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Using DELL Optiplex GX620 - Installing 6 GB of RAM
I'm running Ubuntu Linux (64-bit) and upgraded from 4 GB to 6 GB of RAM. Currently, this is how my Optiplex GX620 rates, according to BIOSAgentPlus:
| BIOS Type: | Phoenix |
| BIOS Date: | October 13th, 2005 |
| BIOS ID: | OptiPlex GX620 |
| BIOS OEM: | A05 |
| Chipset: | Intel 2770 rev 2 |
| SuperIO: | Unknown |
| Manufacturer: | Dell Inc. |
| Motherboard: | OptiPlex GX620 |
As I understand it, A05 is capped at 4 GB, even though my 64-bit OS will see more, if the BIOS allows. If I flash up to A11, will that remove the 4 GB limitation, or am I still stuck with it?
DELL-Rajath N
1.8K Posts
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March 22nd, 2013 00:00
Hi LinuxSupahFly,
The memory support depends on the chipset on the motherboard and the Intel 945G Express Chipset supports only 4GB. Updating the BIOS to the latest version will not remove the limitation. For information on the Intel 945G Express Chipset memory controller, please visit the following link:
http://intel.ly/R5SMbF
DELL-Rajath N
1.8K Posts
1
March 26th, 2013 06:00
Hi Seann,
Thank you for your reply and you can install more that 4GB RAM by changing the mainboard. You will need to purchase a standalone Graphics Card if the mainboard does not have integrated graphics and does not affect the memory.
speedstep
8 Wizard
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47K Posts
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March 26th, 2013 10:00
The 620 supports 8 gigs of ram Max based on the Motherboard , 4 Ram slots and the CPU being EMT64 aka 64 bit cpu. 6 Gigs would be possible using a pair of 2 Gig modules and a pair of 1 Gig modules. There are 4 slots total. How much memory your Windows OS will recognize depends on which version of Windows you are running. 32-bit versions of Windows will see (and utilize) only 3GB or 3.5GB. To utilize more memory, install a 64-bit version of your OS. You never recover the frame Buffer so the total is always LESS THAN 4 or LESS THAN 8 Gigs Total Ram Even if you install a PCI-E video card. Not all Pentium 4 processors support EMT64. Since Intel reserves 512 megs you will not see 4 gigs with a pair of 2 gig modules because the system does not remap the unused ram up higher.
rdunnill
6 Professor
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8.8K Posts
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June 10th, 2013 18:00
The most I could get mine to recognize was about 3.5gb, even with a 64-bit OS.
It has a matched 2 x 2gb pair of G.SKILL PC6400 installed. With four sticks installed, it would not boot.
Seann1
7 Posts
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March 22nd, 2013 07:00
... I guess there's no way to change that unless I get a new mainboard? No "magic flash" solution from Intel?
Seann1
7 Posts
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March 22nd, 2013 20:00
Does it matter that my board doesn't have the integrated graphics adapter?
Seann1
7 Posts
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March 26th, 2013 07:00
I do already have a 1 GB stand-alone PCIE nVidia card that has been working nicely for the last year. I was simply hoping to avoid needing to replace the mainboard, but I see now that's the only way I'll be able to use the full 6 GB I have installed.
Seann1
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March 27th, 2013 12:00
But I'm using Ubuntu 12.10 x64, as I stated earlier. I am familiar with the limitations of 32 bit OS RAM recognition. According to Intel's own specs (http://intel.ly/R5SMbF), the 945 chipset is limited to 4 GB. I have two 2s and two 1s installed. Ubuntu x64 says there is only 4 GB installed, but recognises that I have 4 slots totalling 6 GB.
From Intel:
From my Ubuntu install (http://bit.ly/14vFqLZ):
seann@seann:~$ dmidecode --type memory | grep -E "(Size|Maximum.Capacity)"
Maximum Capacity: 4 GB
Size: 2048 MB
Size: 1024 MB
Size: 2048 MB
Size: 1024 MB
seann@seann:~$ free -m
total used free shared buffers cached
Mem: 3513 3328 185 0 373 2083
used free
-/+ buffers/cache: 870 2642
total used free
Swap: 3907 4 3903
As you can see, I am no novice, and as such, I am inclined to go with the first answer I was given. I know all of what you're saying, but your answer doesn't jive with the information I have already been given, sourced, referenced, and verified. I thank you for your interest and desire to help me, but I'm sticking with the first answer, which is that the Intel 945 chipset is capped at 4 GB due to it's 32-bit addressing scheme, and flashing the BIOS won't help.
BailDL632
1 Message
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June 10th, 2013 18:00
I've got the 32 bit Windows Operating System. Will the 4X1GB PC2-5300 maximize my SDRAMM capabilities of my GX620. I have studied the math involved in getting bus speeds, derived from a multiplier that is (if I'm not mistaken) a fixed value controlled by the processor or chipsets depending on the amount of SDRAMM installed. I understand the basic math. My Processor is 3.06 GHZ. My bus speed (as shown in BIOS is 533 MHZ (is this a fixed value of the memory installed which is currently PC2-4200). If I put four modules in each slot the bus speed will be divided by four (quad pumping?) running each module at 133MHZ. I believe the clock speed of the PC2-5300 to be 667MHZ which would run each at 166MHZ. Will my processor divide correctly the 667MHZ clock? It is an EM64T. I am assuming that the 64 bit processor that is in the system will only transfer 32 bits per quarter cycle. I'm not sure about this if you can possibly clarify this as a fact. By the answer I'm replying to I see that you suggest that Windows 32 bit will only recognize 3 or 3.5 GB. I assume that would be with matched 2X1GB and 2X512MB to make the 3GB. How would I achieve 3.5GB? I assume again by installing the 4X1GB and the operating system will run at its limit of 3.5GB? If you can help clarify any of my ramblings here I would sure appreciate it!
Seann1
7 Posts
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June 11th, 2013 07:00
To get 3.5 GB you would need to have 4 GB or more installed. As you can see from my system stats above, I have 6 GB of physical RAM installed in my system, but even though I'm running 64-bit Linux, the Intel 945 chipset only passes 3.5 of that along to the OS. Of the remaining 2.5, 2 GB is ignored and 512 MB is used for the system bus, PCI slots, on-board video, etc.
rdunnill
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June 11th, 2013 09:00
Mine wouldn't boot with 8gb installed.
speedstep
8 Wizard
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June 11th, 2013 09:00
The Bios will recognize up to 8 gigs. However the max ram you will get is 3.5 gigs.
This is a Chipset Limitation.
64 bit os will not fix this. If you want more ram use an Optiplex 755 or better.
speedstep
8 Wizard
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June 11th, 2013 10:00
Mine would boot with 32 Bit OS XP/Linux. 64 bit os would try to boot and then hung.
Solarwinds
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May 16th, 2016 17:00
With all due respect, that makes very little sense. If you change the mainboard then the PC is technically no longer a GX620- unless you are basing your system names on the system's case. So technically speaking I find your "advice" to be somewhat comedic. Furthermore, dell cases are often so proprietary that I have to say good luck finding a "mainboard" aka motherboard that will fit into the GX620's case (without drilling and adding mounting posts, etc...). The bottom line is a GX620 will not support the use of more than 4gb of memory in any configuration- and 512mb of that will not be accessible to the user. "Changing the mainboard" will make the computer into a machine that is something other than a GX620 and I'm going out on a limb here by assuming that it would VOID the customer's warranty, if applicable.