Advice for upgrading RAM

[nick1218]

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!! I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM, RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary. The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

Thanks in advance

 

[Bob I]

Run the tool here
http://www.crucial.com/

 

[John John]

You need RDRAM. Try PowerLeap, they have competitive prices and know
these Dells inside out. It still ain't cheap:

1 GB (2x512) $319.95





John

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!!

RDRAM is rare and expensive. The specialized architecture never really
caught on with the mass market.

I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM,....

RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary.

Utter nonsense. Get a new "consultant."

The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Not for a Dell, necessarily, but for your specific model, you do.

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?

Maybe, maybe not. It depends entirely upon the capabilities of your
specific motherboard.

2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?

One that your motherboard supports.

3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?

Probably not. It depends entirely upon the capabilities of your
specific motherboard. From Crucia's web-site
(http://www.crucial.com/library/ddr_vs_rdram.asp

"Rambus memory (RDRAM®) is a memory design that utilizes a different
bus structure compared to other synchronous (SDR, DDR, DDR2) memories.
Rambus memory sends less information on the data bus (which is 16 or 18
bits wide as opposed to the standard 64 or 72 bits), but it sends data
more frequently. It also reads data on both the rising and falling edges
of the clock signal, as DDR and DDR2 do. As a result, Rambus memory is
able to achieve effective data transfer speeds of 800MHz and higher.

Another difference with Rambus memory is that all memory slots in the
motherboard must be populated. Even if all the memory is contained in a
single module, the ""unused" sockets must be populated with a PCB, known
as a continuity module, to complete the circuit.

"Rambus DRAM modules are known as RIMM modules (Rambus inline memory
modules). Rambus memory supports both ECC and non-ECC applications.

"Bottom Line
Generally speaking, motherboards are built to support one type of
memory. You cannot mix and match more than one type of SDR, DDR, DDR2,
or Rambus memory on the same motherboard in any system. They will not
function and will not even fit in the same sockets. The right type of
memory to use is the one that your motherboard takes! And no matter what
type of memory you use, more is typically better. A memory upgrade is
still one of the most cost-effective ways to improve system performance."

4 - is used RAM ok to use?

If it's servicable and compatibile with your motherboard, yes.

It is absolutely essential that any new RAM module(s) be fully
compatible with both the motherboard and/or any other RAM module(s)
already in the system. Additionally, there are sometimes jumper
switches on older motherboards that need to be reset for new RAM
configurations. Consult your motherboard's manual or the
manufacturer's web site for specific instructions and compatibility
requirements.

If you cannot lay your hands upon the computer's manual and the
manufacturer doesn't provide a support web site, you can use these
utilities to help determine the correct type of RAM needed:

SiSoft's Sandra
http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.php?dir=&location=sware_dl&lang=en

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Unlimited Possibilities' AIDA32
http://forum.aumha.org/overflow/aida32.zip

Also, Crucial Memory's web site (www.crucial.com) has a database
to help to find the right RAM for your specific make and model
computer and/or motherboard. (Incidentally, Crucial is the only company
from which I ever buy RAM. I've never been disappointed.)

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Dimension+8250+(400MHz+FSB)


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Anna]

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!! I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM, RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary. The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

Thanks in advance


nick:
You're really in a bind and what a shame. Your system uses RAMBUS (RDRAM)
memory and that type of memory has virtually disappeared from the PC RAM
mass-market because of economic considerations. It's a shame in a way
because in our experience RAMBUS was an exceptionally fine RAM in the sense
of its tremendous stability and general high quality. It just never seemed
to fail even if it wasn't "the fastest kid on the block".

AFAIK, there's no practical substitute for RDRAM in your system. You can do
a Google search to see if there are any vendors still peddling that type of
RAM at affordable prices but I wouldn't be too optimistic about it. You
should, of course, check with Dell to determine what's available from that
source. You could try used sticks but just make sure you have refund
privileges with no questions asked - used RAM is a crapshoot at best but
RAMBUS could possibly be an exception in this case.

You add RDRAM in pairs and their speed should match your present memory
modules, i.e., PC-1066.

My guess is that the cost of two 512 MB RDRAM memory modules will be
out-of-proportion for a relatively modest system that you now have and most
likely you really should consider a newer system - especially at today's
relatively inexpensive prices. But give it a shot - do some research and
maybe you'll luck out.
Anna

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

1. Try with new RAM (2x512) to make sure it works. Then try adding back the
two 128s. They *should* work, but may not. RAM likes to be matched sets, and
the stuff you buy is likely to be different make from the stuff you now
have.

2. Your FSB (Front Side Bus) speed is either 400MHz or 500MHz. *That's* the
number you need to know.

3. What you want is 184-pin RIMM (and it's either PC800 or PC1000, depending
on what speed FSB you have. I don't think you can use SDRAM. See here:
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=07F503FFA5CA7304

4. If you can find used RAM of the proper specs and size to meet your needs,
it's probably OK. I don't think it will be easy to find, though. I don't see
*any* 512MB PC800 RIMM on EBay. 128 or 256 MB, only, and none used. Yes,
RIMM is expensive. About $500 is what you'll pay for your gigabyte of RAM.

Why do you think you need a full gigabyte of RAM? Doing some heavy lifting?
Massive database work? Video or other image editing (editing, not viewing)?
Most XP machines are fine with 512MB of RAM.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!! I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM, RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary. The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

Thanks in advance

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Over and above the answers you've already gotten to your specific question,
let me add another thought: how do you know that you "need to increase
[your] RAM from 256 to 1.024"? It's a rare person who can make effective use
of that much RAM. Unless you run particularly memory-hungry application,
such as photo or video editing, 1GB is probably way overkill.

Most people would not be able to tell the difference in performance between
512MB and 1GB of RAM, and many people will find that even 256MB is adequate
for their needs.

 

[jim]

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!! I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM, RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary. The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

Thanks in advance

Go to www.crucial.com and use the RAM guidance system there .

 

[RedForeman]

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

1. Probably
2. Must know what your RAM does and get equivalent speeds.
3. No, just no. Do it right...
4. used is great, provided it is working...

Sorry about your luck, but Dell stuck it to ya... they hardly make
that RAM anymore and if they do, it's pricey....

Good luck....
ps don't ya just love dell?

RedForeman

 

[Charlie]

I would suggest buying a new pc rather than the pricy ram upgrade for an
older machine.

 

[nick1218]

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!! I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM, RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary. The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

Thanks in advance

THANKS TO ALL FOR THE RESPONSES

 

[nick1218]

Over and above the answers you've already gotten to your specific question,
let me add another thought: how do you know that you "need to increase
[your] RAM from 256 to 1.024"? It's a rare person who can make effective use
of that much RAM. Unless you run particularly memory-hungry application,
such as photo or video editing, 1GB is probably way overkill.

Most people would not be able to tell the difference in performance between
512MB and 1GB of RAM, and many people will find that even 256MB is adequate
for their needs.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!! I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM, RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary. The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

Thanks in advance- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

exactly that, video editing. They recommend "at least 512" and the new
ulead-11 redcommends "at least 1g"

 

[Mike Baudoux]

Guys have you forgotten that rd ram uses rimms if you have 4 slots and only
use 2 you need 2 rimms in the empty slots and 2 512's in the other 2

Just my 2 cents worth !

Mike

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!! I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM, RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary. The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

Thanks in advance

THANKS TO ALL FOR THE RESPONSES

 

[nick1218]

Over and above the answers you've already gotten to your specific question,
let me add another thought: how do you know that you "need to increase
[your] RAM from 256 to 1.024"? It's a rare person who can make effective use
of that much RAM. Unless you run particularly memory-hungry application,
such as photo or video editing, 1GB is probably way overkill.

Most people would not be able to tell the difference in performance between
512MB and 1GB of RAM, and many people will find that even 256MB is adequate
for their needs.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Need to increase my RAM from 256 to 1.024
Have a Dell Dimension 8250
4 bays, 2 chips of 128 PC 1066 RD-RAM
Pentium 4 2.40Ghz cpu
Windows XP 5.1.2600

I use a personal consultant, just some guy who freelances. I need to
buy my new chips and have asked him, plus I have asked Dell, and even
my company's IT guy a few questions and I get conflicting answers. So
I thought I might post this

I want to buy 2 chips of 512 to add to the two open bays. Whether I
need to remove the 2 128's I get differing opinions.

Also my consultant-guy insists I find out my clock speed first before
buying and says it should be either PC100 or PC133. I ask Dell and my
company's IT guy this question and they don't seem to know what he
means by PC100 or PC133 being so important to know. Dell just says
your clock speed is 2.4Ghz. My original receipt says my RAM is PC1066
and I ask him if that could be what he needs and he says no.

But my biggest problem is RD-RAM or not RD-RAM. MY pc came with RD-RAM
and I look around and find I have to spend $500 to $800!! I was
completely shocked and am not sure I can do this now. He tells me then
get SDRAM, RDRAM is gold plated and unnecessary. The SDRAM is like ¼
the price and I can do that. But now he says "oh wait you do have to
get RD RAM for a Dell."

Now I don't know what the heck to do. If I have to get RD RAM I am
tempted to buy used RAM.

So my questions are
1- add two 512's, must I remove 128's?
2- what clock speed number must I know to buy RAM?
3- can I use RAM that isn't RD?
4 - is used RAM ok to use?

Thanks in advance- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

exactly that, video editing. They recommend "at least 512" and the new
ulead-11 redcommends "at least 1g"

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

The machine, as it is now configured, must already have space holders in the
empty slots. OP needs to either remove them and insert the additional RAM,
or leave them be and replace the smaller sticks with the larger ones.