Precision 530 RAM Upgrade maximum RIMM module size query

Dell Precision WorkStation 530 Memory
Maximum Memory 2GB
Memory Slots 4 (2 banks of 2) install in pairs
non-removable base memory 0MB


128MB PC600 (400MHZ FSB) ECC 184pin ECC RDRAM module (p/n 311-0901)
128MB Dell 184-pin PC600 8d non-ECC RDRAM RIMM (p/n DELL-XRA128)
256MB Dell Dimension XPS B ECC 16-device RDRAM Memory (p/n 311-1524)
256MB Elpida/Dell Dimension PC800-45ns (400MHz FSB) ECC RDRAM RIMM (p/n 311-8756)
256MB Dell 184-pin PC600 16d non-ECC RDRAM RIMM (p/n DELL-XRA256)
512MB Dell Precision Workstation PC800-45ns 184p ECC RDRAM RIMM Module (p/n 311-5800)

So 4 512 modules would be max.

http://www.memoryx.net/precwor530.html

asked same question of Dell tech in Ireland where I was informed that it was possible to fit matching sticks of ! GB RAM in my two remaining slots which had 2 x 512 on the board already. Thus I could get 2 more 1GB modules in making 3GB altogether (max 4) However, Dell don't supply rdram anymore and the suppliers I tried were all mystified. They seemed to think 2 GB was the maximum the 530 could take and the 1GB modules were never made.

As i need as much RAM as I can get now, and 2 may not be enough, I wonder whether I will have to change the 530. Are the later WSs that much faster?

Super old thread but I have just started working on a Precision 530 which I have began to love!

Originally it had 2 - 2.2ghz xeon's 512KB cache, 1gb ram, scsi and ide, and crazy slow.

Then I upgraded the cpu's for $9 on ebay to the SL79V 3Ghz 4.5MB cache per cpu (9MB Cache Total), and I bought the tall (48KEG), and short riser (16MWP) for $32 total, 8 sticks of 512MB PC800-45 cost me like $40, cheap 4 port PCI Rosewill sata raid card, and threw 2 spare 320gb sata drives in for RAID0 in Windows Server 2008 x86 since it has better support for the x86 4gb "limit" so it allows all 4GB to be used by the operating system.  I also upgraded to the AMD ATI Radeon HD 4670 AGP 1GB of DDR3 which is an awesome card @ $89.99 shipped. 

All in all to renovate this system wasn't too much and it was really fun!

On the 7300gt during 1080p playback in Media player classic home cinema cpu utilization on the Dual 3Ghz Xeon's is a mere 25% utilization.

On the AMD Radeon HD 4670 it's 5% on Media player classic home cinema.  This thing decodes all kinds of hd video and plays games very well with low cpu utilization in-game with smooth awesome framerates.  In games like Battlefield bad company 2 cpu utilization is 60-75% and 40fps at 1920x1080.

The (2) SL79V's 3Ghz Xeon's, 4GB RAM, and Radeon HD4670 AGP 1GB Graphic Card will make this machine very useful for years to come!

Now I can actually get a lot of work done on this thing!  I even stopped using my other newer rigs to use this old one!  It's awesome.  It loads into games faster than everyone else and my ping and download speeds are faster on this server board.