RDRAM PC1066 question

[smadavid]

I'm looking to get a new system, probably a Dell, since I don't have the time to build my own this time around. I want to get one of the new 533 MHz bus P4's, but I haven't decided what to do about the memory yet. I don't want to cripple a system that really shines using PC1066 RDRAM. The problem is Dell will only ship the Dimension 8200 with PC800 installed since its not officially supported by Intel. The system must ship with an 850E chipset since it uses the 533 MHz bus. My question is this... does anything think I'd run into problems by adding PC1066 RAM after the fact? Does the Dell's BIOS make it easy to change the memory speed? If anyone has had experience with this, I'd love to hear about it.

And do you think Intel will ever officially support PC1066 or have they completely abandoned RDRAM in favor of dual channel DDR? I'd consider DDR also, but Dell's systems top out at 2100, which would cripple it even more than PC800 RDRAM.

Thanks for any help!

 

[mechBgon]

I wouldn't think building your own would take any longer than an evening or two... And buying RAM you don't plan to use doesn't seem like an optimal solution. Buying a Dell with a proprietary ATX-connector pinout and motherboard would bother me, personally, but that's not what you were asking.

I'd doubt that the Dell would run the PC1066 at PC1066 speed. What are you planning to do with the system that will not run satisfactorily at PC800 speeds, anyway... video editing, heavy WinZip compressions, or ??? WinZip 8.1 turns out to be the killer app for PC1066, by the way... double the speed of a DDR setup.

 

[smadavid]

Thanks for the reply. I've just kinda got fed up with the hastles of building my own systems -- A nice OEM system sounds wonderful especially when I'm short on time. If I did this, I'd order it with the least RAM possible. I guess I don't have a great reason for needing the PC1066... not like I'm doing a lot of zipping Guess I just like the idea of getting the most out of the processor. I do a bit of 3D gaming so it might make some difference there, especially for future stuff like Doom 3. If I knew there was an easy switch in the Dell BIOS, then I'd go right ahead. Or if I knew Intel would validate for PC1066 sometime soon, then I might put off the purchase a little while. Or who knows, perhaps I'll give in and build a system. Thanks again.

Dave

 

[THUGSROOK]

smadavid ~ do yourself a favor and build your own.
should only take you 1 day to build and load it - tops.

 

[SupermanCK]

where do you live? maybe i can build it for ya...i like to have fun...just pay me a little...

 

[BD231]

Build one, no sense in buying a Dell when your just going to void the warranty by opening the case.

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
smadavid ~ do yourself a favor and build your own.
should only take you 1 day to build and load it - tops.

I Totally agree!

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