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RD RAM question...

Cims

Junior Member
Hello, I bought my dell 8100 series about one year ago, it has a intel petium 4 1.3 ghz processor, and it came with 128MB PC600 RDRAM. I am wondering can I buy like PC800 modules and install them? I read they have to be in pairs or something (do I actually have 2 x 64mb??).

I would want to buy 2 x 256mb modules and just stick them in the first two slots then the memory i got now in the thrid and 4th slots so it be like this 1st-256mb, 2nd-256mb, 3rd-64mb, 4th-64mb

TOTAL = 640mb RD RAM


now, does that look right? and what are my limitations on the pc800 and pc1200 (pattern) and things like that etc.
 
You are correct, you need to install the ram in pairs (reminds me of EDO ram days...). There are only 3 types of RDRAM availble, PC600, PC700, and PC800. pc1200 is DDR Ram. If you want to use your existing 2 sticks of 64 meg, you will need to purchase PC600 sticks. I belive you could put PC800 sticks in the machine, but it will run at the lower clock of PC600. There really isn't much more than that.

If you have any other questions, ask away!
 
PC600 performance is horrendously slow as compared with PC800 RDRAM.

I suggest you purchase 2 x 256MB PC800 RDRAM, and sell the PC600 RDRAM.

You may want to read the FAQ: What is RDRAM?
 
PC800 should work fine. Only caveat is that all Rambus slots have to be filled, and those with no memory have CRIMMs (Continuity Modules) in them - you would have a CRIMM, now, in any of your slots that doesn't contain memory. Just replace one CRIMM with a PC800 module and you should be OK.
 
so my computer can support PC800?

so basicaly i remove the two pc600 cards in there and replace them with the pc800's

my pc has 128 so im guessing that there are 2 64mb cards in there and the other two are open
 
Yes, your system can use PC800 RDRAM.

There should be quite a performance increase by going to the faster RDRAM. Currently, your system should have 2 PC600 RDRAM RIMMs of 64MB each, and 2 CRIMMs (Continuity Modules...blank cards). An RDRAM system cannot have empty slots.

Replace the 2 PC600 RDRAM RIMMs with 2 PC800 RIMMs of 256MB each.
 


<< cool, what is pc1200 like? should i buy these moduals? >>


PC2100 is DDR SDRAM, which is not physically compatible with RDRAM. It is used in newer AMD Athlon compatible motherboards.
 
Can it be any pc800? i see these differnt stats on some say Non-ECC and stuff, whats that mean?

how do i know what chipset i have?
 


<< Can it be any pc800? i see these differnt stats on some say Non-ECC and stuff, whats that mean?

how do i know what chipset i have?
>>


you want non-ECC, non registered, non buffered.
 
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