512MB memory limit

The 512MB limit is inherent in the Intel 815 motherboard that is used in the 4100 series. I am not aware of any way to get around that limitation although someone may come up with some hardware add-on. But at this point I would assume that 512 is the limit.

Note: the reason the 815 motherboards have the limit is because they were intended as the low-end system motherboards from Intel. But with the problems with the 820 series and Rambus memory, Dell and other manufacturers are using the 815's in higher end machines. As far as I'm aware they work great (have 133MHz front-side bus, 4x AGP, ATA100 hard drive support) and can be very nice in a high- end system, except if you need more than 512MB of RAM.

Thanks for the info. Is Dell planning to use the 820 or some other model in the future (whenever the problems have been fixed, for example), or to put it another way, should I wait for the memory limit to go away? I'm anxious to buy a new PC, but I've waited a long time so far, so waiting a little longer won't hurt!

Actually the Dell B-series with the 820 motherboard also is limited to 512MB of RAM. The 820 was originally designed to have 3 memory slots (which would have given it 768MB capacity), but it had problems when three memory modules were installed. Due to release time pressure, Intel decided to just do away with the 3rd slot.

The 820 still might be the better bet for you if 512MB is enough because the RDRAM used on the 820 will be faster in high-end graphics programs like you are planning on using (the benefits of RDRAM vs SDRAM for most other applications are less clear). But you will be paying over twice as much for RDRAM rather than SDRAM. And for 512MB of RDRAM that's a lot.

The alternative is to go with another, non-Intel, motherboard that has greater RAM capacity (but they will all use SDRAM not RDRAM). But you can't get those from Dell (strictly Intel here) and I really don't know what your best bet in terms of motherboard or computer manufacturer might be.

If it is more RAM you want, see if you can find a T series Dimension in Dell's Factory Outlet. That model can go up to 800MHz P3 and 3x256MB SDRAM.


"Logic is the beginning of wisdom."

D266 / I3200 / T450 / T500
Xircom PortStation USB Hub
Logitech QuickCam Pro USB/WingMan Force Feedback USB/WingMan Gamepad Extreme USB
Iomega ZIP100 USB/ZIP250 PCMCIA+USB
Wacom PenPartner USB
HP ScanJet 6200C USB

The problem with the T series is that they use the old Intel 440 motherboards which have high RAM capacities but don't support the 133MHz front-side bus (the speed at which the RAM talks to the cpu). They also don't support the faster ATA-66 and ATA-100 hard drive speeds. And, someone correct me if I'm wrong, they also don't support the 4x AGP speed.

That's why Intel is replacing them with the 815's. And why Dell has discontinued the series. Eventually Intel may introduce a 815 version with greater RAM capacity, but when I don't know.

Thanks again for the info.

What motherboard/chipset is used in the Precision 420 Workstation? I configured one today and it indicated a 1GB memory capacity.

Yes, you are quite correct about not supporting 4x AGP. However, the point in question is getting more RAM beyond 512MB on a 4100, and the old T series maybe an alternative to consider (hardware limitations aside) IF the extra RAM is a priority, which is still available via Dell Factory Outlet.


"Logic is the beginning of wisdom."

D266 / I3200 / T450 / T500
Xircom PortStation USB Hub
Logitech QuickCam Pro USB/WingMan Force Feedback USB/WingMan Gamepad Extreme USB
Iomega ZIP100 USB/ZIP250 PCMCIA+USB
Wacom PenPartner USB
HP ScanJet 6200C USB

Actually, I took a look and for a GB of RDRAM, Dell wants an extra $2,750. That's more than my last computer cost.

Yup you are absolutely correct, but I wanted to make sure Latte didn't 'cut off his nose to spite his face' as they say. Meaning end up with a computer that performed worse for what he wanted to do because he only focused on the RAM issue and not on the other components.

Cheers.

Yeah, that model has the Intel 840 motherboard which does support 1GB of Rambus (RDRAM) memory. The 840 was primarily intended for servers but it should work really well for your needs. But remember that RDRAM is REALLY expensive and getting 1 GB is going to add probably $2,000 to the cost of a machine.

If cost is no object, go for it. (I have a XPS B600 with RDRAM and I love the machine). But if not, I suggest checking out some other, non-Intel based systems from other manufacturers. I would point you to some possibilities but I really am not familiar with which companies might be your best bet.

Good shopping.

Thank you, both (DaleBett and ESQuire)! I've learned a few things from this conversation. Gotta go home now (it's 6pm where I live).

Hasta la vista. Have good weekends.