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Precision 670 Memory Upgrade
I recently purchased a memory upgrade for a Precision 670 that I have here at my office, and found that the memory I ordered wasn't compatible. What I purchased was 2 kits of PQI TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory. My original configuration included 2 512 sticks that came from the factory. (
this from the service code lookup DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 512, 400M, 32X72, 8, 240, 2RX8).
I know that the memory I bought will not work but why? Is it the fact that it is unbuffered and non-ECC or is it the speed (PC2-4200 as opposed to the original PC2-3200)? What specifically is required for memory to be compatible with this system? Registered? ECC? PC2-3200? I am pretty sure it needs to be Dual Channel, but is that correct?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Thanks,
I was under the impression that Registered and Unbuffered were mutually exclusive. I am guessing from your post that this is not actually the case.
Just to be sure, the only requirements are that the new memory be ECC and Registered? I could put PC2-4200 in ther but it would still run as 3200 because of the boards limitations, right?
So if I look for some ECC, Registered Sticks between PC2-3200 and PC2-4200, like 2 kits of 2x1GB dual channel, for a total of 4GB, thats going to be my best bet right? And it will be compatible with the board?
I just need to double check because I think i can skate around the 1 mistake, but if i make another several hundred dollar mistake, I'm going to find my head on a platter smewhere in the accounting department.
Thanks again
I have not mixed different frequency memory modules on the 670, nor have I installed higher frequency memory that the board requires:
I did have different memory frequencies in the 530/650 workstations without any issue.
I don’t know if the new DDR2 memory, or the 670 motherboard, would trigger an error if higher or mixed frequency memory is installed.
The PC-4200 would be at a premium higher, in cost, than the PC-3200 without any additional benefits, and the caveat that it may not be compatible with the 670.
The only way to be sure is to actually purchase or have the PC-4200 and PC-3200 REG & ECC and try some permutations on the installation of the modules; to see if the system reacts or accepts the combination or higher frequency.
To be on the safe side, and not have unnecessary capital outlay for memory that you don’t know its compatibility, I would stick with looking at 1R PC-3200R DDR2 REGISTERED AND ECC
Message Edited by Chipstone on 01-19-2006 05:14 PM
- I have a mixture of 2R and 1R on my Precision 670 Workstations.[ DIMM 1&2] 512MB; 2R; PC3200[ DIMM 3 & 4] 512MB; 1R; PC3200[DIMM 5 & 6] 512MB; 1R; PC3200works great that way. but on applications (efilm 2.1) reports an error some times when I look at large volumes of data quickly..."Out of Memory Error" and the app locks up, system crash, reboot, try again.I am swapping out the memory in this workstation with the memory from another just like it, only I don't have enough DIMMs for a 1:1 switch. So my new config below is tried and I get beep codes, system won't boot:[DIMM 1&2] 512mb; 2R; PC3200[DIMM 3&4] 512MB; 1R; PC3200[DIMM 5&6] emptyWhy the beeps? I thought that if you mix ranks you must put 2R in DIMM 1 & 2. No dice. Any suggestions?Also, the link on Dells webpage below yields a system manual that is table of contents but no pages. what's up with that?https://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ws670/en/index.htm#online_documentation
Yes you can mix 1R & 2R in the 670. The problem is that if you populate DIMM 1&2 with 2R memory, then populate DIMM 3&4 with 1R or 2R memory, then that’s all the memory you can install; based on the 670 manual, the 670 system will not accept or include any additional memory installed in DIMM 5 & 6.
In your original setup:
[DIMM 1&2] 512MB; 2R; PC3200
[DIMM 3 & 4] 512MB; 1R; PC3200
[DIMM 5 & 6] 512MB; 1R; PC3200
I don’t believe that the memory in DIMM 5 & 6 was being recognized by Windows XP. I would curious to know if you checked BIOS with the original configuration to see if BIOS was recognizing all memory modules installed DIMM 1 thru DIMM 6, and did Windows XP reported memory above 2GB?
Another clue would be if the system did not boot-up with all the DIMMS populated; if all are populated, and BIOS is recognizing all the memory installed from DIMM 1 thru 6, then the 670 BIOS requires a small cooling fan above the memory modules. If you did not received the diagnostic error then BIOS was not recognizing the memory installed in DIMM 5 & 6.
I have 6GB of installed memory, all are 1GB 1R x4, and the setup required a small fan & shroud that is installed on top of the memory slots: its a dell part for the 670.
Maybe that was causing the “Out of Memory Error”
Your second setup looks ok:
[DIMM 1&2] 512mb; 2R; PC3200
[DIMM 3&4] 512MB; 1R; PC3200
[DIMM 5&6] empty
Why the beeps? I thought that if you mix ranks you must put 2R in DIMM 1 & 2. No dice.
Any suggestions?
There maybe two issues: 1st are the memory modules pairs of the same brand and part #?
Mixing different Mfg. memory may cause a problem, especially if the comp with of one is x4 and the other is x8. 2nd the other problem would be faulty memory modules: Dell suggest the following test procedure:
If you experience other memory problems —
1. Reseat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
3. If the problem still exists, remove all the memory modules and install one memory module in memory module connector DIMM_1.
4. Restart the computer.
The following message appears: Alert! Operating in Debug Mode. Please Populate Memory in Pairs for Normal Operation.5. Press to boot to the operating system.
6. Run the Dell Diagnostics.
7. If the memory module passes, shut down the computer, remove the memory module, and then repeat the process with the remaining memory modules until a memory error occurs during start-up or diagnostic testing.
8. If the first memory module tested is defective, repeat the process with the remaining modules to ensure that the remaining modules are not defective.
9. When the defective memory module is identified, see "Contacting Dell" for a replacement.
NOTE: If necessary, the computer can operate in debug mode until new memory modules are installed.
Message Edited by Chipstone on 01-20-2006 07:48 AM
- Here is a little information from Crucial's FAQ. When buying RAM I always buy from one of the big vendors, Crucial/Micron, Kingston, SimpleTech, Viking, PNY, Corsair, Mushkin. Doing so will alleviate a number of headaches.
What is the difference between buffered and registered memory?
DDR and SDRAM can be unbuffered or registered. EDO and FPM can be buffered or unbuffered. Buffered modules contain a buffer to help the chipset cope with the large electrical load required when the system has a lot of memory. Registered modules do not have a buffer but do contain a register that delays all information transferred to the module by one clock cycle. Buffered and registered modules are typically used only in servers and other mission-critical systems where it is extremely important that the data is properly handled.
What does "registered" memory module mean?
The term "registered" refers to how the memory module processes signals. Registered modules contain a register that delays all information transferred to the module by one clock cycle. This type of memory is primarily used in servers.
While most PCs will accept only unbuffered memory modules, there are some that accept registered memory modules. Keep in mind that when you install registered memory modules, all of the modules installed in your PC must be registered because unbuffered and registered modules are not interchangeable.
You can tell if you are using registered memory by looking at one of the modules currently installed in your system. If it has one or more small black chips mounted horizontally on the module, you have registered memory. If not, you have unbuffered memory.
Will buffered and unbuffered DIMMs fit into the same socket?
No — the two different types of modules (buffered/unbuffered) are not interchangeable and even use slightly different printed circuit boards (PCBs). If you try to install the wrong type, the first notch on the bottom of the module will be offset.
Crucial no longer sells buffered memory.
When do you recommend using buffered DIMMs?
Buffered memory should only be used in those systems specifically designed to accept buffered modules, as determined by the system's memory controller design.
You can determine if your system uses buffered modules by looking up your system or motherboard in our memory selector — we'll tell you if your system uses buffered memory.
Buffered modules are keyed differently than other modules so that they won't fit into the slot of a non-compatible system.
Please note that Crucial no longer sells buffered DIMMs. kerriritter
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Posted January 23rd, 2006 11:00
oh no, say it isnt so...
my 670 has a mixture of 2R and 1R memory (each stick is 1GB) like this for a total of 4GB:
[DIMM 1 & 2] 1GB; 2R; PC3200
[DIMM 3 & 4] 1GB; 1R; PC3200
[DIMM 5 & 6] empty
my understanding of the memory configuration was that if i only used 2R in slots 1 and 2, i could use 1R in the remaining ones. i called tech support to verify this before ordering 2 additional 1R - 1GB sticks for slots 5 & 6 and they confirmed it to be true.
i got the ram the other day, added it and received the "must have a memory fan error" (which tech support failed to mention). now the memory fan is enroute but...
based on what i just read here, with the fan installed, the two new 1GB modules will not work to increase ram to 6GB?- based on what i just read here, with the fan installed, the two new 1GB modules will not work to increase ram to 6GB?
I believe I made a mistake; I research it again and based on Dell’s manual on 670 memory requirements: if DIMM 1 & 2 & DIMM 3 & 4 are populated with 2R memory then you cannot use DIMM 5 & 6:
However your configuration to populate all DIMM's Sots will work since only DIMM 1 & 2 is populated with 2R and the rest with 1R, once the fan arrives, install the memory and the fan and the system should power up.
Message Edited by Chipstone on 01-23-2006 08:50 AM
kerriritter
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Posted January 24th, 2006 10:00
the memory fan came monday morning . i reinstalled the ram and the fan and it works great for a total now of 6GB.
once again, 1 - 1GB R2 in slots 1 and 2
and 1 - 1GB R1 in remaining slots 3, 4, 5, and 6
:)OK I have come up with yet another question. What is currently running in this 670 is 2x512 from the factory. If I add 4 GB of memory by way of 2x2 GB so that I have a 2 GB module in slots 3 & 4, totaling 5 GB, I know that 32bit windows XP will only utilize 4 GB, but would it recognize half of the last module (run at 4 GB), or just ignore it altogether(and run at 3 GB)?
Also, would it run if I just added a single 2 GB module in there in slot 3, for a total of 3 GB.
Thanks again.
Chipstone
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Posted January 19th, 2006 17:00
As far as buffered and un-buffered, un-buffered is best; I have a combination of both without any problems:
Your best memory configuration is R1 - PC-3200R – DDR2 SDRAM - Registered, ECC, and Non-Buffered Memory: You need to look if the memory module is Single Rank (R1) or Dual Rank (R2):
Single rank allows you to populate all the 6 DIMM memory slots: R2 will limit the aggregate memory you can install in the 670:
Some system will accept higher frequency modules; but the must be installed in pairs, and can potentially cause instability: You will not reap any additional benefits from higher frequency since the system will cap the frequency back to PC-3200:
It is best to have the same consistent memory across the entire range of installable memory modules:
Message Edited by Chipstone on 01-19-2006 02:38 PM