Memory for Optiplex GX150, GX1

Question

Is there a common memory type that works for both a GX150/933mhz and a GX1/400 Mhz? I'm trying to uprade both of these so they will run Windows XP.

DHsieh · Answer

I once bought PC133 256mB RAM from Dell using the Dell memory selector for the GX1. The RAM worked in the GX1 and the GX150.

Lester67 · Answer

I second that. The 150 is the finicky one. The GX1 will use 100 or 133.

(If you don't mind living with A07 BIOS, I also highly recommend the Powerleap CPU upgrade for the GX1. It knocks it to a 1.2 or 1.4 ghz Tualitin. I've had several running for a couple of years now.)

speedstep · Answer

The GX150 is non finicky. It REQUIRES PC133 SDRAM. The GX150 will use High density modules without issue but the GX1 will NOT. The GX150 also wont like ECC Ram whereas the GX1 wont care.

LOW DENSITY 16 x 8 chipset PC133 UN BUFFERRED UN REGISTERED SDRAM NON ECC will work in both.

I have used a single 512meg PC133 module in a GX150 and it works fine.

DHsieh · Answer

I have also used a single 512mB PC133 RAM in the GX150. I am pretty sure it does not work in the GX1.

Lester67 · Answer

Go look up the term finicky and get back to me.

speedstep · Answer

@Lester67 wrote:

Go look up the term finicky and get back to me.

From your post.
"The 150 is the finicky one."

Definition

"Finical, Particular, Unduly"

The GX1 Requires LOW DENSITY RAM.

The GX150 Does not.

The GX1 Requires a 16 x 8 chipset layout.

The GX150 does not.

The GX150 works with High density Ram, Works with Low Density Ram, Works with
Single or double sided Modules, Works with Many vendors.

There are Hundreds more memory types that the GX150 WILL work with that the GX1 WILL NOT.

The Ram for the GX150 is NEWER MORE AVAILABLE easier to find Ram.

The "Particular one is the GX1" and therefore the Finicky one.

You are much more likely to be able to find GX150/GX240/DIMENSION 4300 compatable ram that
DOES NOT WORK in either a GXa, GX1, GX110 than the other way round. Requirements for the
INTEL 440BX and INTEL 810 chipset are more particular than the INTEL 815, 845 chipsets.

Lester67 · Answer

And you still get it wrong in the context in which I was used.   The GX150 requires PC133 RAM... making it the finicky one. The GX1 will use PC100 or PC133.   7000+ posts?  Are they all this worthless?

PDN2005 · Answer

Since I'm the one that started this thread let me thank you all for your comments.  Lets not worry about terminology like 'finicky'.  I also read the warnings from Dell and others about the 150 needing a specific memory type.  See, I bought these two used GX150's for 60 bucks each and I wanted to max out the memory to 512Mb before loading XP on them.  Thoght I might use memory from an old GX1 I have.  Since another 256M for each was looking like it was going to cost me at least what I paid for each box, I was wondering if I was falling into the same trap I did with the new printer - - they just about give away the hardware but stick it to you on the ink supplies.  Anyway, yesterday, after reviewing all the hundreds of choices on eBay, I finally decided on a couple of used Micron 256K sticks.  That seems to be the preferred OEM brand that Dell uses and I was careful to match the part number of the existing modules.  I got them for $32 each so I still have a respectible system for under $100 invested.  Yes, I could have spent a hundred hours looking for a better deal, but I just don't have the time.  But during this search I read an article that  explained that some budget memory brands don't exactly meet the PC133 spec and the Intel 815 chip set apparently does not tolerate this well.   Since I used to work in electronics I know there are some sub-marginal chips on the grey market that some low-cost companies use.  They may perform within spec under ideal conditions, but at extreme temp or voltage variations (even within spec tolerances) they won't.   So now I'm smarter, and I think I'll have the confidence that any future system crash is truly Windows (again) and not a glitch from that $20 off-brand memory that came from some 3rd world sweat shop factory in someone's basement.

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Memory for Optiplex GX150, GX1

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