Need help finding cheap memory for my Dell 8200!

[scottie]

Well we now have about 10,000 pics from our disney trips stored on the computer and the system is really freaking out! I just ran a check on the system and found out there is only 256mb of memory from the factory (2x128 modules)
So I am looking for another 512mb-1gb of memory to add to my Dell Dimension 8200 desktop. The check I ran said I need 184-pin RIMM, PC800 533mhz memory modules. I checked crucial.com and pricing was more then I want to pay and ebay only had 3 auctions for this type of memory. Any suggestions?

If this is the wrong forum, please suggest another

 

[Tink415]

We just bought more memory from Newegg for our Dell, 1g was about $65.

 

[Swimnoid]

That's funny! I was looking for memory for my 8250 this past weekend and what I wanted was around $300! I bought 512 a couple of years ago and it didnt seem like it was all that much.

 

[msmayor]

Well we now have about 10,000 pics from our disney trips stored on the computer and the system is really freaking out! I just ran a check on the system and found out there is only 256mb of memory from the factory (2x128 modules)
So I am looking for another 512mb-1gb of memory to add to my Dell Dimension 8200 desktop. The check I ran said I need 184-pin RIMM, PC800 533mhz memory modules. I checked crucial.com and pricing was more then I want to pay and ebay only had 3 auctions for this type of memory. Any suggestions?

If this is the wrong forum, please suggest another

That 256mb memory has nothing to do with the amount of pictures you're storing...that's sounds like the RAM... computer's 'active' memory, not its storage space. Some programs require the higher active memory to be able to load and use all of the resources at the same time.

If you want cheap storage for photos, you should consider an external hard drive. You simply need to copy your pictures from the hard drive on the computer to the external drive. I've done this with my kids' HUGE library of ITunes music and videos, as well as our pictures. A 360gb external hard drive cost me about $100

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I agree with msmayor, you need storage space not RAM. An external hard drive would be the easiest way to do this but if you're technically inclined, you can also install a second (slave) hard drive inside your case. Internal hard drives are much cheaper than the external drives and will not tie up a USB port.

 

[scottie]

I agree with msmayor, you need storage space not RAM. An external hard drive would be the easiest way to do this but if you're technically inclined, you can also install a second (slave) hard drive inside your case. Internal hard drives are much cheaper than the external drives and will not tie up a USB port.

So we have a 40GB hard drive in the computer and it is only half full at this point, would that cause the computer to feel like it is running slow when loading the Kodak Easyshare Program or trying to do multiple programs at the same time?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

It could be your graphics card (GeForce 3, 64 MB RAM), the processor (P4, 2GHz ?) or you may need to defrag your HD.

I'd start by doing the defrag if you haven't done one in a while. It can do wonders for speeding up the efficiency of your computer.

FWIW, EasyShare loads very slowly on my HP Pavillion 735n. It's got an AMD Anthlon 2600+ (2.13 GHz) and 1GB of RAM, nVIDIA GeForce4 MX graphics card (64 MB RAM). And I'm running Windows XP on it.

 

[scottie]

It could be your graphics card (GeForce 3, 64 MB RAM), the processor (P4, 2GHz ?) or you may need to defrag your HD.

I'd start by doing the defrag if you haven't done one in a while. It can do wonders for speeding up the efficiency of your computer.

FWIW, EasyShare loads very slowly on my HP Pavillion 735n. It's got an AMD Anthlon 2600+ (2.13 GHz) and 1GB of RAM, nVIDIA GeForce4 MX graphics card (64 MB RAM). And I'm running Windows XP on it.

2.4GHz Processor, but not sure what the graphics card is. I have not defragmented the HD for years as far as I can recall so I will give that a try!

Is there any other photo storage program that can be recommended that would possibly run faster and have the ease of use of the EasyShare for viewing, simple editing etc?

 

[timmac]

I'll offer my opinion and advice, just to clear up a few things I've already seen in this thread.

First off, that you need more hard drive space might be an issue, but not necessarily. Unless your HD is very nearly full, I doubt that is the issue. RAM may well be the issue, particularly if large quantities of these pics are stored in the same folder, and even more so if the folder has "show thumbnails" enabled. Whenever windows explorer opens the folder, it's going to choke, big time. Adding some more HD space is probably in order as well, but again, I'm not thinking that's the issue here.

Sadly, I can't offer you a good suggestion on the RAM. Most people can find RAM a lot cheaper, but you need a particular model (a variety Rambus RDRAM, as far as I can tell) that was only produced in the mainstream for a while, and has since fallen out of favor, mostly due to cost. Unfortunately, that's the nature of the beast sometimes.

 

[sbakersub]

I have a Dell Dimension 8200, too, and a couple years back added 512MB to the base 256MB memory, and upgraded the graphics card. I've also expanded the memory and the graphics card in my son's Dell, too. Both times I used 4AllMemory.com for the memory, and they were great. That said, 512MB of the kind the 8200 needs (2 sticks) is about $200 now, 1 GB is $480. So next time I feel like I need an upgrade, I'm going for a whole new computer.

 

[Angrypenguin]

Ouch, it looks like (for whatever reason) that the Dell model you have requires RIMMs, which is pretty rare, and therefore, pricey. The ironic thing is that you can get the most modern memory which is 8x faster with 4x the capacity for 1/4th the price of the older stuff you need

 

[Imzadi]

I don't know if they have stuff for Dells, but try crucial.com. They have good prices & are really reliable on the quality.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I also would go with the external hard drive.

 

[Angrypenguin]

Well, if you're going to be spending 250-300 on RAM (which I personally think is ridiculous for what you're getting ) and another 100-150 for an external hard drive, you might as well purchase a new low-end desktop in the 450-550 range. Even at that range, it will be a significant increase in performance compared to what you have.

Good luck!

 

[scottie]

Ouch, it looks like (for whatever reason) that the Dell model you have requires RIMMs, which is pretty rare, and therefore, pricey. The ironic thing is that you can get the most modern memory which is 8x faster with 4x the capacity for 1/4th the price of the older stuff you need

I guess I will send Dell a thank you card! Well I will now have to decide between a new computer or my first DSLR camera as a tax refund gift to myself. I have feeling the camera may win out and maybe I will try to find some of this all-mighty memory on ebay and grab another 256mb or 515mb to hold me over for another year or so.

 

[jwfla422]

There is no doubt that your RAM or "lack of" RAM is slowing you down on this machine. I have the same one. It needs a minimum of 512 MB to work with "today's" photo programs/photo images, really more. I NOW have 768 MB and while this is sufficient to run advanced programs of Photoshop and Dreamweaver and even keep them both running at the same time it still can run sluggish at times.

I purchased my RAM on Ebay and really got lucky with the price at the time. Even the seller had told me that was the lowest he ever sold the RAM for. I believe it only cost me about $80 or so. It's not the easiest memory to find like some types are (the ones you can buy in the retail stores), so it costs more.

You can find a 80 GB external for under $100 these days. Your computer is probably about 7 yrs old or so, so you really need to give it some thought as to whether you want to invest more in it or go with something new. Still, to get the same power as the 8200 you will need to spend close to $1000. The processor in the 8200 is quite good and the processors in the lower end computers nowadays still aren't as quick as the 8200. Keep trying Ebay. ALSO keep in mind you need the 400 Mhz FSB. I made the mistake of getting a different Mhz and it didn't work. The seller was KIND enough to exchange it out. I wish I could find my info from the seller as I'd let you know who it was if they still sell on Ebay or not. If I do-I'll PM it to you.

 

[scottie]

Thanks for all the help thus far! I am going to check the memory in my computer tonight (open the case) to see what speed is in there and then do a full on search of ebay to locate another 512 or so of memory.

 

[wdwfan1]

I have the same computer and purchased an additional 512 of RAM from new egg. It was kind of pricey. Unfortunately, the computer was still sluggish, so I am now enjoying my brand new Dell.

The old computer will no longer connect to the internet. Any idea why?

 

[scottie]

I have located the needed memory on ebay for 85.00 for an additional 512mb so I think I will take advantage of that deal to save myself some $. I can only imagine this should help a good bit as I have been running with only 256mb for 5 years and was ok with that for the most part.

 

[scottie]

Now my dilemma, I have a 533 front bus on this computer and the memory I can find for a good deal runs at 400 but is compatible with my 533 front bus, just wont run at 533? Will I notice a big difference at 400 vs 533? I’m not even sure what that all means!