Precision 670 Workstation Memory Configuration Options

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@Harold Noffke wrote:

Dell folks:

 

As a Government engineer, I am configuring a Precision 670 Workstation under Windows XP.  The Precision 670 config webpage lists the following memory options:

 

 - 4GB, DDR2 SDRAM Memory, 400MHz, ECC (6 DIMMS) [Add $1,095.10]

 - 4GB, DDR2 SDRAM Memory, 400MHz, ECC (4 DIMMS) [Add $1,324.84]

 

If I take the 4 DIMM approach, I spend an extra $229.74, and (I would guess) preserve my option to upgrade later to a full 16GB.

 

Are there any other differences between the 4 DIMM and 6 DIMM options, such as slower memory cycle time or more heat dissipation with 6 DIMMS?

 

Any references to technical data discussing mechanical and electrical configuration differences between 4 DIMM memory and 6 DIMM memory would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.
Harold

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Only difference is the capacity of the DIMM, they are all DDR2 400MHz memory DIMMS.  So if you go for the 4 DIMM option you will have memory slots open for later upgrades.  Keep in mind you will need Windows XP 64Bit edition to use more then 4Gb of RAM.

Also keep in mind that the RAM upgrades for the Precision WorkStation 670 are either single-rank or dual-rank. Slots 1 and 2 can take either rank, slots 3 and 4 have to be the same or lower rank, and I believe slots 5 and 6 HAVE to be dual-rank. My Dell shipped with 1GB of dual-rank (512MB x 2) in slots 1 and 2, I then upgraded to 3GB by adding two 1GB sticks of single rank in 3 and 4 not really knowing what rank was going to be shipped initially. If I upgrade more, I need to purchase dual-rank in order to put it into slots 5 and 6. Hope that makes sense. Everything is in the manual that is available for downloading.