

He has a Dell Dimension 8300

Windows XP Home
Intel Pentium 4, 3000 MHz (15 x 200)
Intel Canterwood i875P/E7210
512 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS - Phoenix (02/23/04)


What he wants:

1. Memory
2. New HDD to backup what he already has, and then to use for future storage after Windows reinstall.


Memory:

He currently has 512 (specs above)

My recommendation would be this, as it needs to be a set - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148007


HDD:

He currently has a Seagate 120GB (ST3120026AS - 120 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA)

My recommendation would be - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140


So my questions are:

Are these suggestions feasible? Specs are OK, etc?

Is there any downside to purchasing an OEM HDD?
clocker
03-25-2007, 10:23 PM
Looks good to me.
AFAIK, the only thing you lose going with an OEM drive is a pretty box, the cable and an instruction manual.

Note:
Newegg is notorious for the crappy job they do packing HDDs...it'll just be tossed in a box with peanuts.
Test it immediately upon receipt so you can return if necessary.
Virtualbody1234
03-25-2007, 10:49 PM
The set of memory will work but you could save some cash if you just try to match the one he already has.

Only 1x512 more.
Skiz
03-25-2007, 11:21 PM
The set of memory will work but you could save some cash if you just try to match the one he already has.

Only 1x512 more.

I figured he could use the extra gig. Certainly couldn't hurt, and with the rebate it's only like $38 per 512.
Shiranai_Baka
03-26-2007, 03:11 AM
Looks good to me.
AFAIK, the only thing you lose going with an OEM drive is a pretty box, the cable and an instruction manual.

Note:
Newegg is notorious for the crappy job they do packing HDDs...it'll just be tossed in a box with peanuts.
Test it immediately upon receipt so you can return if necessary.

ORLY? I ordered 2 hard drives from them and they had it bubble wrapped and put into a fun fun peanut filled box!
lynx
03-26-2007, 08:46 AM
Check the voltage requirements of that memory - 2.8 Volts.

Can the system supply 2.8 Volts to the memory?
Can it run alongside the existing memory which probably only needs 2.5 Volts?

I think you are just asking for potential problems if you go for that memory.
Skiz
03-26-2007, 09:57 AM
Check the voltage requirements of that memory - 2.8 Volts.

Can the system supply 2.8 Volts to the memory?
Can it run alongside the existing memory which probably only needs 2.5 Volts?

I think you are just asking for potential problems if you go for that memory.

Googled all over. Can't find info on that. :unsure:
clocker
03-26-2007, 12:38 PM
Lynx is correct, the stock memory is 2.5v.

Slipped right past me, that little nugget did.
Skiz
03-27-2007, 07:26 AM
Lynx is correct, the stock memory is 2.5v.

Slipped right past me, that little nugget did.


The Crucial website recommends these which are 2.6V - http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Dimension+8300+Series

:idunno:
lynx
03-27-2007, 09:02 AM
The current memory may be 2.5 volt or 2.6 volt, it is difficult to tell from the specs. I suspect that models with pc2700 memory operate at 2.5v and those wih pc3200 memory use 2.6v.

Why not use Everest to find out the memory that's currently in the pc, then look that up and find out from the manufacturer what1 voltage it uses?

Everest will also tell you the memory timings, but you need to be careful with that as there are actually different timings at different speeds. Again, if you look up the actual part you can find out the manufacturers ratings and try to match it.

All the recommended pc3200 memory I've found operates at 2.6 volts.

I've noticed that all the sites say you need to fit memory sticks in pairs.
Skiz
03-27-2007, 07:01 PM
I did notice that needed to be in pairs, that's why I was going to suggest 512 x 2.

I already had him run Everest a few days ago, but I don't see the voltage anywhere. :huh:
lynx
03-28-2007, 12:59 AM
You misunderstood me, I think.

Use Everest to find out the manufacturer and chip type.
Then look up the voltage and speed at the manufacturer's site.
Skiz
04-20-2007, 02:10 AM
OK, so he got the stuff, but now he's trying to figure out how to install the second hard drive.

What wiring does he need to run?

One to the PSU and one to the mobo, er what?
mbucari1
04-20-2007, 05:28 AM
ram seems fine. I got my pc running around 180MB at startup including avast active monitoring/updater, utorrent and peer guardian.