# Is it even practical/possible to build a PC these days? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313 "2009-11-20T18:50:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/61 "2009-11-22T15:15:38Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > [del]That machine can only take a maximum of 512 MB, per Crucial.[/del] It’s also only got USB 1.1 ports, so a USB 2 card is a good idea - it’s only $10 or so anyway. Yes, thanks again. I intend to follow this suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/62 "2009-11-22T15:26:47Z")
Fuck all wrong = nothing wrong with it. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/63 "2009-11-22T15:30:27Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > [Crucial.com](http://Crucial.com) says the maximum amount of RAM for my machine is 512mb; they also say they do not have anything in stock that will work. I’ll dig around a little further and see if I can come up with anything. When I first resurrected this thing, I found a web page with the complete specs for it; the RAM sticks were referred to as DIMMS—is that relevant to what I’m trying to do? I mean, if I use that term in a search, am I more likely to find useful information? I do appreciate all your inputs; when I ran the defragmenter, the little status box says the hard drive is “Healthy.” Can I trust that for the moment? Specifically, it appears that what you’re after is PC100 SDRAM, packaged in 168 pin DIMMS. Crucial probably doesn’t make them anymore. You want to google for PC100 SDRAM, though **runner\_pat** has provided a link to what appears to be suitable memory from one vendor, at a very good price. Suspiciously good. One note - as shown one the pictures from those links, you have two memory slots: [Support Home | Dell US](http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx110/en/ug/inside.htm#fig9_system_board_components) (see fig. 9) Your existing memory is 128 mb, either as 1 128 mb DIMM or 2 64 mb DIMMs. Either way, to push it up to 512, you are replacing, rather than augmenting the existing memory. You’ll want to spring for 2 256 mb DIMMs. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/64 "2009-11-22T15:39:39Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > **LouisB** > [Memory for sale.](http://www.edgetechcorp.com/memory/upgrade.asp?cid=24289) > > [Documentation from Dell.](http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx110/) > > [Service Manual.](http://facweb.northseattle.edu/tfiegenb/eet/DELL/ServiceGuide/index.htm) Thanks. I went to Edgetech Corp’s website to buy the memory and found that they not only require my email address but the password to the account. Do you know why? I’ve never been asked for the password to an email account before and I’m reluctant to hand it out. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/65 "2009-11-22T15:49:01Z")
[Newegg](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147+1052107967&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=147&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=) has some also at similar prices. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/66 "2009-11-22T15:49:36Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Thanks. I went to Edgetech Corp’s website to buy the memory and found that they not only require my email address but the password to the account. Do you know why? I’ve never been asked for the password to an email account before and I’m reluctant to hand it out. > > Thanks. They want you to create a username/password combination for logging into their site. The username is your email address and the password is something you create just for Edgetech, not the password to your email account. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/67 "2009-11-22T16:12:42Z")
Usually a machine that was made to use PC100 could also run PC133 at the slower speed. Because of this some companies would sell PC133 memory relabeled as PC100. IIRC the GX-110 is one that would only work with actual PC100. [These](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147+1052107967+1052307856+1052414041&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=147&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=) are what you can use from Newegg. There’s no reason to not get the Mushkin if that’s where you buy from. ETA: I may have some I’d send you for free if you’re in the US. Possibly a USB 2 card as well. I’ll check at work tomorrow and send you a PM. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/68 "2009-11-22T16:27:38Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > They want you to create a username/password combination for logging into their site. The username is your email address and the password is something you create just for Edgetech, not the password to your email account. I couldn’t find anything on their website that made that as clear as you have. These senior moments are going to be the death of me. Thanks for the information. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313/69 "2009-11-22T16:33:45Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > Usually a machine that was made to use PC100 could also run PC133 at the slower speed. Because of this some companies would sell PC133 memory relabeled as PC100. IIRC the GX-110 is one that would only work with actual PC100. > > [These](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147+1052107967+1052307856+1052414041&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=147&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=) are what you can use from Newegg. There’s no reason to not get the Mushkin if that’s where you buy from. > > ETA: I may have some I’d send you for free if you’re in the US. Possibly a USB 2 card as well. I’ll check at work tomorrow and send you a PM. Thanks; that is a most gracious offer. I do live in the USA or at least in Florida. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-even-practical-possible-to-build-a-pc-these-days/518313.md?page=3)