(t-storm is over LOL... past few days we've had them and they last only about 15 minutes or so)

Ok, so the extra power is a go...

I do know how to pop memory sticks in... but the thought of buying the wrong thing scares the tar outta me.  This is included in the base price of the machine - 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz - looking deeper, it has 4 memory slots - i am assuming that with the 8GB option, it ships with 2 4GB memory sticks, with 2 slots available? (btw, quad channel doesnt seem to be an option listed LOL)

Oh hey, i just found the "chat with a dell rep" button (k, i'm slow)... lol... i'll do this when hubby is here, and ask about a special order - to get the 570 or 580 video card instead of the 590, and be able to ask about those memory slots and how they're set up. The thought of trying to get a video card in by myself scares me.

By "matching" (on memory sticks), does that mean the brand name also has to match or just the Dual Channel DDR3, 1333MHz, and the exact same amount of GB per stick? (i assume with dual channel, you have to have two evenly matched sticks?)

And thank you all for your time - i know you are very busy people, and I'm probably one of the most clueless folks out there... it's probably a lot like trying to teach a puppy how to fly a kite.

My friends and family think its strange that I know a lot about computers (mostly software) but I am completely clueless about things like this... 

Rarer than a hairy egg and madder than a box of frogs....

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