Dimension 8200 Speed Problem

Question

I am trying to restore a Dell computer for a friend and I need some information that I cannot find in your online tech support section. The computer: A Dell DIMENSION 8200, CPU: Pentium 4 @ 1.8GHz (1.79) and according to the online specs the other CPU options include 1.50, 1.60, 1.80, 1.90, 2.00, 2.20, or 2.40 GHz (w/FSB = 400 MHz); or 2.26, 2.40, 2.53, 2.66, or 2.80 GHz (w/FSB = 533 MHz) RAM: 256Meg Your online specs give RDRAM options of PC800 or PC1066 RAMBUS, Non-ECC, 40ns, 184 pin Memory capacities 64-, 128-, 256-, and 512-MB non-ECC RDRAM Maximum memory 2 GB with MS Windows® 2000 and XP; System clock 400- or 533- MHz data rate. The problem: Computer is slow and to the point of being a real pain in the neck. Original proposed solution: a. increase memory from 256 meg to 1000 meg (1G), and upgrade(?) fm Xp to Vista. b. Install a faster processor. Considerations: Although your online specs seem to suggest I can go up to a 2.8 G CPU, the FSB would go from 400MHz to 533MHz. Can the installed Motherboard handle the higher FSB clock frequency? I have checked the SYSTEM Settings (CMOS) and found the FSB is set to 100 MHz and I cannot change it. Then checked the installed Memory; Somewhere along the line it has been changed from DELL original equipment to Samsung with a 45 ns spec. The currently installed CPU is INTEL Pentium 4 1.8 / 256 / 400 / 1.75 (That looks OK) SL5V3 (Cannot find this model anywhere on the Intel Pentium Data base) I suspect some ham-handed Neanderthal has been meddling with this machine. GIVEN all the above, My questions are: 1. Can the motherboard support a FSB clock of 533 mHz? 2. How does the computer know what the FSB frequency should be? Does it check the CPU or the Memory or some other performance factor? 3. Did using 45ns Memory in place of 40 ns memory cause the FSB to go from 400 mHz to 100mHz. RAMBUS Memory is expensive - Dell can save me a lot of experimenting money if you can either answer my questions or point to where I can find the answers.

jackshack · Accepted Answer

The FSB is correct.  Pentium 4's use a 'quad pumped' system that makes four transfers for every clock cycle. The Dimension 8200 was delivered with two slightly different chipsets.  Before about May, 2002, the chipset used was the 850.  This version supports the 400 MHz FSB and is capable of using 45 nsec RDRAM with an 800 MHz clock.  The later version uses the 850E chipset which supports a 533 MHz FSB and requires 40 nsec RDRAM.  I don't remember that either version could use 1066 MHz RDRAM; always thought that was a property of the Dimension 8250. The FSB is set by the BIOS based on a reading of which processor has been installed.  I don't believe the 850 based systems could support a 533 MHz FSB, but I'm pretty sure the 850E equipped systems could handle either 400 MHz or 533 MHz FSB.

Mary G · Answer

Edit your post to remove the service tag. This is not Dell support and posting tags is against the rules. This is a user to user forum and in my opinion you would be wasting lots of money on an obsolete computer. Nowadays you can buy a whole new computer for what you would spend on just the memory, which is also obsolete. There is a Dell desktop featured today for $349 with 4 gb of ram. That would run rings around that old 8200.

Tiberious 4 · Answer

Thanks Mary G. For the orientation to Forums, and the practicle advise.

Nonetheless it still bugs me that the CMOS says the FSB is 100 mHz.

when it should be 400 mHz. Worse I don't know why. Tnx again

Tiberious 4 · Answer

Thanks for the rundown on the Dell 8200. After searching the net and reading the memory specs from Dell, Various Magazine pundits,

and the like it appears you are dead on correct. There must have been some esoteric reason for making the old 8200 able to handle

a FSB of 533, but limiting the memory to the PC800s.

MS Vista requires a minimum of 500 meg, probably runs well only when there is 1 gig present, and RAMBUS memory would cost more

a new computer - or the same as a very good computer.

Thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge.

jackshack · Answer

You're very welcome.  Good luck and happy computing to you.

Tiberious 4 · Answer

Since I last heard from you i've done a bunch of research

and now really thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

Armed with the information you sent me I was ablr to figure

out how all that stuff worked together, the way the 850E chipset

works and you were dead on.

ADDED: Found a pair of 250 meg PC800s on e-bay at a good price.

All is working fine. Will install Vista once I get my Income Taxes done :-),

Thanks again - Tiberious 4

The Merg · Answer

I may be way off here, but I thought the Inspiron 8200 used 200-pin SODIMM memory. You can get a 512MB chip for about $20-25.

Edit: Yeah, I'm an idiot... Kept reading Dimension 8200 as Inspiron 8200...

- Merg

csikarenlsd · Answer

Hey........I know I am about four years behind this discussion but, allow me to opine for a moment. I have a Dell Dimension 8200 that my smart phone out laps and laughs at each lap mark. She is so slow, I my friends call her Bertha. However, I have approximately $16,000 worth of software on her. Most of the keys got misplaced when the movers packed my house. I must figure out a way to speed my girl up, without killing her. You are correct... for a few hundred dollars, I could acquire the equivalent of a racehorse. But, that horse would have no shoes, saddles, food, treats, vitamins, tack and NO jockey.

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