What RAM should I get??????

Question

I bought a 2.4G 8200 about 3 months ago. Its FSB is 533 FSB. The RDRAM they include was only 400 MHz ( I checked it in teh BIOS). The exact model is the Samsung 800MHz-40ns RDRAM, item number MR16R1624AF0-CM8.

http://www.samsungelectronics.com/semiconductors/dram/rambus_dram/rambus_big_sale.htm

Dell wants to sell me the more expensive 533 RAM but I don't know if I should get it. Anyone have some advice for me.

supersurfr · Answer

You can use either but you have to understand the architecture of the Rambus you cannot mix and match the speeds so if you went with the 400 what you have can stay. you have to buy it in matched pairs. IE: you want 256 Mb you have to get 2 128 Mb chips.

pavemobile · Answer

Dimension's can be very particular. Before I added memory to my 8200, I surfed this board, Intel's site and Rambus' site. Lots of info on the board from people who had success and trouble with RAMBUS upgrades. See if this link helps you...lots of validation info here, part numbers and manufacturers also. I installed a pair of Samsung part # MR18R162GMN0-CK8_0114 in mine and they have been working flawlessly for over a year now.

http://www.rambus.com/technology/valid.shtml#ValRes_RDRAM

These guys lowered their memory prices quite a bit. I have ordered from them in the past -great products and service and now better prices.

http://www.knowledgemicro.com/

Good luck and keep us posted!

Message Edited by pavemobile on 12-12-2002 09:55 AM

Karell · Answer

Jrach, Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum. The Dimension_8200 does not support PC1066 533Mhz ram. If you install that type of ram, it will be reduced to PC800 400Mhz speed. Only the Dimensions 4550 and 8250 currently support PC1066 ram. This does not mean your system is not 533Mhz, because the system FSB for the processor does run at 533Mhz... Do not get the memory bus and front side bus confused.

bobbyjak · Answer

The 4550 uses DDR, not RDRAM..

warlord716 · Answer

what up

like all the others said, be careful with which ram you get. dell is trying to sell you the more expensive because it costs more. you have a 533mhz front system bus with your p4 and pc800 rdram. dont get them mixed up. the rdram you want is pc800 rdram not the pc1066 they sell with the 8250.

check out googlegear.com and pricewatch.com for best prices, they WILL be cheaper than dell. but be carful that their rdram is the same or accepted by your system. the other option is to go to your local best buy or circuit city and get it from there. they may be more expnesive than online wholesellers but, you have a nearby-hassle free place to go to in case something is messed up

good luck

Thereal-dbk4297 · Answer

@warlord716 wrote:

what up

like all the others said, be careful with which ram you get. dell is trying to sell you the more expensive because it costs more. you have a 533mhz front system bus with your p4 and pc800 rdram. dont get them mixed up. the rdram you want is pc800 rdram not the pc1066 they sell with the 8250.

check out googlegear.com and pricewatch.com for best prices, they WILL be cheaper than dell. but be carful that their rdram is the same or accepted by your system. the other option is to go to your local best buy or circuit city and get it from there. they may be more expnesive than online wholesellers but, you have a nearby-hassle free place to go to in case something is messed up

Hi,

You are correct to warn about making sure that the memory will be accepted by your system 'before' you buy it. Dells are very picky with memory upgrades, and if you don't get the correct memory ( system specific ) it just won't work.
For RDRAM upgrades take a look at the RDRAM information page, so you can search for the lowest price for the "correct" RDRAM without getting ripped off.
If you have a system that uses non-RDRAM, Prices have come down LOTS in the past week. To see how much the correct system specific memory has fallen in price use the Crucial RAM picker. Even the fastest DDR memory for the 4550 has come down to earth.

Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information Find the -
"How much can my system hold"
"What kind is it", and other memory information.

Karell · Answer

Sorry about the 4550 mistake.... The left side of my brain was arguing with the right side. Only the 8250 support PC1066 RDRAM.

MViani · Answer

@Anonymous_Karell wrote:
Jrach,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.
The Dimension_8200 does not support PC1066 533Mhz ram.
If you install that type of ram, it will be reduced to PC800 400Mhz speed.
Only the Dimensions 4550 and 8250 currently support PC1066 ram.
This does not mean your system is not 533Mhz, because the system FSB for the
processor does run at 533Mhz... Do not get the memory bus and front side bus confused.

are you saying that you CAN in Fact put PC1066 in an 8200 i850E 533fsb, but it will RUN at the slower PC800 speed, are you sure about this. also I thought that the Memory Bus was also 533 but just that the PC800 this machine takes could only utilize up to 400 of the full 533 capability, is that not correct.

Message Edited by MViani on 12-13-2002 09:40 PM

MViani · Answer

Karell.

yes, i know that the 8200 can only run PC800. The reason i even asked is just that i did NOT know that you can even put PC1066 in an 8200 Box because I've Read so many posts that say you just cant do it, it wont work.

Karell · Answer

MViani,

Yes, you can put PC1066 in the system but it will still only run at PC800 speed.
No, the memory bus only runs at PC800 speed.
Do a search on the forum for PC1066 and you will pull up lots of posts on it.
Either way, your system will only run at PC800, so there is no point in putting PC1066
in the system.

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What RAM should I get??????

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