Max memory in a Dimension 2400

HERE <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> is the Dell 2400 specs from the manual.   According to the manual, maximum of 512KB memory modules and maximum of 1GB total.

The 2400's were sold as "low price - entry level" PC systems so I would say what the manual shows is correct.

Never assume that just because dell use a certain chipset that the set complies with all specs. Dell does modify their motherboards and chipsets to suit their own purposes.

I went through the same thing with my Dimension 4550.   Dell said 1GB, but the Intel chipset it uses supports 2GB.  Turns out it supported 2GB.

It looks like the same thing with the Dimension 2400.  Dell says 1GB, but according to Intel, the chipset (845GV) supports 2GB.  As you've already alluded to, all this is caused by Dell/Intel not being able to TEST the maximum memory when the PC came out.

Note Intel's D845GVSR motherboard uses the same chipset as yours.  I'd go to an online memory retailer and tell it you have a D845GVSR.  I'd buy 2 1GB sticks of at least PC2700 memory it gives you.  PC3200 would also probably work, but it supports a faster clock speed than you need.

For example, using Newegg.com's memory configurator for the Intel D845GVSR motherboard, 1GB -  http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=1052307858&Configurator=MemoryConfigurator&CFG=CFG003D845GVSR&name=1GB

Given what Intel says and that there are websites saying the maximum is 2GB, I'd say the maximum is definitely 2GB.  Hedge your bet if you want by making sure you can return the memory, although I doubt you'll need to.

References:

Dimension 2400 manual/specs:  http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/F75560LRs.pdf

Intel 845GV chipset webpage:  http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/845gv/index.htm

Intel's D845GVSR motherboard webpage:  http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/D845GVSR/

Never assume that just because dell use a certain chipset that the set complies with all specs. Dell does modify their motherboards and chipsets to suit their own purposes.

While this is true, I know from direct experience that the Dimension 2400 will support 2 GB so long as the memory is compatible.  Although I don't have one in the house presently with that amount, the D2400 my son is using has 1.5 GB in it, and it works splendidly.

Judging by the forum responses to my post,  this looks like a debatable subject.    For now,  I'm going to take a gamble on the 1Gb memory from Crucial,  as they seem to be a reliable vendor and they say it's compatible with the 2400.   

Its good to see that there's a reply on this forum where someone has over 1Gb in their 2400, but I appreciate that its still a gamble.   Thanks for your help, and I'll let the forum know if it worked ok!  

You can't always go by what the "Retail" Intel chipset capabilities are in the Dell custom motherboard/BIOS implementations.  My Dimension E510 has an Intel 845G chipset and according to Intel it will accept up to a Pentium D960 dual core CPU, HOWEVER, the Dell implementation will only work with a maximum of a D945 (and there are several documented cases of this on the old forum).

You can't always go by what the "Retail" Intel chipset capabilities are in the Dell custom motherboard/BIOS implementations.  My Dimension E510 has an Intel 845G chipset and according to Intel it will accept up to a Pentium D960 dual core CPU, HOWEVER, the Dell implementation will only work with a maximum of a D945 (and there are several documented cases of this on the old forum).

Agreed, but at least in the case of maximum memory for the Dimension 2400/4550 (and probably a bunch of other Dell series around the same time period) one can't go by Dell's specs either.   So, one has to make an educated "guess".

I bought two 512MB sticks for my Dimension 4550 thinking I had maxed it out.  Only later did I found out the max is 2GB.  The money spent on the 512MB sticks was wasted.

My peeve is that Dell didn't either specify separate design/tested maximums (2GB/1GB in this case) when it came out or go back and update the specs or at least add a note regarding the maximum memory being 2GB. 

It hurts Dell's customers when Dell's own specs are WRONG!

Folks,

Received a 1Gb memory-card from Crucial,  took the existing 2x256Mb ones out, and replaced just one slot.  PC booted fine and recognised the 1Gb card.  So,  I've proven the Dimension-2400 can at least take 1Gb cards,  and not a maximum of 512Mb cards. 

Next thing,  I may put in one of the 256Mb cards to take the total to 1.25Gb and see how it behaves. Both cards are 2700.  

You should be fine with both a 1GB and 256MB card in the machine.  1.25GB is good for most tasks on Windows XP (which I assume you're using).  You'll probably only need more for highend apps or games.

When I upgraded over 1GB, I used both CPU-Z (to see what my memory timings, verify everything's ok, etc.) and MemTest86+ (to extensively test my memory for over 10 hours).  Both are free.  CPU-Z is available at http://www.cpuid.com/.  MemTest86+ at http://www.memtest.org/.

Glad to hear your Dimension 2400 can take 1GB memory cards.

Hi!

I just had the same experience. Yesterday I bought an 1 GB card with 333 Mhz (PC 2700) for my Dimension 2400. It is working properly and was recognized by the BIOS, although the manual says a maximum of 512 per slot. But maybe it makes no sense to buy faster RAM, because they are not supported by the CPU (that is just an assumption, I didn't checked it).

g Allen

+1 for someone having success adding a 1g chip to a Dell Dimention 2400.  Actually, after reading through this thread, I added one to FIVE 2400's (one at home, four at my business).

I am absolutely amazed at the performance increase.  Very sad it took this long for me to figure this out.  I'd tried improving broadband bandwidth to help browsing speed, etc., cleaning up some bookkeeping software that had a decade worth of records in it, etc., but it turns out THIS was the problem that had been making everything slow.  Thanks everyone!

dudljo:

I have a 2400 to which I've recently added RAM. I first added 1Gig from Dell which was 1GB-DDR 333Mhz non-ECC Module, 3200.

Then more recently I got another Gig from Newegg and added it to replace the 256MB that came with the machine. The one from Newegg was:

Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)

I am happy with the performance, but the most noticeable performance was when I went from 256 to 1.256.

Hope this helps, but you have probably already completed your upgrade by now.

Happy Computing!

The money spent toward more RAM in a 2400 would probably be better saved toward a new system.

YOU ARE USING THE INCORRECT TYPE OF MEMORY!!!!!

I have the correct maximum amount of memory in my Dell 2400.

YOU NEED TO HAVE DDR NOT DDR2!!!

I may have misunderstood you, but just in case you know.

So anyways I have 1GB installed in each slot for a total of 2GB RAM. I am using DDR 3200 333 memory.

I copied this memory information from the system information following.

Here is my memory info for my 2400:

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB
Bank 1 - DIMM_1 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 333MHz
Bank 2 - DIMM_2 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 333MHz

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Micron
Model : 16VDDF12864AY40BD1
Serial Number : DD1EB3E0
Type : 1GB DDR
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC3200U DDR-200
Standard Timings : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Version : 1.01
Memory DC Line : 2.50V
Set Timing @ 200MHz : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Set Timing @ 167MHz : 2.5-3-3-7 2-9-0-0
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.0-2-2-5 1-7-0-0

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Micron
Model : 16VDDF12864AY40BD1
Serial Number : DD1EB3D0
Type : 1GB DDR
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC3200U DDR-200
Standard Timings : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Version : 1.01
Memory DC Line : 2.50V
Set Timing @ 200MHz : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Set Timing @ 167MHz : 2.5-3-3-7 2-9-0-0
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.0-2-2-5 1-7-0-0

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Bank 1 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Bank 2 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Bank 3 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Shared Memory : 1MB
Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB
Supported Memory Types : ECC SDRAM DDR
Channels : 1
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 166MHz (332MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 166MHz (332MHz)
Multiplier : 5/4x
Width : 64-bit
Memory Controller in Processor : No
Refresh Rate : 15.60µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 2.59GB/s

I think the following will help you. This is my system board info, with my personally identifying information removed.

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Model : Dimension 2400
Serial Number :
ID :

System Chassis
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Type : Space-saving
Can be locked : No
Serial Number :
Boot-up State : Safe
Power State : Safe
Thermal State : Safe
Security State : External Interface Locked-out

Mainboard
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corp.
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : 0C2425
Version : A01
Serial Number :

On-board Devices
Intel 845-G PCI Accelerated SVGA : Video Adapter (Disabled)
Intel Pro 1000 MT Network Connection : Ethernet Adapter (Enabled)
AC'97 Audio Controller : Sound Adapter (Enabled)

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB
Bank 1 - DIMM_1 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 333MHz
Bank 2 - DIMM_2 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 333MHz

Chipset
Model : Dell 82845G/GL/GV Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (A1)
Revision : A2
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz)
Width : 64-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 8 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 4.16GB/s

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : Hub-Interface
Version : 1.50
Number of Ports : 1
Width : 8-bit
Full Duplex : Yes
Multiplier : 2/1x

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Bank 1 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Bank 2 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Bank 3 : 512MB DDR 2.5-3-3-7 1T
Shared Memory : 1MB
Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB
Supported Memory Types : ECC SDRAM DDR
Channels : 1
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 166MHz (332MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 166MHz (332MHz)
Multiplier : 5/4x
Width : 64-bit
Memory Controller in Processor : No
Refresh Rate : 15.60µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 2.59GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Micron
Model : 16VDDF12864AY40BD1
Serial Number : DD1EB3E0
Type : 1GB DDR
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC3200U DDR-200
Standard Timings : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Version : 1.01
Memory DC Line : 2.50V
Set Timing @ 200MHz : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Set Timing @ 167MHz : 2.5-3-3-7 2-9-0-0
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.0-2-2-5 1-7-0-0

Memory Module
Manufacturer : Micron
Model : 16VDDF12864AY40BD1
Serial Number : DD1EB3D0
Type : 1GB DDR
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC3200U DDR-200
Standard Timings : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Version : 1.01
Memory DC Line : 2.50V
Set Timing @ 200MHz : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Set Timing @ 167MHz : 2.5-3-3-7 2-9-0-0
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 2.0-2-2-5 1-7-0-0

Environment Monitor 1
Model : SMSC HW LPC
Mainboard Specific Support : No

System Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.10
System Bus 0 : PCI

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : Intel 82801DB/DBL (ICH4/ICH4-L) LPC Interface Bridge
Revision : A2
ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes
Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes

LPC Legacy Controller 1
Type : SMSC LPC v1
Version : 59.00
Number of Enabled Devices : 5

Disk Controller
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL (ICH4/ICH4-L) UltraATA/100 EIDE Controller
Interface : ATA
Revision : A2
Maximum UDMA Mode : UltraDMA-5 / ATA100
Channels : 4
In Use Channels : 3
Port : UltraDMA-5 / ATA100
Port : UltraDMA-2 / ATA33
Port : UltraDMA-2 / ATA33

Audio Device
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL AC'97 Audio Controller (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Type : AC '97
Version : 2.02

Audio Codec
Model : Analog Devices 0074h
Revision : A1
Version : 2.02

USB Controller 1
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #1 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #2 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 3
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL USB UHCI Controller #3 (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 4
Model : Dell 82801DB/DBL USB 2.0 EHCI Controller (ICH4/ICH4-L A1)
Revision : A2
Version : 2.00
Specification : 1.00
Interface : EHCI
Channels : 6
Companion Controllers : 3
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) High (480Mbps)
Addressing Support : 64-bit
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

System SMBus Controller 1
Model : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
Version : 0.01
Specification : 1.00
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : No
PEC Support : No
Speed : 100kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
PCI1 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Full-Length Available

Port Connector(s)
PARALLEL : Parallel Port PS/2 / DB-25 pin female
SERIAL1 : Serial Port 16550A / DB-9 pin male
KYBD : Keyboard / PS/2
MOUSE : Mouse / PS/2
USB1 : USB / USB
USB2 : USB / USB
USB3 : USB / USB
USB4 : USB / USB
USB5 : USB / USB
USB6 : USB / USB
ENET : Network / RJ-45
MIC : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-IN : Audio / Mini-jack
HP-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
MONITOR : Video / DB-15 pin female

___

Next is my system BIOS info:

SiSoftware Sandra

General Information
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Version : A05
Date of Manufacture : Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Plug & Play Version : 1.00
SMBIOS/DMI Version : 2.30
(EE)PROM Size : 512kB

General Capabilities
Can be Updated/Flashed : Yes
Can be Shadowed : Yes
Is Socketed : No
Supports Plug & Play : Yes
Supports ESCD : Yes
Supports Enhanced Disk Drive : Yes
NEC PC-98 Spec Compatible : No

Power Management Features
Supports APM : Yes
Supports ACPI : Yes
Supports Smart Battery : No

Boot Features
Supports Selective Booting : Yes
Supports CD/DVD Boot : Yes
Supports PCMCIA/CardBus Boot : No
Supports LS-120 Boot : Yes
Supports ZIP Boot : No
Supports i2o Boot : No
Supports FireWire/1394 Boot : No
Supports BIOS Boot Block : Yes
Supports Interactive Network Boot : Yes

Performance Tips
Tip 212 : BIOS can be shadowed so check whether it is.
Warning 214 : BIOS is flash-able but surface-mounted. An unsuccessful flash may be fatal.

_________

Next here is the System Info related to memory (NVIDIA GeForce 6200 is the graphics card I have in there - it is te best possible for this computer):

SiSoftware Sandra

00000000 - 0009FFFF : System board
000A0000 - 000BFFFF : NVIDIA GeForce 6200 
000A0000 - 000BFFFF : PCI bus
000C0000 - 000FFFFF : System board
00100000 - 00FFFFFF : System board
01000000 - 7F773FFF : System board
80860000 - FEBFFFFF : PCI bus
D8000000 - EFFFFFFF : Intel(R) 82801 PCI Bridge - 244E
E0000000 - EFFFFFFF : NVIDIA GeForce 6200 
FC000000 - FCFFFFFF : NVIDIA GeForce 6200 
FC000000 - FEAFFFFF : Intel(R) 82801 PCI Bridge - 244E
FD000000 - FDFFFFFF : NVIDIA GeForce 6200 
FE9FE000 - FE9FFFFF : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
FEB7F900 - FEB7F9FF : Multimedia Audio Controller
FEB7FA00 - FEB7FBFF : Multimedia Audio Controller
FEB7FC00 - FEB7FFFF : Intel(R) 82801DB Ultra ATA Storage Controller-24CB
FEBFFC00 - FEBFFFFF : Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD
FEC00000 - FEC0FFFF : System board
FECF0000 - FECF0FFF : System board
FEE00000 - FEE0FFFF : System board
FFB00000 - FFBFFFFF : System board
FFC00000 - FFFFFFFF : System board

p.s. I had upgraded from 256MB x 2 to 1GB x 2 haha the difference was beyond description: 512MB total to 2GB total! Haha I regretted not having the knowledge beforehand! On the other hand, it was really cheap. I bought it like a year ago. This computer is faster than my brand new HP dual-core X64 AMD 1.8GHz 500GB HDD dv9000 series laptop, with a single core. I am about to upgrade to the Intel 960 chip (dual core 3.6ghz 800mhz 4mb), but I was told that some ppl had problems and could only go to the Intel 945 chip, so I'll do my research but the 960 chip is only a little over $100, which is well worth it.