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Optiplex 960 - can it use DDR3 Memory?
I recently purchased an off-lease Optiplex 960MT from Dell. It came with 2GB of DDR2 memory which I need to increase. DDR2 memory prices are much higher than for DDR3 memory, I can get 8GB of DDR3 for the same price as 4GB of DDR2. According to the Dell Optiplex 96 technical manual, the chipset in the Opti 960 is "Intel Q45 Express Chipset w/ICH10DO" http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/desktop-optiplex-960-technical-guidebook-en.pdf . According to Intel's specs for the chipset in the Opti 960, it can use DDR3 memory http://ark.intel.com/products/36527/82Q45-Graphics-and-Memory-Controller-Hub. As well, I've found a few retailers selling refurbed Opti 960 which, they claim, have DDR3 memory in them http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Professional-Professionally-Refurbished-Refurbisher/dp/B0057GPUXE. So, is the Optiplex 960 able to use DDR3 and, if it is, what specification?
shesagordie
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January 24th, 2013 11:00
OracleOfDelphi
No.
DDR3 wont fit in a DDR2 slot.
Though they both are the exact same length and number of pins, they have different architecture.
Besides the "notch" on the ram is in a different location so you cant physically put DDR2 ram in a DDR3 slot or vise versa.
Bev.
DELL-Kiran K
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January 23rd, 2013 11:00
Hi OracleOfDelphi,
Dell has tested only DDR2 memories on OptiPlex 960. Hence DDR3 modules may or may not be compatible.
OracleOfDelphi
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January 24th, 2013 08:00
Does anyone tried this?
OracleOfDelphi
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January 24th, 2013 17:00
Thanks for your answer. Now I know that, even if it were able to work electronically, it won't physically fit.
shesagordie
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January 24th, 2013 18:00
OracleOfDelphi
Happy to have helped.
Bev.
Sherif Abdel-Ke
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January 6th, 2016 01:00
Bravo all of you! You saved me hard time to know about incompatibility of DDR3 on Dell Optiplex 960 SFF which I have. You can only upgrade the ollowing :
Processor Socket T from 3GHz to intell extreme QX6850 for Power Business Applications using XP pro or vista 32 fat / bit ; you must replace also heat sink with Intel extreme fan
Slim CD : to Blue Ray Slim RW DvD Panasonic is best
Power Supply SFF Type up to 420 Watt
Hard Drive 2.5 Western digital 1 TB blue 7200 rpm 16 mg
adding Dell Radeon HD 3470 SLIM
WIRELESS 801.2 INTEL 5300 MINI LOADED on another PCl card connected together on motherboard second slot
That is System fully loaded and updated .. The least Cost for this is 640 US $ - Close to 900 CAD $ buying least price from ebay as new items including a new motherboard - Remember That system cost 1900 US $ when it is introduced to Market
BUT Is it stupid to invest all this money on an old upgraded technology : NO - NO
Why ? because I need this older technology in my business as I spend 18000 $ on software
hard ware which all run on win Xp Pro than Vista 32 fat / 32 bit to publish books , documentary Dvds and Music - books CDs , I worked 4-5 years to write my thesis on .
that dell 960 optiplex is my most powerful machine available , I am not willing to waste my time and money to spend on software technology as what I have fulfill and empower
all my needs today , Isn't It ?!!
all my work and programs I am familiar with are fat 32 technology