Dell dimension memory question

[slightlyhuman]

I have an old Dimension 4550, here are the specs:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4550/specs.htm

I pulled the memory out and am confused what kind of memory it is? The website says DDR. I have a few sticks of DDR 2100 and 2700 but the notches don't match up. The ram on bottom came from the computer, ram on the top is my DDR.

Been a while since I've messed with memory this old, at first I thought it was SD-ram



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[bruceb]

From the Crucial.com web site, here is what you need for that computer.
Next time you post a picture, turn it the correct way, so we can read the labels if we need to.

You need this memory (for a 533Mhz FSB)
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...FSB%29&Cat=RAM

You need this memory (for a 400Mhz FSB)

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...FSB%29&Cat=RAM

 

[paul878]

Those look like Rambus memory at the bottom.

 

[Fardringle]

I agree, the memory sticks at the bottom look like Rambus memory. Are you sure it was a Dimension 4550? According to Dell and Crucial, that model only shipped with regular DDR memory.

What do the labels on the RAM sticks actually say? The picture is too blurry and low resolution so I can't make out most of the letters and numbers.

 

[denis280]

Memory Upgrade for Dell Dimension 4550 Series Computer, the Dell Dimension 4550 Series Computer takes the PC2100/PC2700 DDR SDRAM. 533MHz FSB requires PC2700 Memory Type, and comes installed with 128 MB (removable) of Memory. You can upgrade your Dell Dimension 4550 Series Computer to up to a maximum of 1.0 GB Memory, the system has 2 sockets to install Memory, already with 128 MB (removable) standard Memory installed. For best Computer performance use the maximum amount of allowed Memory per slot for your Computer.

 

[jolancer]

Next time you post a picture, turn it the correct way, so we can read the labels if we need to.

wow, lazy much.

@slightlyhuman - i suggest you turn the pictures upsidedown next time to give bruce a headache.

and if the others are correct, sounds like your dell case was perhaps recycled with a different board inside. theres limited types of ram that fit those descriptions so Im not doubting there rambus as thy suggest. especialy since there in pairs of 4 with heatspreaders. but if you want to make sure for urself, since you have the case open you could also google the Motherboard Model or chipset that you see on it to find its specs.

EDIT: side note - if those are sticks u plan on keeping or using, might not want to lay them on fabric or non-antistatic plastic.

 

[bruceb]

I agree, they do look like Rambus chips. But the OP never came back to us or told us which FSB he has. If it really is a Dimension 4550 motherboard, then Crucial has the memory he needs. If it is Rambus, it will be hard to find and we need either the exact current memory chip type or the correct motherboard info to find it. And I am not lazy, you can't easily turn the photo without first downloading it. Photo is blurry, only thing I can tell for sure is the memory on the left is made by Samsung which likely makes it Rambus (my old dell 8200 has the same type)

 

[slightlyhuman]

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it is a 4550. i'm going to say you guys are right. never dealt with rambus but i know it being obsolete it might be a little overpriced. the motherboard says e210882. about to do a little googling and see what i can find.

 

[slightlyhuman]

and sorry about the pictures. recently acquired an iphone and keep forgetting to turn it sideways.

 

[BoomerD]

MR16R1624EGOCM8 IS RAMBUS RAM.

http://computers.pricegrabber.com/l...inal-184Pin-128MB-RAMBUS-RDRAM/m10274963.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820150301

 

[slightlyhuman]

MR16R1624EGOCM8 IS RAMBUS RAM.

http://computers.pricegrabber.com/l...inal-184Pin-128MB-RAMBUS-RDRAM/m10274963.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820150301

thanks B:beer;

 

[Lanyap]

If your system looks like this and is labeled 4550 around the power switch then someone replaced the original motherboard that uses DDR to an older motherboard that uses rambus.

 

[slightlyhuman]

If your system looks like this and is labeled 4550 around the power switch then someone replaced the original motherboard that uses DDR to an older motherboard that uses rambus.

you're right. thinking of ordering some of this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precis...ultDomain_0&hash=item2c5d42237b#ht_512wt_1396

thoughts?

 

[Motorheader]

What comes up on the bios screen when you boot the system - it will tell you what it is and the bios revision you are at. Could be a Dimension 8200/8250 or some Optiplex/Precision workstation.

 

[Lanyap]

you're right. thinking of ordering some of this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precis...ultDomain_0&hash=item2c5d42237b#ht_512wt_1396

thoughts?

That should work. You are upgrading from 512MB to 1GB for $20.

You might also want to do what Motorheader said and check your BIOS. You may be able to upgrade your CPU for cheap also.

 

[slightlyhuman]

8250

 

[slightlyhuman]

errr, so how much memory can i put in this mobo? having a hard time finding links about it. keeps telling me DDR memory which i know isn't the case. also, does it matter if it's ECC or non-ECC?

based off of this link, i can use either ECC or non-ECC: http://www.memorystock.com/memory/DellDimension8250.html


so here's what i'm looking at ordering, just want to make sure it will be compatible. seems like i can get 2GB total if it's in matching pairs:

$94

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gateway-700...ultDomain_0&hash=item2eb24b41ae#ht_514wt_1395

a little cheaper

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2GB-4x512MB...ltDomain_0&hash=item4aaf599968#ht_2106wt_1165

 

[jolancer]

sorry dont meant to assume or miss interpret your intent... but I think I'm missing the point? why upgrade this memory at all? doesn't matter how much you put in, its still just going to run slower then DDR.

Im not going to lookup the technical terms for it but... ECC is just for some type of built in error crc control. usually used more in a server environment were corruption control is more mission critical, ECC is also slower. Usually never used in consume pc's.

 

[Motorheader]

Try this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2GB-4-x-512...562?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5ff21c8a

Don't go with 45 - go with 40. It is a bit faster and more compatible.

 

[slightlyhuman]

sorry dont meant to assume or miss interpret your intent... but I think I'm missing the point? why upgrade this memory at all? doesn't matter how much you put in, its still just going to run slower then DDR.

Im not going to lookup the technical terms for it but... ECC is just for some type of built in error crc control. usually used more in a server environment were corruption control is more mission critical, ECC is also slower. Usually never used in consume pc's.

just doing it for a relative. they don't want to buy a new computer but think they can add memory and everything is going to be ok. i've tried telling them, just some of those relatives

 

[slightlyhuman]

Try this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2GB-4-x-512...562?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5ff21c8a

Don't go with 45 - go with 40. It is a bit faster and more compatible.

you don't think i'll have a problem going with a different brand? i've just got a bone in me that makes me think a different brand will give me fits. if you're pretty confident it will work i'll grab it but don't mind paying the extra for the samsung specific memory:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gateway-700...ultDomain_0&hash=item2eb24b41ae#ht_514wt_1395

 

[jolancer]

i wouldnt know.

but i would pay more for samsung too.

 

[Motorheader]

Elpida was a long time RDRAM producer. For the age of the technology I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[jolancer]

true, +and not like the payment tward anything on ebay would be helping support any portion of the developer/samsung anyway.

 

[slightlyhuman]

can any one confirm for me that the motherboard i posted will take 2gb? i've seen different answers and just want to be sure. i've seen 1.5gb and 2gb on different sites.