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Dell Vostro 200 Memory Upgrade
I'm considering upgrading the memory in my computer from 4GB to 8GB. I'm fairly certain that my motherboard (G33M03) is able to handle 8GB. I was wondering if I got RAM with a different latency (most likely lower), if the motherboard would be able to use it. In addition, would the motherboard be able to use RAM of a different voltage.
Current RAM:
Samsung 4GB (4 x 1GB)
DDR2 800
CAS Latency: 6-6-6-18
Voltage: 1.8V
fireberd
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March 8th, 2011 15:00
According to Crucial memory (what we recommend for non-Dell memory as it is guaranteed to work in Dell's) max is 4GB.
HERE is the Crucial listing.
The Dell manual confirms 4GB. This is what is listed in the Dell manual for the Vostro 200. It does not list the motherboard part number and as we are users helping users we do not have access to Dell motherboard part number listings.
Memory
Type
667-MHz, 800-MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Memory connectors
four
Memory capacities
512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB
Minimum memory
512 MB
Maximum memory
4 GB
Parthros
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March 8th, 2011 19:00
Wait, I thought you said you had an Inspirion... then it would have been the same motherboard...
Parthros
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March 8th, 2011 19:00
Yeah, but there was a BIOS update, and I changed out the motherboard with one that is supposed to support 8GB (in fact, it's the same motherboard you have in your computer). Crucial only rates the first BIOS version of the motherboard, so if the BIOS update made it support 8GB, Crucial won't tell you.
Besides, my question was would the latency or voltage affect anything, or would the motherboard correct the latency/voltage?
fireberd
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March 9th, 2011 03:00
Oh, so you don't have the stock Vostro 200 motherboard? Your post subject is Vostro 200 but if you have a different motherboard installed that changes the game.
As I noted we (users) do not have access to a Dell motherboard listing so I can't say what is or isn't in that board. BIOS updates (that I've seen) do not change the amount of memory supported - that is strictly a hardware function on the board.
Parthros
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March 9th, 2011 10:00
I did say, "I'm fairly certain that my motherboard (G33M03) is able to handle 8GB." but I now realize that I did not make it clear that it was upgraded. It is still a Dell motherboard, and was used in the Vostro desktops. However, the same motherboard was used in the Inspirion 530 with quad core processors, which I think supported 8GB of RAM.
Parthros
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March 9th, 2011 10:00
By the way, BIOS can raise the memory limitation.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090104165823AAJIjMK
fireberd
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March 9th, 2011 11:00
It may be able to support more memory, but I've never seen one (and I'm a retired computer techie that still does PC work).
Parthros
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March 12th, 2011 17:00
I tested it out with some Kingston RAM and was able to install 5GB of RAM in the DG33M03 motherboard. This leads me to assume that since the max was supposed to be either 4GB or 8GB that the max of the DG33M03 (more commonly known as just the G33M03) motherboard is 8GB.
As far as BIOS updates raising MAX memory, I believe that it would raise max memory if the board was designed to use a certain amount, but Dell (or some other computer company) didn't want you to upgrade above a lower amount made the older version not support as much memory as the board could.
One last thing, I'm a techie too. I don't have as much experience, but I am a techie.
muto
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March 13th, 2011 15:00
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muto
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March 13th, 2011 15:00
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Parthros
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March 17th, 2011 00:00
I don't quite see how I'm making this too complicated. All I've done is confirm that the G33M03 motherboard CAN utilize up to 8GB of RAM. That motherboard was used in both the Vostro 400 (the one with quad core processors) and the Inspirion 530. So, if you open your case and you see "G33M03" (or in my case "DG33M03"), then you can use up to 8GB of RAM.
muto
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March 17th, 2011 01:00
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Parthros
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March 19th, 2011 13:00
Well, the Vostro 200 was also available with the G33M03 motherboard because there was a version that supported quad core processors.
rdunnill
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June 16th, 2013 18:00
This is a two-year-old thread!
SuperFUBAR
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June 16th, 2013 18:00
try this site for info on that foxcon mobo
http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/motherboard-dg33m03-specs/
tells you most everything about that board , and yes it shows 8 GB max supported memory
I have 15 years exp working on computers and I am a licenced A+ certified repair tech
Current Home Build Computer I run is
Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3
AMD FX 8core 8320 O.C. 3.5 ghz to 4.0 ghz Air cooled
16 GB DDR3 1866 Corsair Dominator 2x 8GB
AMD 7970 2GB Gigabyte video card
2x 256 GB SSD in Raid Striping for O.S. and programs
2x 1T storage sata 6