RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

[hidekelip]

Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to
upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and found
out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from
around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of memory
I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as
with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,
such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to
the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

Please help me out!

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "hidekelip" <[email protected]>

| Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to
| upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and found
| out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from
| around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of memory
| I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as
| with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,
| such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to
| the fact that I need such expensive memory....?
|
| Please help me out!
|

You are SOL. RDRAM is a standard that did not take off. Thus you you have to pay market
price.
You may have better luck in the used RAM market.

 

[Bob I]

If it requires RDRAM, you're stuck. I guess it boils down to how badly
you want to upgrade the memory. That issue was caused by excessive
licensing fees preventing widespread adopting of a technology.

 

[John]

Rambus (RDRAM), as far as I know, is a failed product. It's not widely
adopted and expensive as hell. They normally sell in the hundred bucks
neighborhood. Your options are pretty much leave it as is, spend hundreds of
$$$ to upgrade RAM or buy a new PC.

 

[PD43]

Please help me out!

You probably would be better off putting that money into a new
computer.

 

[HeyBub]

Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to
upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and
found out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices
vary from around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on
what size of memory I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be
around, I dont know, 50-$70 as with other types of memory. Is there
any other way I can upgrade my memory, such as using SDRAM or
someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to the fact that
I need such expensive memory....?

Please help me out!

For that much money, you can replace the motherboard with more
pocketbook-friendly RAM.

Or replace the entire computer with a much better one.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to
upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and
found
out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from
around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of
memory
I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70
as
with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my
memory,

No, there is not.

such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible,

There is *nothing* else that is compatible.

or must I surrender to
the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

Please help me out!

RDRAM is so expensive that it is price-competitive to replace the entire
system with one that uses a less expensive memory type.

Sorry to not have better news.

HTH
-pk

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 3/13/2008 1:41 PM, and on a whim, hidekelip
pounded out on the keyboard:

Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to
upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and found
out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from
around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of memory
I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as
with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,
such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to
the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

Please help me out!

I don't know where you're looking, but I just ordered six modules for
three Dimension 8200 machines that use RDRAM. 512 Meg is about $75
w/shipping. 1 gig is about $160. Check Pricewatch.com. Just don't buy
the cheapest ones. Get a name brand.

Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new computer.

--
Terry R.

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[Daave]

The date and time was 3/13/2008 1:41 PM, and on a whim, hidekelip
pounded out on the keyboard:


I don't know where you're looking, but I just ordered six modules for
three Dimension 8200 machines that use RDRAM. 512 Meg is about $75
w/shipping. 1 gig is about $160. Check Pricewatch.com. Just don't
buy
the cheapest ones. Get a name brand.

Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new
computer.

I agree.

To OP:

What kind of RAM do you currently have and how much? ECC or non-ECC (the
latter is not as expensive)? How much RAM do you want to have? How fast
is your processor (and FSB)?

 

[PD43]

I agree.

I don't.

Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "PD43" <[email protected]>


|
| I don't.
|
| Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

The Dell Precision Workstation 340 is a DOG.
I agree!

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 3/13/2008 3:44 PM, and on a whim, PD43 pounded out

I don't.

Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

Well, maybe you have a big wallet and it doesn't matter. We try to keep
workstations running and a 2.5 Mhz machine isn't outdated by a long
shot. They will run XP fine, and as long as they can do that, it's useful.

--
Terry R.

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Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 3/13/2008 3:47 PM, and on a whim, David H. Lipman
pounded out on the keyboard:

From: "PD43" <[email protected]>


|
| I don't.
|
| Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

The Dell Precision Workstation 340 is a DOG.
I agree!

Funny. A quick search on it found it was given an Editors Choice by PC
Magazine when it was rated against all other comparable midrange
workstations.

And spending $80 for 512 Meg of RAM ($160 for 1 gig) is quite a bit
different than purchasing a new computer with a pig of an OS on it.

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[hidekelip]

--
as response is always welcome...

The date and time was 3/13/2008 3:44 PM, and on a whim, PD43 pounded out


Well, maybe you have a big wallet and it doesn't matter. We try to keep
workstations running and a 2.5 Mhz machine isn't outdated by a long
shot. They will run XP fine, and as long as they can do that, it's useful.

.....yes they are....


I have a believe 256mb ram right now... I've never had a problem with that
pc, weather it being a motherboard problem, or OS issues, etc.... only once
did i do a clean reinstall of XP Pro, but because i wanted to just start off
the system fresh....not because of a hardware issue.......i've done quite a
nice job keeping it running for about i dunno 6 or 7 years now.... and it
still doesnt freeze on me or jack up for no reasons..... all it has is little
ram and a tiny hard drive... (2 tiny HDD's actually.... 20gbs each...)....
but yeah, its a good machine, that i really cant complain...... but thank you
all for your input....much appreciated...!!

 

[Bob I]

it uses ECC in matched pairs

512 at Crucial is 262 bucks

 

[Anna]

Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to
upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and
found
out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from
around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of
memory
I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70
as
with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my
memory,
such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender
to
the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

Please help me out!

I have a believe 256mb ram right now... I've never had a problem with
that
pc, weather it being a motherboard problem, or OS issues, etc.... only
once
did i do a clean reinstall of XP Pro, but because i wanted to just start
off
the system fresh....not because of a hardware issue.......i've done quite
a
nice job keeping it running for about i dunno 6 or 7 years now.... and it
still doesnt freeze on me or jack up for no reasons..... all it has is
little
ram and a tiny hard drive... (2 tiny HDD's actually.... 20gbs
each...)....
but yeah, its a good machine, that i really cant complain...... but thank
you
all for your input....much appreciated...!!

hidekelip:
Just as an aside (and not that it will help you very much!) I share your
anguish. During that relatively brief period of time some years ago when
RDRAM (RAMBUS) memory was available and at least to some extent competitive
with other then-existing types of RAM, a number of shops I was associated
with installed that type of RAM in hundreds of machines.

In my experience, a more solid & stable RAM than RDRAM couldn't be found -
even to this day. I know it sounds incredible but I can't recall a single
instance of defective RDRAM even in machines to this day that have had hard
use. Like that battery - it goes on & on & on... So I'm not surprised in the
least to hear of your experience with it over the years.

It's a pity that marketing conditions - licensing, pricing, and other
factors caused its eventual demise and virtual disappearance from the market
and thus curtailing its further development.

I noticed in one of his responses Terry indicated he or she was able to
obtain add'l RDRAM at some reasonable price. Perhaps he/she can furnish you
with the source.
Anna

 

[Daave]

it uses ECC in matched pairs

512 at Crucial is 262 bucks

True. However, OP already has a matching pair of 256MB, and there's a
good chance he only needs one more matching pair of 256MB. Assuming it
really *is* ECC (he never specified) and the FSB is 400MHz (again, he
never specified), Memory Ten has it for $59.96.

 

[Daave]

I have a believe 256mb ram right now... I've never had a problem
with that pc, weather it being a motherboard problem, or OS issues,
etc.... only once did i do a clean reinstall of XP Pro, but because
i wanted to just start off the system fresh....not because of a
hardware issue.......i've done quite a nice job keeping it running
for about i dunno 6 or 7 years now.... and it still doesnt freeze on
me or jack up for no reasons..... all it has is little ram and a tiny
hard drive... (2 tiny HDD's actually.... 20gbs each...).... but
yeah, its a good machine, that i really cant complain...... but thank
you all for your input....much appreciated...!!

ECC or non-ECC?

400MHz or 533MHz FSB?

How much do you want to buy? (How much more do you think you *need*?)

See:

http://www.memoryx.net/preworkstatn.html

 

[HeyBub]

The date and time was 3/13/2008 3:47 PM, and on a whim, David H.
Lipman pounded out on the keyboard:


Funny. A quick search on it found it was given an Editors Choice by PC
Magazine when it was rated against all other comparable midrange
workstations.

And spending $80 for 512 Meg of RAM ($160 for 1 gig) is quite a bit
different than purchasing a new computer with a pig of an OS on it.

1.5GHz, 80GB, 512MB, CD-ROM, keyboard, mouse, ethernet, etc., $199.00
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8304655#Specifications

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was 3/14/2008 6:09 AM, and on a whim, Bob I pounded
out on the keyboard:

it uses ECC in matched pairs

512 at Crucial is 262 bucks

Too much.

It's cheaper at Dell, but not by much. I just ordered 6 modules (256
each) and each pair was $75. Samsung ECC.

--
Terry R.

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