RAM upgrade?

[David]

Hello,

I have a Dell Dimension 8300 with P4 HT processor at 2.8 GHz and 800 MHz
front side bus. I have the standard 256MB (128 x 2) dual channel DDR SDRAM
at 400 MHz. I want to upgrade it to 1GB. I understand that I have to
purchase two 512MB. I have been looking around and realize that they come
with something like PC 2100 all the way to PC 3200. What is this and what
should I get? I tried calling Dell tech support and the guy couldn't help
me and told me it doesn't matter getting either 2100, 2700 or 3200. Is this
true? Please help. Thanks

David

 

[Dumpster]

| Hello,
|
| I have a Dell Dimension 8300 with P4 HT processor at 2.8 GHz and 800
MHz
| front side bus. I have the standard 256MB (128 x 2) dual channel DDR
SDRAM
| at 400 MHz. I want to upgrade it to 1GB. I understand that I have to
| purchase two 512MB. I have been looking around and realize that they
come
| with something like PC 2100 all the way to PC 3200. What is this and
what
| should I get? I tried calling Dell tech support and the guy couldn't
help
| me and told me it doesn't matter getting either 2100, 2700 or 3200.
Is this
| true? Please help. Thanks
|
| David
|
|

See if this helps you--
http://www.crucial.com/store/listmfgr.asp?cat=RAM

 

[Graham Dinsdale]

The 800 Mhz FSB is actually 4 times the "system clock speed"(not sure of the
correct term here). So this speed is 200 Mhz (800Mhz/4), and since you use
DDR(Double Data Rate) SDRAM this is clocked at 400Mhz (2 * 200Mhz). PC3200
is the type of memory which utilises this clock speed, as shown below.

PC2100 = 266Mhz (2*133Mhz)
PC2700 = 333Mhz (2*166Mhz)
PC3200 = 400Mhz (2*200Mhz)

PC2100 and PC2700 memory will work in your system but will slow down any
PC3200 memory you have to their clock speed(e.g. if you install some PC2100
then any PC3200 you have in the system will be "throttled back" to only
266Mhz).

So in answer to your question, get PC3200 memory.

HTH

Graham

 

[DaveW]

You need 400 MHz PC 3200 RAM for your system. And, YES, it does make a
difference.

Hope this helps

 

[David]

Thanks to those that replied me. I will go and get the PC 3200. Also, the
Dell support guy told me to mention all I need is the non ecc ones. What
ever that means?

David

 

[Big Mac]

The 800 Mhz FSB is actually 4 times the "system clock speed"(not sure of the
correct term here). So this speed is 200 Mhz (800Mhz/4), and since you use
DDR(Double Data Rate) SDRAM this is clocked at 400Mhz (2 * 200Mhz). PC3200
is the type of memory which utilises this clock speed, as shown below.
[snip]
So in answer to your question, get PC3200 memory.

While I got you guys here, I'd like to ask a question about my pc2700
DDR memory. I have two 512 MB sticks or chips, for a 1 gig total (not
that it will matter for your response, but the computer is an
eMachines, model T3265, 3200+ Athalon, running at 2.2 GHz)

It came originally with a 512 MB chip, a Samsung. It's listed BUS
speed is only 166 MHz. I guess it is non-error-correcting, but I am
not sure. The newer chip I put in there is a Patriot. It's listed
BUS speed is 333 MHz. OK, as I understand it. it is supposed to be
OK, & the faster 333 MHz chip bottlenecks down to 166 MHz. And yes, a
computer checking program tells me they're both running at 167 MHz.

Now, I'll add in right here, that the major reason I am asking this,
is because I have started to get unexpected/intermittent reboots - a
complete reboot of my computer, then all is Ok - and it may not happen
for several days at a time.. I can be doing anything on it. (I am on
cable Internet, so I am always connected. I do shut off the computer
at night).

Anyways - is there any chance this added 512 MB chip can be causing
the problem?

When I 1st got the new Patriot 512, I put it in the 2nd unoccupied
slot, and my computer didn't recognize there was any memory in there.
So, I removed the original Samsung 512 & put in the patriot 512,
booted, and it recognized the Patriot 512. Then I added back in the
slower BUS speed Samsung into the second slot, and it then recognized
the whole 1 gig, and ever since I've had 1 gig reported.

I am about to re-format/re-install Windows XP (in a couple of days).
Since I can't trace the problem, because it is so intermittent, I have
to start trying out stuff.

Thanks for any reply - anything you might want to add that I didn't
even talk or think about, go ahead and input it.

Big Mac

 

[JT]

The 800 Mhz FSB is actually 4 times the "system clock speed"(not sure of the
correct term here). So this speed is 200 Mhz (800Mhz/4), and since you use
DDR(Double Data Rate) SDRAM this is clocked at 400Mhz (2 * 200Mhz). PC3200
is the type of memory which utilises this clock speed, as shown below.
[snip]
So in answer to your question, get PC3200 memory.

While I got you guys here, I'd like to ask a question about my pc2700
DDR memory. I have two 512 MB sticks or chips, for a 1 gig total (not
that it will matter for your response, but the computer is an
eMachines, model T3265, 3200+ Athalon, running at 2.2 GHz)

It came originally with a 512 MB chip, a Samsung. It's listed BUS
speed is only 166 MHz. I guess it is non-error-correcting, but I am
not sure. The newer chip I put in there is a Patriot. It's listed
BUS speed is 333 MHz. OK, as I understand it. it is supposed to be
OK, & the faster 333 MHz chip bottlenecks down to 166 MHz. And yes, a
computer checking program tells me they're both running at 167 MHz.

Now, I'll add in right here, that the major reason I am asking this,
is because I have started to get unexpected/intermittent reboots - a
complete reboot of my computer, then all is Ok - and it may not happen
for several days at a time.. I can be doing anything on it. (I am on
cable Internet, so I am always connected. I do shut off the computer
at night).

Anyways - is there any chance this added 512 MB chip can be causing
the problem?

When I 1st got the new Patriot 512, I put it in the 2nd unoccupied
slot, and my computer didn't recognize there was any memory in there.
So, I removed the original Samsung 512 & put in the patriot 512,
booted, and it recognized the Patriot 512. Then I added back in the
slower BUS speed Samsung into the second slot, and it then recognized
the whole 1 gig, and ever since I've had 1 gig reported.

I am about to re-format/re-install Windows XP (in a couple of days).
Since I can't trace the problem, because it is so intermittent, I have
to start trying out stuff.

Thanks for any reply - anything you might want to add that I didn't
even talk or think about, go ahead and input it.

Big Mac

First, the Samsung is listing the real buss speed, 166 and the Patriot is
listing the "ddr" speed of 333.

Next, run a good memory diagnostic like memtest86, all tests and for a
number of passes. Will take a while.

Also check your memory timing in the bios. Check the CAS setting at least.
might need to set it manually

JT

 

[Graham Dinsdale]

ECC is just to do with error checking (I think). ECC memory is *supposedly*
better quality but it costs a lot more and with modern production techniques
it doesn't make a whole lot of difference. It's primarily used in servers
etc. where data integrity is important, for the home user Non-ECC is fine.

HTH

Graham

 

[Mike Walsh]

ECC is Error Checking and Correcting. ECC memory should be used if you want maximum reliability and stability. It is rare for a home PC to have ECC memory unless you special order it or build it yourself. ECC memory will have more chips on the DIMM, e.g. 5 chips instead of 4, or 9 chips instead of 8. If ECC memory is used on a motherboard without ECC support the memory will still work, but without the ECC feature.

 

[CBFalconer]

ECC is just to do with error checking (I think). ECC memory is
*supposedly* better quality but it costs a lot more and with
modern production techniques it doesn't make a whole lot of
difference. It's primarily used in servers etc. where data
integrity is important, for the home user Non-ECC is fine.

This is a very poor attitude. In principle, ECC memory costs
12.5% more than non-ECC; in practice it is slightly more because
of volume. The fundamental memory chips are the same. ECC can
effectively use much poorer memory and attain better reliability
with it.

The first time a soft memory error trashes your complete HD, and
all its backups (if any) in such a manner that you don't even
discover it for six months, you will find the virtues in insisting
on ECC everywhere. Yes, it may never happen to you. Don't buy
any automobile or health insurance either, and do run all red
lights.

 

[Trent©]

The first time a soft memory error trashes your complete HD,

How would this happen?


Have a nice week...

Trent©

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!

 

[Trent©]

Hello,

I have a Dell Dimension 8300 with P4 HT processor at 2.8 GHz and 800 MHz
front side bus. I have the standard 256MB (128 x 2) dual channel DDR SDRAM
at 400 MHz. I want to upgrade it to 1GB. I understand that I have to
purchase two 512MB.

Depends on your slots. If you have 2 open slots...one on each
channel...you can buy 2 for the upgrade...and just add them...i.e.,
you can add another 2 256's.

But, yes...you should get 2 to equal the total that you want.

Hope you got the 1 meg cache...they're nice.

I have been looking around and realize that they come
with something like PC 2100 all the way to PC 3200. What is this and what
should I get?

If yer gonna replace what you've got, get the 3200.

I tried calling Dell tech support and the guy couldn't help
me and told me it doesn't matter getting either 2100, 2700 or 3200. Is this
true? Please help. Thanks

As far as RUNNING? No...it doesn't matter. Any of those should work.

BUT...if you want the OPTIMUM from your system...get the 3200's.

Good luck.


Have a nice week...

Trent©

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!

 

[CBFalconer]

How would this happen?

During a disk compaction operation, a soft error from a cosmic ray
fouls the copy of the disk compaction program proper. It does
this by altering one bit in a buffer between loading and writing.
Nothing can detect the occurence at the time. However the
compaction proceeds properly, because it isn't using the fouled
copy, but the loaded object code. So all appears well. If you
run the equivalent of a MD5 checksum on the compaction program,
and any DLLs it may use, etc. you might detect the problem. Do
you?

At any rate, all appears well. Everything runs. You make
backups. You just don't compact your HD for the next 6 months.
When you do, it destroys the HD content.

Or maybe the fault is more subtle. It just leaves off the last 16
bytes of any file it copies. Many things apparently run, but some
of your data seems to be missing. You may notice it immediately,
or in a couple of years.

All because you saved a couple of dollars avoiding ECC.

 

[Graham Dinsdale]

"...During a disk compaction operation, a soft error from a cosmic ray
fouls the copy of the disk compaction program proper..."

I'm sorry, but this is just blatent BS. A cosmic ray? Here? At the surface
of the Earth? What type of ray is that then?

To defend (maybe clarify?) my original post i meant that ECC memory is not
often used in home systems because it is *very* rare for the type of event
described (i.e. A memory malfunction, albeit by a method other than BS
cosmic rays) to occur, and so ECC is primarily used in systems such as
servers where data integrity is especially important.

HTH

Graham

 

[kony]

I'm sorry, but this is just blatent BS. A cosmic ray? Here? At the surface
of the Earth? What type of ray is that then?

To defend (maybe clarify?) my original post i meant that ECC memory is not
often used in home systems because it is *very* rare for the type of event
described (i.e. A memory malfunction, albeit by a method other than BS
cosmic rays) to occur, and so ECC is primarily used in systems such as
servers where data integrity is especially important.

HTH

Graham

It's true regardless of whether you accept it or not.
http://www.eetimes.com/news/98/1012news/ibm.html

ECC memory is not used in home systems because of that slight additional
cost... PCs are still quite crudely built all things considered, with all
kinds of greed motivated lies/deceit/marketing that wouldn't be tolerated
in most other industries, by most consumers, except when it comes to PCs.

 

[Trent©]

It's true regardless of whether you accept it or not.
http://www.eetimes.com/news/98/1012news/ibm.html

Only the THEORY is true, of course...but good reading nonetheless.

Thanks for the link.


Have a nice week...

Trent©

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!

 

[half_pint]

The 800 Mhz FSB is actually 4 times the "system clock speed"(not sure of the
correct term here).

FSB is front side bus, which is the speed of the 'bus' on the motherboard
(between the CPU and the memory), the bus speed inside the CPU is probably
10 time faster than the 200mhz (in your example)

 

[CBFalconer]

It's true regardless of whether you accept it or not.
http://www.eetimes.com/news/98/1012news/ibm.html

ECC memory is not used in home systems because of that slight
additional cost... PCs are still quite crudely built all things
considered, with all kinds of greed motivated lies/deceit/
marketing that wouldn't be tolerated in most other industries,
by most consumers, except when it comes to PCs.

So many horses, so much water, so much leading, yet they drink
not.