Dimension 8300 RAM

[DanielHerrmann]

DDR SDRAM400 184 PIN PC3200....... RIGHT?

 

[Vegito]

Originally posted by: DanielHerrmann
DDR SDRAM400 184 PIN PC3200....... RIGHT?

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts....&model=Dimension+8300+Series&submit=Go

 

[DanielHerrmann]

That it. Thanks!

 

[DanielHerrmann]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145026

With that work right with the mobo I probably have?

 

[bamacre]

Yup.

 

[cobo]

Some notes on the DIM8300 from the Dell forums:

For the 8300, you cannot mix ram with different timings; but if you use only either PC3200 CL=3.0 or PC3200 CL=2.5, and you have a cpu that is utilizing an 800MHz fsb, then the memory will run at 400MHz. You must only remain at CL=3 if you are mixing the new ram with ram that was shipped with your computer.

Mixing memory with CL 2.5 and CL 3 will result in the memory bus slowing to 333Mhz.

It's important to note that you cannot get 400MHz performance if you use PC3200 CL=2.0. The BIOS isn't programmed to recognize that timing at that speed, and it would force a downshift to 333MHz. As a result, some of the top-end memory that runs at the faster CL=2.0 should not be used in the 8300.

.......

The Dell will automatically detect the ram specs you install, and set the speeds. There are no BIOS settings related to this that can be adjusted.

With PC3200 CL=2 added to the Dell supplied ram, many users find their memory slowing to 266MHz. Your memory may have different timings at other speeds, which is allowing it to clock up; or BIOS A04, which is on the new machines, may partially improve the issue (I'm still using BIOS A03).
The Dell supplied ram has timings table that allow it to work at 400MHz @ CL=3, or 333MHz @ CL=2.5, or 266MHz @ CL=2. When you add additional memory with a different timing, the BIOS looks for a common CL speed and selects that memory speed. This is not just Dell, all MOBOs do this. However, other MOBOs let you force a slower CL rating (ie: force a CL=3) so that the common speed becomes 400MHz. The Dell BIOS does not permit adjusting the CL timings the the BIOS selects, so you end up stuck at whatever it determines to be optimal.

You can check the RAM you have with CPU-Z

 

[bamacre]

Yes absolutley correct, and I missed this earlier, but you want to keep dual channel mode, so keep your DDR memory installed in pairs (two 256MB with a single 512MB stick is not good).

If I were in your situation, I'd dump the ram you have now (sell it off), and get this...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-20

That would be your best option, by far.

 

[Steaksauce]

I agree with Cobo!

Stick with CAS3 as all Dell lets you do in their BIOS is to adjust the clock!

 

[DanielHerrmann]

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - Retail


This is the same speed as what I should have, right?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: DanielHerrmann
CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - Retail

This is the same speed as what I should have, right?

Yes. But you need to keep dual channel mode due that P4 cpu. What ram stick(s) do you have now? If you lose dual channel, you're going to see a performance hit.

 

[DanielHerrmann]

I have 2x256 in 1 and 3 slot. I am moving that to 2 and 4 and putting 2x512 (that link I posted) in 1 and 3. that will be 1.5gig.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: DanielHerrmann
I have 2x256 in 1 and 3 slot. I am moving that to 2 and 4 and putting 2x512 (that link I posted) in 1 and 3. that will be 1.5gig.

That should work. I've seen corsair work, and not work, when mixed with Samsung (most likely that's what you have) in Dell DDR-based system.

 

[thegorx]

keep an eye on the four tall capacitors next to the CPU socket
on the Dimension 8300 everytime you open the case.

badcaps.net

Bad Capacitors

 

[cobo]

The Corsair you linked to at Newegg is rated for CASLatency2.5. If the memory you have in your DIM8300 now is rated for CASLatency3 as is usual for memory supplied by Dell in the DIM8300 and you add memory rated for CASLatency2.5 , the Dell BIOS will look for the highest common CASLatency speed in the timing tables that are contained on the memory sticks (in this case - CASLatency2.5) and runs them at the slowest speed it finds listed for that CASLatency in the timing tables which would be 333MHz or PC2700 speed - which is what the Dell supplied CASLatency3 PC3200 memory is rated to run at when it's set to CASLatency2.5. If all sticks of PC3200 in the DIM8300 are rated for either CL2.5 or CL3 they will run at 400MHz.

Download and run CPU-Z on your DIM8300. Look at the SPD tab to see what CASLatency is listed for 200MHz (DoubleDataRate=400MHz) in the timing tables of the memory you already have in your DIM8300.
http://www.cpuid.org/cpuz.php

If you buy two individual sticks at Newegg you'll be charged twice as much for shipping as getting one of the 2x512MB kits .The Corsair DDR 400(PC3200) 2x512MB kit at ZipZoomFly linked by bamacre is CASLatency3 and a few dollars cheaper because of the free shipping - I would go with that.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-20

Corsair DDR 400(PC3200) 2x512MB kit CasLatency3 at Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145505

Corsair DDR 400(PC3200) 2x512MB kit CasLatency2.5 at Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

Sorry if my previous post was confusing. I hope I've made it clearer this time.