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Any disadvantage to third party RAM or hard drive?

post #1 of 17
2/6/05 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone,

I am planning on picking up the m70 in the very near future and getting the smallest HD, and lowest memory that Dell offers - and ordering third party stuff in the meantime while they are building the system.

By searching the forums, it does not seem like there are any hidden pitfalls but I wanted to check first - is this a wise path to take?

has anyone had any negative experiences with doing this?
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post #2 of 17
2/6/05 at 1:44pm
I once bought cheap OEM memory from a site listen in pricewatch.com. It was giving me CRC and check sum errors. I ran memtest86 and memory was the cluprit. So I suggest stay away from memory labeled as that.
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post #3 of 17
2/6/05 at 1:48pm
If you buy RAM from a third party source, do it through newegg and you should have no problems.
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post #4 of 17
2/6/05 at 2:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by atomman
Hello everyone,

I am planning on picking up the m70 in the very near future and getting the smallest HD, and lowest memory that Dell offers - and ordering third party stuff in the meantime while they are building the system.

By searching the forums, it does not seem like there are any hidden pitfalls but I wanted to check first - is this a wise path to take?

has anyone had any negative experiences with doing this?
there is absolutely no reason NOT to buy from a third party source for things that are equally as good or better than what dell sells for at a much lower price (i.e. ram and HD). With that said, if dell is having free upgrade and stuff or things like HD's are cheaper to upgrade than from a third party buying new, then do that.

Also, just look at the company's return policies and warranties. there is no reason for RAM not to have lifetime warranty. you should really only buy from a company that clearly articulates return policies. It shouldn't be a big chore to return either.

for RAM, I use www.oempcworld.com
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post #5 of 17
2/6/05 at 3:28pm
Thread Starter 
- thanks for the help guys,

with that said - a couple more questions -

a) right now crucial lists 512MB sticks - not 1GB sticks - If possible, it would be nice have a couple Gigs for Maya

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...+M70&submit=Go

are there other suppliers that would have quality ram that you can recommend? I am finding that because the m70 is so new - it is not listed on the websites yet - just the m60

specs of the ram for the m70 are as follows: DDR2 PC2-4200 non-ecc, non-buffered

b) what is the harddrive that you would recommend? - i would like speed over storage

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post #6 of 17
2/6/05 at 3:40pm
www.oempcworld.com for ram...if none listed,call them (they have buyback too so you can get the standard dell ram and send it to oempcworld after you get your new ones and they will give you about 50% of what they sell that ram for).

the fastest currently is the hitachi 60gb 7200rpm, but 80's and 100s are right around the corner
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post #7 of 17
2/6/05 at 3:49pm
No, no reason why you shouldn't or can't buy and install ram from a 3rd party. I would look at crucial.com They offer a great guarantee on their memory.

Hitachi Travelstar has a 60GB @ 7200 rpm hd. You might look at the Seagate Momentus 100 gb 5400 rpm hd.

I received an e-mail from Seagates Disc Presales, some 2 days ago. They mentioned to me that the Seagate Momentus 100 gb 7200 rpm hd is due for release within the next 4 months.

I would simply set up your new rig. When you finally decide on which new hd to install, just clone your old hd to your new one and you're set.
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post #8 of 17
2/6/05 at 3:50pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OEM is the devil, it will destroy your system!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH.

On the real side though, check out outpost.com for ram, they usually have great deals.
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post #9 of 17
2/6/05 at 3:55pm
atomman,

If and when you do decide a larger and/or faster hd, may I suggest the following? I have had great success with the Apricorn product, with regard to hd upgrading. It's simple and quick. It will save you lots of time and headaches. You just install their sofware in your existing rig and transfer info from your existing rig's hd to your new hd, which is in a supplied enclosure.

Then you switch out the hd's and you're set.
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post #10 of 17
2/6/05 at 5:32pm
Thread Starter 
thanks so much for eveyones help!
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post #11 of 17
2/6/05 at 6:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by laffingbilly
www.oempcworld.com for ram...if none listed,call them (they have buyback too so you can get the standard dell ram and send it to oempcworld after you get your new ones and they will give you about 50% of what they sell that ram for).

the fastest currently is the hitachi 60gb 7200rpm, but 80's and 100s are right around the corner
Wow thats a pretty good deal however, I didn't see anything about a buyback program on their website. Do you have to call them?
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post #12 of 17
2/6/05 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Odarby
Wow thats a pretty good deal however, I didn't see anything about a buyback program on their website. Do you have to call them?
near the top of the home page in the middle there is "Take Advantage of our no hassle BuyBack program where we buy your old ram - You can $ave an additonal 20-30% off for a total discount savings of over 60% - Save More Today" click on the bold face Buyback and it will give more info. essentially, all you do is, buy the ram you want, you can print the invoice out from the email they send you or just use the invoice that comes with the RAM when you get it. write buyback at the top of the invoice, collect up all the old ram you don't want and and mail it all back to the address provided. if you are sending back 32mb of PC66 or something, they probably won't accept it and will return it, but if it is anything that they sell on their website, you will get something back (like they list 20%-60% off of what they sell it)...they just credit the credit card you used to buy the original ram.

they are quick to ship your ram, and quick to credit your account when they get your unwanted ram.
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post #13 of 17
2/6/05 at 10:22pm
Nope. Just be sure the product you're buying is good, doesn't matter who you buy from.
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post #14 of 17
2/10/05 at 11:38am
Thread Starter 
I would be happy to do some benchies when I get mine.

- maybe some of you more experienced can help me . . .

I ordered at M70 on Tuesday and it still has not shown up on the dell site. When the guy took my order he said that the credit card went through ok.

Is this normal - am I being paranoid?

any advice?

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post #15 of 17
2/10/05 at 1:58pm
that's odd, you should be able to check status using your customer number that you received. i'd call back and talk to someone else. i presume you got a customer number?
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post #16 of 17
2/10/05 at 2:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by qwazi
If you buy RAM from a third party source, do it through newegg and you should have no problems.
Agreed. I have done this many times and never had a problem.
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post #17 of 17
2/10/05 at 2:26pm
Thread Starter 
laffinbilly,

yeah - I called back and spoke to the business department (Im in Canada, by the way - that might have something to do with it) - they said it is normal for it not to show up right away - has to go to Houston first or something- call back by monday if you have not heard back . . .

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