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Computer RAM question.

RUGERGUNZ
I have a Dell Dimension E310 with 2-512mb sticks running at 400mhz.

I am very interested in upgrading to 2-1gb sticks. (2gb is this computers maximum)

Here is my conundrum. I searched Crucial.com and they recommend and sell 2-1gb sticks running at 533mhz for $52.

I searched ebay and found an auction for 2 Kingston 1gb sticks that run at 667mhz, this would be the best and fastest memory I have found. $50 shipped.





My question is are some computers limited to how fast the RAM can run? I would like the Kingston memory but don't want to find out it won't run in my computer. Please let me know if either memory is alright for my computer. Thanks

Here are some links

Crucial - http://crucial.com/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=B8DE169D31D926C3

Ebay Kingston - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320210969022&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011












PS - If I do repower with RAM, I will probably have a giveaway with my old RAM.
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Comments

28 comments

Date Votes
  • mowart
    On the earlier PCs, people would buy all this high speed ram without realizing it was limited to a 256k (or so) buss board speed. Same principle may still apply.
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  • 11BravoCrunchie
    www.newegg.com That's where I bought my RAM cards.
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  • iwannausername
    The speed rating on RAM (pc100, pc133, pc2100, etc) are all references to the bus speed. It must be fast enough for your bus, if it is a 400mhz P2 chip then you need PC100. You can use faster stuff in the same form factor (for example, PC133 in a 100mhz bus machine) but you won't get any speed/performance increase, other than what you'd get for just having the more RAM.


    If you look on the back of your computer, there is a letter/number service tag code. Post that and I can tell you exactly what speed ram you need, etc. (or you can put the number in at http://supoort.dell.com and get the same info)
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  • kyplumber
    is that a laptop? I imagine it is.. I would ebay me a new laptop 400mhz is just too old to run windows effectively.

    There are some really good deals on ebay, that is what I would do.

    the only way to use that laptop in its current state of OLD is to run linux on it, but I doubt you will do that ;)
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  • slipgate
    2GB of memory on that system will make 0 performance difference from your current 1GB.

    Don't waste your money.
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  • Wulfmann
    You are not giving us enough information to help you.
    Imagine me asking if a 180gr bullet would improve my rifle over a 150 gr without mentioning the barrel twist or even the caliber.

    We would need more specs to advise but since you did not know to do that I advise you buy nothing as it likely will not help kinda like a funnel the info passes through just putting more on top of the funnel will not make it go through faster.

    I also am a Newegg guy and building a new PC is like hooking up a stereo anymore. If you have never done it when you do it will amaze you that people buy these already built, but, IMO

    So is yours a PC100 133 DDR 400 PC 3200??? What????

    Wulfmann
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    quote:
    If you look on the back of your computer, there is a letter/number service tag code. Post that and I can tell you exactly what speed ram you need, etc. (or you can put the number in at http://supoort.dell.com and get the same info)


    Service Tag is F1MS891
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    The RAM I have now is DDR2 PC3200

    The RAM from Micron is DDR2 PC4200 and I am certain this will work.

    The RAM at ebay is DDR2 PC5200 and is the fastes but I am not certain it will work with my system. This is my main question, will a DELL Dimension E310 run PC5200 ram?

    My processer is 2.8GHZ P4. I am pretty sure the FSB is 800Mhz.
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  • Blackguns
    According to the Dell website your PC can run 667Mhz.
    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=6436&l=en&s=gen&mfgpid=167558&chassisid=8235

    A lot of the Dell systems I have worked on seem to have lower speed ram on a motherboard that can support higher, I would recommend getting the 667, and I'm sure 2gb will be plenty more than you will need; unless your gaming or using graphic design software.

    Also here is a link to Newegg that has some 1gb sticks in case you miss the ebay auction.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147+1052408745+1052307858&name=1GB
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    Thanks Blackguns!
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  • 1911a1-fan
    newegg is the way to go, you can get 2 matched sticks of ocz gold for what 1 stick from crucial will cost you


    and yes you will notice a great improvement over 1 gig, anytime you can use hard ram over virtual memory your better off, it reads 80-100x faster, as far as using the higher speed ram it will default to the fsb speed, however it will run cooler, and in other systems than dell {proprietary bios} you can overclock the ram, and raise the voltage and cas latency{vista runs 750megs sitting idle}
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    Thanks again guys.

    I just ordered through NewEgg.

    Got two sticks of Crucial 667mhz ram for $23 each but they have a rebate of $8 each so basically $15 each.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146571



    I mainly stuck with Crucial because it is the only brand of RAM I really know and was unsure of some of the others.
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  • 1911a1-fan
    quote:Originally posted by RUGERGUNZ
    Thanks again guys.

    I just ordered through NewEgg.

    Got two sticks of Crucial 667mhz ram for $23 each but they have a rebate of $8 each so basically $15 each.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146571



    I mainly stuck with Crucial because it is the only brand of RAM I really know and was unsure of some of the others.


    crucial is ok so is kingston, ocz is a high performance ram with a lower cas latency {faster read write cache speeds}, you did good on the price

    download this program, it will tell you everything about the cpu, mobo, and ram your puter has, speed, fsb, the core structure of your cpu, mobo, cas latency, manufacturer of the chips on your ram, day date of components, it is really a usefull tool, it's not a benchmark or as good as sisandra but it is very neat

    http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

    read the page, the download is just to the left cpu-z 1.43, it is neat to see the difference when you swap that ram over, it is a zip file


    {if your mhz looks low remember it uses a multiplier, example: a 1 gig cpu uses a 90mhz speed x11} the multiplier will be listed
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  • slipgate
    Don't be surprised if they do not work. I bought non-dell chips and they did not work even though they were the correct PC4200 or whatever memory. They need to be made for your chipset. I ended up just buying them from Dell for twice the price.
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  • spanielsells
    That's because you have to make sure your computer can run both high-density chips and low-density chips. I forget which is the less common, but those cheaper ones are commonly the less-common.

    You may find that the cheaper chips won't run on your system at all.
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    1911a1fan - Thanks for the program, good info and easy to use.

    I'm pretty confident that the memory will work, I have added Micron memory to my old Dell laptop, then transferred it into an old Gateway. If it doesn't work NewEgg looks to have a good return policy.
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  • 1911a1-fan
    quote:Originally posted by slipgate
    Don't be surprised if they do not work. I bought non-dell chips and they did not work even though they were the correct PC4200 or whatever memory. They need to be made for your chipset. I ended up just buying them from Dell for twice the price.


    thats funny right there {sorry}dell doesn't make a damn thing for computers they compile a computer from parts from the lowest bidder, sure they have a sticker or label on them or their name shows on bios, but they don't make parts {you ether got ahold of a bad stick or 2, or it just wasn't compatible}

    take the link above provided by blackguns

    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=6436&l=en&s=gen&mfgpid=167558&chassisid=8235


    now take the part number that is provided, {Manufacturer Part# SNPU8622C/1G}, type it in to google you will see that particular ram is KINGSTON, 19.99 from newegg

    ram chips {the actual chips on the stick} is traded on the market like gold etc. this is why price fluctuates, there are only 2 companies that make them, it is what the ram manufacture does with them that is important, it is a good ideal to double check compatibility



    back to dell, there is not a part in it you cannot buy the exact part from another source for half price, and their proprietary bios really sucks
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    1911a1fan

    I'm playing around with the program and have a few concerns/questions.

    It says my bus speed is app. 200mhz but that the Rated FSB is app. 800mhz. I don't see a multiplier for this figure.

    Also it says my ram is 512mb PC3200(200mhz). I thought that PC3200 was supposed to be 400mhz.

    Any ideas?

    I'm very interested to run this program and pcpitstop after I install the new ram.
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  • scrumpyjack
    Q: CPU-Z reports my CPU speed below its stock frequency.
    A: This is the effect of the CPU power reduction mechanism : C1E (Enhanced Halt State) and/or EIST (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology) for Intel CPUs, Cool'n'Quiet and or PowerNow! for AMD CPUs. Load your system and you will see the frequency increase to its nominal value.


    Q: Why does CPU-Z misreport my memory module specification ? For example, my DDR PC3500 is reported as PC3200.
    A: The SDR and DDR theorical bandwidth is computed using the module access time information for the maximal CAS# latency value, included in the SPD area. If the computed bandwidth is lower than the one specified on the memory module, that means in most cases that the SPD information on the module is not correctly programmed, and does not mean that the memory module does not handle its specifications.
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  • 1911a1-fan
    quote:It says my bus speed is app. 200mhz but that the Rated FSB is app. 800mhz. I don't see a multiplier for this figure.

    it should read


    clocks{core#-}

    core speed ***mhz

    multiplier X***

    bus speed ***mhz

    rated fsb *** mhz


    quote:Also it says my ram is 512mb PC3200(200mhz). I thought that PC3200 was supposed to be 400mhz.


    your frequency is again multiplied in your case X4 {memory tab} = rated 800fsb on the first page {cpu tab}, don't be let down this is the way it has always worked


    this is part of some of the issues i have debated here in the past, and no one understands so they do not believe me when i express issues such as ram or one cpu over the other, all those things that look greek to you are some of the things i have tried to explain here in the past
    that top half of the first page {cpu tab} is a very crucial part in picking one cpu over another, take for instance a p4 2.8 one may have a monroe core {next to code name} and another p4 2.8 may have a williamette core, the later will outperform the other because the nm is lower {next to technology} one will run more efficient and cooler expanding the over all life

    go to the spd tab, this will break down your ram {the frequency rating are for stepping, only conern the highest one} this page will break down everything, your cas latency is what you need to look at when choosing the perfect ram {example 5-5-5-15} this is very important beyond the typical pc3200 rating you hear about, the newer technology is very very dependent on all that i mentioned if you want to get the most out of your system, and make it last

    thanks for listening, i don't experience that often here
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    Thanks again 1911a1fan.

    My processor is a Pentium 4 521

    Code Name Prescott

    90nm

    On the SPD page there are three CAS latency's listed

    3,4,5

    All of them have
    3,3,8,11

    Is this good or bad? I just hope to get a little better performance when I up the RAM. My bottleneck will be the video card I have.
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  • 1911a1-fan
    quote:Originally posted by RUGERGUNZ
    Thanks again 1911a1fan.

    My processor is a Pentium 4 521

    Code Name Prescott

    90nm

    On the SPD page there are three CAS latency's listed

    3,4,5

    All of them have
    3,3,8,11

    Is this good or bad? I just hope to get a little better performance when I up the RAM. My bottleneck will be the video card I have.


    prescot is known to run hot depending on the "stepping" "do" runs the coolest over "co", northwood runs even cooler, but prescot is fine at stock speed w/stock cooling, the newer core2duo, and others have a 65nm technology, and runs extremly cooler than the older 90nm, but the best feature is it has{yours} a internal thermal shut down, and will shut it down before it fries itself, and it does have hyperthreading capability, if it is turned on in bios, and the ram allows it {hyperthreading is close to duo core as you can get}

    as long as both you cas #'s match {slot#1 etc, drop down menue upper left on the spd page}, they must be matched 100%, the numbers are not much of a issue until you get into high performance, number value can vary from manufacturer, 555 with on brand may outperform 444 from another, each has to be looked at per individual set up, voltage, thats a thread by itself {lol}

    what socket is your mobo 478 or 775?
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    Socket is 775 LGA.

    I am way above my head here and am lost on what this all means. I can't afford a new computer and am reasonably happy with this Dell, just buying the RAM for more speed and S+Giggles.

    I was just playing around and pulled one of the 512mb of Ram and played around for a bit. The computer wasn't terrible but was definitely lagging from the total 1gb.
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  • scrumpyjack
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031

    $125 much better spent than your extra gig of ram.......but you can never have too much ram[:D]
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  • 1911a1-fan
    quote:Originally posted by RUGERGUNZ
    Socket is 775 LGA.

    I am way above my head here and am lost on what this all means. I can't afford a new computer and am reasonably happy with this Dell, just buying the RAM for more speed and S+Giggles.

    I was just playing around and pulled one of the 512mb of Ram and played around for a bit. The computer wasn't terrible but was definitely lagging from the total 1gb.


    775 is great if you look at the {mainboard tab}, and your chipset is 965 or higher you can put a core2duo cpu in it, there will be no further upgrading needed, your puter will fly and never so much as cough during you running every program you have at the same time, and a better graphics card if your not happy with that one, but with what you have you have a good congiguration, my only concern is if hyperthreading is turned on in bios/setup

    if you really want to test your machine sisandra is the industry standard, but i warn you if there is a problem it will find it, it test your machine by running everything to its limit {kind of like testing a engine for horspower} lite version is free

    http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/?dir=dload&location=sware_dl_3264


    don't fret getting in over your head is how you learn
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    quote:Originally posted by scrumpyjack
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031

    $125 much better spent than your extra gig of ram.......but you can never have too much ram[:D]



    I may do something like this in the future. I am actually interested in building my own computer from scratch but that is a ways off.

    Why would this processor be better than mine? It is a slower processor speed but has a much larger L2 Cache. Is the L2 cache that important?
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  • RUGERGUNZ
    1911a1fan

    The chipset is only i915p/i915g, does this limit the cpu upgrades?
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  • 1911a1-fan
    quote:Originally posted by RUGERGUNZ
    1911a1fan

    The chipset is only i915p/i915g, does this limit the cpu upgrades?



    damn! unfortunately yes it limits you to a max fsb of 800, it would defeat the purpose of a core2duo as it is rated at 1066 fsb, you will get equal performance with what you have in the long run, BUT YOU CAN GO RAID with the ICH6R chipset{lol}
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