Advice requested concerning RDRAM...

[Steve Reeves]

Hi all

I have done quite a bit of digging regarding this subject but I am still
left unsure as to what I need to do.

I have an Intel D850EMV2 mobo with a P4 running 2.53Ghz (533FSB) and 2 x
256Mb non-ECC Pc800-45 RDRAM (I know this RAM should be 40ns - but
that's how it came and it seems to work ok!)

I would like to upgrade this RAM with another 512Mb. So all I need is:

2 x 256Mb Pc800-40 (non-ECC or ECC - don't think it matters as I am not
bothered about ECC functionality).

My question regard the pinouts. According to the manual thise RIMMs are
in fact 168 pin RIMMS. The only compatible RIMMS I have tracked down
(and on eBay for that matter) are 184 pin - so presumably they won't
work.

My question is firstly - am I missing the point - will 184 pin RIMMS
work?

Secondly, if they won't, then has anybody got any suggestions where I
might get some 168 pin RIMMS of this spec.

Many many thanks for any help here - spent quite a bit of time
researching but still not 100% certain on what I need to do.

Regards

 

[Bob Day]

Hi all

I have done quite a bit of digging regarding this subject but I am still
left unsure as to what I need to do.

I have an Intel D850EMV2 mobo with a P4 running 2.53Ghz (533FSB) and 2 x
256Mb non-ECC Pc800-45 RDRAM (I know this RAM should be 40ns - but
that's how it came and it seems to work ok!)

I would like to upgrade this RAM with another 512Mb. So all I need is:

2 x 256Mb Pc800-40 (non-ECC or ECC - don't think it matters as I am not
bothered about ECC functionality).

My question regard the pinouts. According to the manual thise RIMMs are
in fact 168 pin RIMMS. The only compatible RIMMS I have tracked down
(and on eBay for that matter) are 184 pin - so presumably they won't
work.

My question is firstly - am I missing the point - will 184 pin RIMMS
work?

Secondly, if they won't, then has anybody got any suggestions where I
might get some 168 pin RIMMS of this spec.

You could always pull out a module and count the pins,
but you don't really need to. Just go to
http://www.4allmemory.com/ and use their memory
configurer to find the correct memory for your
computer.

-- Bob Day
http://bobday.vze.com

 

[wooducoodu]

crucial didnt have it but simple does.

http://www.simpletech.com/upgNav/index.php?ProfileID=330&Manufacturer=&Machine=&Model=47166

for what they're charging i'd rather build a whole new system.

 

[Tool]

First off, are you positive its 168 pins and its rimm? I may be a
touch out of date here but I always read that if you have 168 pins
you have straight DDR ram but if its 184 pins its RIMM. Either way,
give me some time and I'll look around and get back on this.

==============
Posted through www.HowToFixComputers.com/bb - free access to hardware troubleshooting newsgroups.

 

[Steve Reeves]

Hi all

Thanks for the replies - very fasy too - much appreciated.

As suggested I have physically yanked out a RIMM (well the CRIMM
actually - thought it'd be less risky!) And counted those blasted pins -
there are 184.

So, you guys and every other website in thw world is right and the intel
manual is wrong! Ye-gawds!

So, I now know I need 184 pins.

I do have one more question. My exisiting RAM is Pc800-45ns NON-ECC
(with my CPU running 2.53Ghz and 533FSB).

I was looking to populate the last 2 remaining banks with Pc800-40ns ECC
(since this appears most available and fully compliant with a 533fsb).

My exisiting 45ns Pc800 sticks by rights shouldn't run with the 533FSB -
(the book says they should be 40ns on a 533fsb) but they have not caused
me any problems in 2 years and so I don't plan to change them.

Will the differeing response time and differeing ECC be a problem as
long as I use Pc800 RDRAM?

Thanks again for any advice.

Steve

 

[Bob Day]

Hi all

Thanks for the replies - very fasy too - much appreciated.

As suggested I have physically yanked out a RIMM (well the CRIMM
actually - thought it'd be less risky!) And counted those blasted pins -
there are 184.

So, you guys and every other website in thw world is right and the intel
manual is wrong! Ye-gawds!

So, I now know I need 184 pins.

I do have one more question. My exisiting RAM is Pc800-45ns NON-ECC
(with my CPU running 2.53Ghz and 533FSB).

I was looking to populate the last 2 remaining banks with Pc800-40ns ECC
(since this appears most available and fully compliant with a 533fsb).

My exisiting 45ns Pc800 sticks by rights shouldn't run with the 533FSB -
(the book says they should be 40ns on a 533fsb) but they have not caused
me any problems in 2 years and so I don't plan to change them.

Will the differeing response time and differeing ECC be a problem as
long as I use Pc800 RDRAM?

Mixing ECC and non-ECC *should* be OK. For the ECC to do its
ECC "thing" though, all of the modules must be ECC. Mixing speeds
is a lot more iffy. You may need to put the slower modules in the
lowest numbered slots so the BIOS will pick up their SPD. You
might also need to mess around with the memory speed settings in
the BIOS. I've had good luck with www.4allmemory.com. You might
call them on the phone and see what they advise, and whether you can
exchange the memory if the modules you end up buying don't work.

-- Bob Day
http://bobday.vze.com

 

[Steve Reeves]

Hi Bob,

You have rather confirmed my gut feel on the subject. I have as you
suggested emailed 4allmemory.com and see what they say. I am actually in
the UK - have asked how this might affect the warranty.

Many thanks again for your help.

Steve