Will This RDRAM Work on my Dell?

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Schqwnbean

Junior Member
Jun 13, 2005
4
0
0
Hi

I'm very new to the customisation side of computers, but I after getting sick of having to wait so long for the simplest program to load, I have delved into the subject.

Now, I have read up in some magazines and I know the best way of upgrading a computer for a minimum cost is more RAM. I've researched into this and this is where the problem lies.

My computer is a Dell Dimension 8200. Since buying it, I have not touched the hardware other than to get a DSL modem over the standard 56k. I have run a system scan and been told that this is my current set up:

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Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)
System Model: Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 8200
System Service Tag: 6VW390J
Chassis Serial Number: 6VW390J
Processor: 1.80 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Main Circuit Board: Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 8200
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Computer Corporation A02 11/12/2001
Drives: 80.00 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
30.72 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8160B [CD-ROM drive]
SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-616 [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]
ST380021A [Hard drive] (80.03 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 3HV07EY7, rev 3.10, SMART Status: Healthy

Memory Modules: 256 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 'RIMM1' has 128 MB
Slot 'RIMM2' has 128 MB
Slot 'RIMM3' is Empty
Slot 'RIMM4' is Empty

Local Drive Volumes
c: (on drive 0) 80.00 GB 30.72 GB free

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, as you can see it runs on RIMM RAMBUS RDRAM. I want to fill slots RIMM3 and RIMM4 with two 512KB modules (as all RAMBUS RAM has to be installed in pairs).

I found a great deal on 1024KB (2x512KB) RDRAM and I want to know if it is compatible with my computer.

It is described as follows:

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2x512 800-40ns ECC faster than the normal 45ns,

part number; MR18R162GEGO-CM8

Go to www.samsung.com for more technical info;

Features

High speed up to 1066 MHZ RDRAM storage
184 edge connector pads with 1mm pad spacing
Each RDRAM device has 32 banks
Gold plated edge connector pad contacts
Serial Presence Detect(SPD) support(as below)
Operates from a 2.5 volt supply (±5%)
Powerdown self refresh modes
Separate Row and Column buses for higher efficiency

memory is the more expensive ECC / Parity (Error Code Detection and Correction) memory and also has presence detect installed to allow PC to detect new memory i.e. simply plug in and use.

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As far as I can tell it is compatible in every way. What foxed me is the very first line about it being faster than the normal 45ns. This sounded good, so again I did research, and found a site containing the following information on the same item:

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Samsung pair of 512Mb RDRAM, with the added benefit of ECC, to give a 1024Mb of memory.

This is the recommended memory for many systems that run on 533fsb.

If your desktop is in Dell Dimension 8250 series, 8200 (533fsb) or your motherboard is Asus P4T533-C, or you have a Precision Workstation 340 or 350 running with 533fsb, you should use these 800-40 RDRAM to make the most of them. However, it is wise to check, to reassure yourself before bidding, by putting in a Google search against your machine, to check with the manufacturer that the memory is the right one for you.

----------------

As always, the manufacturer's site was useless. I have searched everywhere and can find nothing on if my system being a Dell Dimension 8200 (533fsb), I even took the step of taking my computer apart in the hope of finding '533fsb' written somewhere- to no avail. Now, I know it is an 8200. But is it a 533fsb?

Now am I just worrying about nothing, as my computer is obviously compatible, or is there somewhere you know of where I can find out? If you require any more info give details and I'll reply asap.

Thanks in advance

Schqwnbean
 
Z

ZeroRift

Member
Apr 13, 2005
195
6
81
It generally is not a good idea to put fast ram in a slow system. It can eat up a lot of voltage from a powersupply that probably wasn't rated for it. Also, you will not get any more speed out of your ram than what your system bus can handle. For instance, the ram you're looking at was rated for 533mhz fsb, but you only have a 100mhhz fsb, thus you will loose 433mhz of speed even if it runs correctly in your system. I would insted invest in pc 133 ram. It's a lot cheaper than what your looking at, and you won't have compatibility issues with it. Another thing to consider is that mainboards have limits on how much ram you can put into each slot. I doubt your system can handel 512mb in one of its slot just by what specs you listed. Not only that, but you will probably not use a gb of ram with that computer. I have an older 1.4ghz system, and a total of 512 works just fine in high performance application.

Regardless of this though, Dell will often replace out of date hardware for free. At least I've heard of this. I'm not sure if they will, but its something to look into.

Finally, more ram will help in running more applications at once, or with running software that eats a lot of memory, like sound/video editing. It won't make that much difference on how fast applicatoins start. That is a bottleneck with your fsb, and the only way to upgrade that with your system would be to get a whole new computer. More ram will help though, if only by a little.
 
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Schqwnbean

Junior Member
Jun 13, 2005
4
0
0
Around 60% of my computer use is on online games; and I've found that I got one hell of a lot of lag. I know my broadband speed is fine (I had all this checked out), so I just assumed it to be my graphics card and RAM which were the problem.

Thanks very much for the advice though- I think you just saved me a lotta cash :) I'll look further into that free hardware replacement idea... And if I find nothing I'll grab 256 or 512kb of memory more and be done with it :)

Next week.. the video card...

Thanks again

Schqwnbean
 
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stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
7,036
8
81
I find the description of that ram to be questionable, the part number indicates it's PC800 RDRAM, while the description is saying it's PC1066.adding more ram will certainly be helpful for gaming, but the video card is extremely important as well, and any modern graphics card will be bottlenecked by the 1.8ghz P4. RDRAM is generaly very expensive as well, I've seen 256mb modules that cost more than a gig of pc3200 DDR..
 
P

ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
0
Beware! PC133 is generally SDRAM, and is not compatible with DDR or RDRAM-based systems. There are also two kinds of RDRAM, a 16 bit and a 32 bit kind, which are not compatible. Your system probably takes 16 bit RDRAM in pairs, so the 32 bit RDRAM will not work.
 
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BadThad

Lifer
Feb 22, 2000
12,100
49
91
Originally posted by: ProviaFan
Beware! PC133 is generally SDRAM, and is not compatible with DDR or RDRAM-based systems. There are also two kinds of RDRAM, a 16 bit and a 32 bit kind, which are not compatible. Your system probably takes 16 bit RDRAM in pairs, so the 32 bit RDRAM will not work.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY! First off, you must have EXACTLY the correct RDRAM modules and they MUST be installed in pairs. I'd bet you can call Dell or check their website for the proper type of RDRAM that goes in that system. As an experienced RDRAM user in the past, I would say it probably takes 16-bit, PC800 RDRAM. Do not attempt to use PC1066 nor 32-bit RDRAM or your system won't even boot.

That said, you'll probably find it cheaper to dump your RDRAM system and buy a new system with DDR.

BTW - Zero RIFT is WAY off target, he's talking about DDR and PC133, not RAMBUS.

 
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Schqwnbean

Junior Member
Jun 13, 2005
4
0
0
Originally posted by: BadThad
As an experienced RDRAM user in the past, I would say it probably takes 16-bit, PC800 RDRAM. Do not attempt to use PC1066 nor 32-bit RDRAM or your system won't even boot.
Click to expand...

Yes its 16bit pc800.
 
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nweaver

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2001
6,813
1
0
Sometimes, but the warranty is usually cheaper too :)

Crucial has a good industry rep for a reason, they make quality products and stand behind them. I have used non crucual ram, and there are some good vendors, but for a no hassle deal of finding/buying/returning bad it's very hard to beat them.
 
B

BadThad

Lifer
Feb 22, 2000
12,100
49
91
Originally posted by: nweaver
Sometimes, but the warranty is usually cheaper too :)

Crucial has a good industry rep for a reason, they make quality products and stand behind them. I have used non crucual ram, and there are some good vendors, but for a no hassle deal of finding/buying/returning bad it's very hard to beat them.
Click to expand...

The listed vendors sell CRUCIAL for cheaper than the crucial.com website.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
Disregard the quoted post entirely. As others said, just go to crucial to find the correct type of memory, and then use the crucial part numbers to find a better price if you can.

The below is pretty much completely wrong.

Originally posted by: Zero RIFT
It generally is not a good idea to put fast ram in a slow system. It can eat up a lot of voltage from a powersupply that probably wasn't rated for it. Also, you will not get any more speed out of your ram than what your system bus can handle. For instance, the ram you're looking at was rated for 533mhz fsb, but you only have a 100mhhz fsb, thus you will loose 433mhz of speed even if it runs correctly in your system. I would insted invest in pc 133 ram. It's a lot cheaper than what your looking at, and you won't have compatibility issues with it. Another thing to consider is that mainboards have limits on how much ram you can put into each slot. I doubt your system can handel 512mb in one of its slot just by what specs you listed. Not only that, but you will probably not use a gb of ram with that computer. I have an older 1.4ghz system, and a total of 512 works just fine in high performance application.

Regardless of this though, Dell will often replace out of date hardware for free. At least I've heard of this. I'm not sure if they will, but its something to look into.

Finally, more ram will help in running more applications at once, or with running software that eats a lot of memory, like sound/video editing. It won't make that much difference on how fast applicatoins start. That is a bottleneck with your fsb, and the only way to upgrade that with your system would be to get a whole new computer. More ram will help though, if only by a little.
Click to expand...

 
P

ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
0
Originally posted by: stevty2889
Cruicial doesn't do RDRAM, so crucial won't be much help in his case..
Click to expand...
As I found when trying to help somebody else on a listserv with their RDRAM-using system... Newegg still has a small selection of RDRAM, but a pair of 512MB modules costs so much that you might as well build an entirely new system with DDR SDRAM instead for not much more, if that.
 
Z

ZeroRift

Member
Apr 13, 2005
195
6
81
My deepest appollogy to Schqwnbean. I was not thinking RDRAM. Thanks to all who called my error.
 
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