Memory Speed

[firefly2442 0]

Ok, so there's this Dell Dimension 2400 system that I need to upgrade. It's got 128MB of RAM. Terrible, I know. I looked in the specs and it says it is upgradeable to 1GB max memory. I looked in the computer and there is one slot free for another stick of RAM. It also says that the memory capacities are 128-, 256-, or 512-MB. The minimum that is allowed (which it has) is 128 MB shared DDR SDRAM.

The memory type is PC2100 (266-Mhz) or PC2700 (333-Mhz) DDR SDRAM.

So my question is.... how do I find out what memory type it has? Can I do this without pulling it out? Also, once I know that does it matter what type I get? It would be better to get the PC2700 no? I figure a 512MB stick would speed it up immensely. Thanks for the help.

[Crimson 0]

Since it sounds like your mobo only runs PC2700 and under, if you install (lets say) PC3200 RAM, it will/should slow it down. Just make sure not to get DDR2.

So my question is.... how do I find out what memory type it has?

What is it? The memory module? I'm not to sure as to how you can check without not knowing what you've purchased... maybe someone else knows.

[firefly2442 0]

Well, I guess it doesn't matter. If I can just get a PC2700 512MB stick and put it in I should be fine right? This would up the total memory to 640MB. Not bad.

[CR6 0]

So my question is.... how do I find out what memory type it has?  Can I do this without pulling it out? 

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Most modern memory has info on it about who the manufacturer is, its ratings and timings, etc. which can be read by certain utilties such as Sisoft Sandra.

Download the Sisoft Sandra utility here:

http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/redirect/dload.php?id=40

When you have installed it, click on "Mainboard Information" and let the utility analyze your system. Then look under "Memory Module" and let us know what kind of memory you have.

Also tell us what motherboard chipset you have, and any other system specs (CPU/OS/HD/graphics/audio etc.).

Also, once I know that does it matter what type I get?  It would be better to get the PC2700 no?  I figure a 512MB stick would speed it up immensely.  Thanks for the help.

←

Yes, it matters what type of RAM you get. Certain old motherboards cannot support larger amounts of memory unless the RAM sticks have modules on both sides of the RAM etc.

Also, if your system is running Win9x and not used for gaming, there's no need to upgrade RAM. So we need to know more details about your system and what you want to use it for to give you a better recommendation.

[Crimson 0]

You could also call up Dell if still have any questions.

My memory doesnt say how fast it is. But I overclocked it to PC3200 anyway.

[Dannik 43]

According to Crucial.com, the Dell in question uses either PC2700 or PC3200 RAM. I don't know which, other than both are compatible. I'd lean towards PC3200, as it will downclock bettter than 2700 will overclock, if it's the other way around. The FSB supported is only 266 or 333, so no 800mHz PC3200 needs apply.

[firefly2442 0]

K, I will check on it later today. Thanks guys.

[firefly2442 0]

Mainboard

Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corp.

MP Support : 1 CPU(s)

MPS Version : 1.40

Model : 0G1548

Version : A00

Serial Number : ..CN7082135QC0KX.

CPU speed - 2.2 Gig

On-board Devices

Intel 845-G PCI Accelerated SVGA : Video Adapter (Enabled)

Intel Pro 1000 MT Network Connection : Ethernet Adapter (Enabled)

AC'97 Audio Controller : Sound Adapter (Enabled)

System Memory Controller

Location : Mainboard

Error Correction Capability : None

Number of Memory Slots : 2

Maximum Installable Memory : 1GB

Bank 1 - DIMM_1 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 128MB/64 @ 266Mt/s

Bank 2 - DIMM_2 : Empty

Chipset 1

Model : Dell Computer Corp 82845G/GL/GV Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (A1-step)

Bus(es) : X-Bus PCI IMB USB i2c/SMBus

Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)

Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 4x 133MHz / 2x 166MHz

Width : 64-bit

IO Queue Depth : 8 request(s)

Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks

Bank 0 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.0-3-3-6CL 1CMD

Shared Memory : 1MB

Speed : 2x 133MHz (266MHz data rate)

Multiplier : 4/3x

Width : 64-bit

Refresh Rate : 15.60µs

Power Save Mode : No

Fixed Hole Present : No

Here's the info. When you say I could get PC3200, wouldn't that not work since it says I need PC2700?

[WhiteKnight77 1]

That is actually PC2100 DDR. 2x 133mHz.

[Specter 0]

You need PC2100.

Another way to find out, aside from pulling the RAM, is to go to Dell's website, and look it up. You can do it by model, or by serial number of the machine I believe.

Failing that, go into the BIOs, and it may tell you there.

[NurFACE 0]

You would be better off with memory clocked at 3200 running 2 sticks of identical memory. You shouldn't run the 128 stick if you have 3 slots because timing for memory will go to 2100. I think with your system 512 should be fast enough clocked at 2700. You can keep the 128 stick in case you get in bind with your system. I have been buying Corsair memory lately. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-145-452&depa=1

http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/xms.html

chart

[CR6 0]

You would be better off with memory clocked at 3200 running 2 sticks of identical memory. 

←

Nurface, your recommendation would be good if he was running a motherboard with a Intel 865 or 875P chipset, as they support dual channel RAM

However, firefly does not need identical RAM as his system has the older Intel 845 chipset which only supports single-channel DDR RAM at maximum speed of 266MHz (i.e. PC2100 RAM). He also only has one RAM slot open.

@Firefly, at this point, it doesn't matter if you buy PC2100, PC2700 (DDR333), or PC3200 (DDR400) RAM as they will ALL run at 266MHz on your system (and I doubt you'll have much luck overclocking on a Dell motherboard)

So if you like, you can just keep your 128MB stick in there, and buy a 512MB stick of pretty much any kind of DDR RAM on sale at Best Buy and it should work. If it doesn't, Best Buy has a easier return policy than online stores.

Make sure you stick your new 512MB stick of RAM in the first slot though.

[firefly2442 0]

Why the first slot? Because it gets used first?

[CR6 0]

Yup. AFAIK, in a single-channel setup, when the computer is storing info in the RAM, it will use up the RAM on the first slot before continuing to the second one.

You haven't mentioned if you are running WinXP or Win9x on this machine. I've read somewhere that WinXP uses about 150MB of RAM when it is running (that is why they usually recommend a minimum of 256MB RAM for WinXP) while Win9x can run on 32MB of RAM.

So I would imagine that WinXP would run a bit more efficiently if the 512MB stick of RAM is in the first slot - to be honest, it's just a guess, and I don't have any benchmarks to prove it. Anyone please correct me if I'm mistaken!

I have personally got WinXP to run half decently on a Celeron 466MHz/128MB RAM with many of the fancier features turned off, but it did chug along.

[firefly2442 0]

Yeah, it's windows XP and lemme tell ya, it chugs.... lol, slllloooooowww. Anyway, it'll be a good Christmas gift. Thanks guys.

[firefly2442 0]

Quick question, what is ECC and Registered/Unbuffered? What does this mean? Just curious. Thanks.

[WhiteKnight77 1]

ECC/Registered RAM is RAM that has a special chip on it that checks for errors and is mostly used on servers and is actually a bit slower than non-ECC/unregistered RAM. You are wanting unregistered RAM.

[firefly2442 0]

Thank you.

[firefly2442 0]

Got some RAM. Installed it today. System runs a LOT better. That was the bottleneck right there. Thanks for the help everyone.

[KRP 56 92]

Since were on the subject of memory is 1gb of PC3200 more than enough for a gaming PC or would 2gb really make it that much better. I've read some articles that said more is always better then some articles say at least 512mb and up to 1gb is more than enough memory for gaming applications.

[WhiteKnight77 1]

1GB will be fine now adays.