In order to enable the dual channel memory controller you need to have a matched pair of memory modules in the slots having the matching colored latches. Dell keeps trying to confuse the issue by numbering the slots in odd ways. If you look at the manual on the E510 you will note that the matched slots are every other connector, and Dell has slot 3 located between slot 1 and 2. You will be good, however, if you just pay attention to the colors of the locking latches. The first channel has the white latches while the second is black. For best performance you should install the memory having the greatest capacity in the slots having the white latches. Since you are installing a pair of 2 GB modules, those will be the only slots having any memory installed.
I have them in 2 & 4 now (one in each channel) and system seems to be working OK. It is easier to access 2 & 4 as opposed to 1 & 2) That puts one in each channel. I tried them in 1 & 2 previously (channel A only) and it did not seem to make any difference. I still got the 3.25 MB available memory. Crucial said that with a 64b OS it should report 4GB available. ??
You should put your 2GB sticks in slots 1 and 2 (one per channel - they are the ones with WHITE release tabs). Leave the 512MB's out for now. If/when you put them in (with 64-bit, you could), put them in slots 3 and 4 (black release tabs).
It is normal, depending on your system's hardware, to see somewhat less than the installed memory as "usable".
The Dimension E510 uses a 945 chipset that has an addressing limit of 4 GB. Since it lacks the ability to use addresses above that limit you will not ever see more than 3.25 GB available on this machine. The one thing that folks often forget to tell you is that the capability to use more than 4 GB of RAM depends on the hardware as well as the operating system.
Notice in my second System Properties screenshot ... 4GB installed, 64-bit OS, and 3.75 usable. It depends on your system configuration. Onboard memory will "steal" system memory, leaving less available to be used by the OS, as can other devices ... and it depends on how the system maps/manages those devices.
Look at two more screenshots from an Optiplex 790 with dedicated graphics, and with onboard graphics (note the less usable RAM with the onboard).
Thanks ! That settles it. No more memory on this system.
Jack Shack: Can you provide any advice on location on mother board for installing my (2) 2GB sticks per my previous threads ? i.e. one per channel or all in one channel.
Hopefully you're not offended by my disagreeing with you - it is a matter of opinion, and I still respect you ... no, people aren't accustomed to counting 1,3,2,4, which is why they are numbered as they are accustomed to counting ... 1,2,3,4. Maybe it's too simple for the masses :)
Flash, if you say so that is fine. I only note that people who haven't worked on computers are not accustomed to counting in "1,3,2,4" order and most are also unaware of the significance of the color code. This is an opinion thing, as I'm sure you are aware.
Dell keeps trying to confuse the issue by numbering the slots in odd ways.
It's not confusing ... they actually do this to reduce confusion, as the docs say "Always install DDR2 memory modules in the order indicated on the system board." If you have one stick, put it in slot 1; if you have two sticks, put them in 1 and 2, if you have three sticks, put them in 1, 2, and 3, etc.
jackshack
6.4K Posts
1
January 18th, 2012 13:00
In order to enable the dual channel memory controller you need to have a matched pair of memory modules in the slots having the matching colored latches. Dell keeps trying to confuse the issue by numbering the slots in odd ways. If you look at the manual on the E510 you will note that the matched slots are every other connector, and Dell has slot 3 located between slot 1 and 2. You will be good, however, if you just pay attention to the colors of the locking latches. The first channel has the white latches while the second is black. For best performance you should install the memory having the greatest capacity in the slots having the white latches. Since you are installing a pair of 2 GB modules, those will be the only slots having any memory installed.
See this: Dimension E510 Service Manual - Removing and Installing Parts. Check out the section on Memory.
speedstep
9 Legend
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47K Posts
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January 18th, 2012 08:00
"4 GB RAM installed 3.25GB available" means 32 bit OS. More ram is pointless without 64 bit cpu and OS.
Oldsalt2
7 Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 09:00
How do I verify that I am running 32 bit Win ? I bought this computer 2nd hand and was told it was running 64 bit.
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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January 18th, 2012 10:00
Right-click [My] Computer, Properties, and look under System/System Type.
Oldsalt2
7 Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 11:00
My browser wouldn't let me cut and paste, but my System page info reports:
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.20GHz 3.19GHz
Installed memory: 4.0GB (3.25GB usable)
System:type: 64bit operating system
Product ID: 00371-835-1222052-85307
Confusing ? I would also appreciate any info on proper RAM sockets to use.
Oldsalt2
7 Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 12:00
I have them in 2 & 4 now (one in each channel) and system seems to be working OK. It is easier to access 2 & 4 as opposed to 1 & 2) That puts one in each channel. I tried them in 1 & 2 previously (channel A only) and it did not seem to make any difference. I still got the 3.25 MB available memory. Crucial said that with a 64b OS it should report 4GB available. ??
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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January 18th, 2012 12:00
You should put your 2GB sticks in slots 1 and 2 (one per channel - they are the ones with WHITE release tabs). Leave the 512MB's out for now. If/when you put them in (with 64-bit, you could), put them in slots 3 and 4 (black release tabs).
It is normal, depending on your system's hardware, to see somewhat less than the installed memory as "usable".
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 13:00
The Dimension E510 uses a 945 chipset that has an addressing limit of 4 GB. Since it lacks the ability to use addresses above that limit you will not ever see more than 3.25 GB available on this machine. The one thing that folks often forget to tell you is that the capability to use more than 4 GB of RAM depends on the hardware as well as the operating system.
theflash1932
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•
16.3K Posts
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January 18th, 2012 13:00
Notice in my second System Properties screenshot ... 4GB installed, 64-bit OS, and 3.75 usable. It depends on your system configuration. Onboard memory will "steal" system memory, leaving less available to be used by the OS, as can other devices ... and it depends on how the system maps/manages those devices.
Look at two more screenshots from an Optiplex 790 with dedicated graphics, and with onboard graphics (note the less usable RAM with the onboard).
With dedicated graphics:
With onboard/integrated graphics:
Oldsalt2
7 Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 13:00
Thanks ! That settles it. No more memory on this system.
Jack Shack: Can you provide any advice on location on mother board for installing my (2) 2GB sticks per my previous threads ? i.e. one per channel or all in one channel.
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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January 18th, 2012 13:00
Of course JS is right, but you mentioned Crucial, so I went to them first, and they do show the E510 supports 8GB:
www.crucial.com/.../listparts.aspx
However, given the fact that the E510 does use the Intel 945G chipset:
support.dell.com/.../specs1.htm
I don't see how it could possibly take more than 4GB:
ark.intel.com/.../8765
Oldsalt2
7 Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 14:00
Thank you ! I have been bouncing around on two forums to get this answer.
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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January 18th, 2012 14:00
Hopefully you're not offended by my disagreeing with you - it is a matter of opinion, and I still respect you ... no, people aren't accustomed to counting 1,3,2,4, which is why they are numbered as they are accustomed to counting ... 1,2,3,4. Maybe it's too simple for the masses :)
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 14:00
Flash, if you say so that is fine. I only note that people who haven't worked on computers are not accustomed to counting in "1,3,2,4" order and most are also unaware of the significance of the color code. This is an opinion thing, as I'm sure you are aware.
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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January 18th, 2012 14:00
It's not confusing ... they actually do this to reduce confusion, as the docs say "Always install DDR2 memory modules in the order indicated on the system board." If you have one stick, put it in slot 1; if you have two sticks, put them in 1 and 2, if you have three sticks, put them in 1, 2, and 3, etc.