Dell Mobo Xchange Program and Memory

Question

HELP !!!

I'm trying to buy new memory for the mobo that I recently purchased through the Dell mobo exchange program. I called XPS prem tech and they said that the fastest memory speed my mobo would support is 800 Mhz. However, the Corsair Dominator memory that is recommended as an upgrade for my system runs at 1024 according to the specs.

So what's up? I go to buy memory then I'm told there's not much point. Why is that? Does anyone know what's going on here? Has anyone put the Corsair Dominator RAM in their XPS 720? What speed does it run at? The mobo I have is the one that's in the 720s (I think), the nVidia chipset 680i SLI.

If this isn't the best memory for me, then what is? I was told that this mobo upgrade would allow me to run corsair dominator memory, and to overclock it to my heart's (and my system's cooling capability) fill.

Thanks !

GG

Dell proprietary nVidia chipset 680i SLI
4 gig 667 Mhz Dell proprietary DDR2
2x Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX
2x 10,000 rpm Raptor X's in Raid 0
Intel Core2 Extreme QX6700
Windows Vista x64/XP x86 in Dual Boot Configuration

Havok_ · Answer

There are lots of threads on this and the debate of PC6400 (800MHz) vs. PC8500 (1066MHz) memory for the XPS720 motherboard.  Ultimately the speed difference is negligible as PC8500 may be a little faster, but requires looser timings (5-5-5-15 or worse) than PC6400 (5-4-4-15 or 4-4-4-15 from what I've seen).  Many claim you'll only see the difference via benchmarking programs.   The motherboard itself does support EPP profiles.  So make sure any memory you consider makes use of EPP profiles.  In order to make use of the PC8500 memory, the EPP/SLI setting in your BIOS needs to be on and the memory should set itself appropriately.   Ultimately, PC6400 should stress the memory controller less and therefore provide a better chance for a stable system.   If you are considering 8GB of memory, you are pretty much playing in the PC6400 world only as running PC8500 memory with 8GB is very hard to do because the more DIMMS you have installed the more stress there is on the memory controller (along with the stress of the PC8500 speed).  It's hard to find PC8500 2GB DIMMS at a decent price anyway, so this might be a moot point.    You should be able to run 4GB of PC8500 memory though.  Many have done it and many here recommend OCZ.

madbirmy · Answer

I have ocz sli certified pc2 8500. jdec only allows up to 800mhz. You can enable the epp in the bios and the memory will run at 1066mhz. This memory and the memory you speak of are able to run at 1066mhz. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227178 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145033                        I probably suspect no real speed increase in everyday tasks. maybe 3%-5% in gaming or real world applications.                     madbirmy   xps 700/720,q6600,8800gtx,4 gig pc2 8500,vista ultimate x64

steve_89 · Answer

I just recently was considering the Corsair pc2 8500 ram too.After doing alot of reading on what it would give me 3-5% over stock 667mhz ram i went with the pc2 6400 with cas 4 timings.Not enough performance for the extra cash.You can google pc2 8500 vs pc2 6400 and ull find tons of reviews and what they find. Plus note newegg right now has the 6400's on sale for $75 plus a $40 dollar rebate for a low price of 35$$$ cheap I recommend this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

GamingGoddess · Answer

Ok,

I think I understand, now. But the Corsair Dominator (with the fan) *does* support EPP/SLI, doesn't it? It's the kind that Dell sells, their most expensive.

Now, since my mobo only supports up to 800 Mhz, then why do they make RAM that runs at such speeds? I thought the only mobo in existence (for home systems) better than the nVidia 680i was the 750i, which is new (while steering clear of any arguments about AMD vs. Intel, cuz I think we all agree here which is the best, or we'd not be Dell owners, would we?). Is there a better mobo (made by Dell or not) out there better than the one I have (other than the brand-new 750i)? If so, is it available to XPS owners thru Dell (who has done a real good job of CYA and insuring that you can't put a 3rd-party mobo in its proprietary case).

Further, would it be worth going ahead and getting the XMS2 PC-8500 if one has the intention of someday upgrading one's mobo (and processor)? Is it even realistic to plan that Dell WILL make such a mobo available (without trying to sell us all new systems)?

I guess the bottom-line question is this: is Dell going to take care of we high-end system owners or are they just going to leave us twisting in the wind? Is Dell even planning on adopting the new 750i chipset (or have they already, but only made it available to purchasers of new systems?) and are they planning on supporting triple-SLI technology, if, of course, it is proven that it is viable and cost-worthy?

I guess I'm a little disappointed in my upgrade options; yet, I still am willing to stand by Dell and give them a chance, but I want to know for sure that I am going to be left a viable upgrade path in the future, otherwise, I'm going to start buying a new case and brand-new mobo now and and git to cannabalizin'.

I guess I'm a little miffed, as well as feeling just a bit undersupported.

What's the deal, anyone know?
Help !!
GG

GamingGoddess · Answer

What about this memory:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145043

And this is the one that Dell sells that I'm considering getting. Is it worth the hefty tag- this is the cheaper stuff:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Gaming_and_Performance_Memory/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A1249142

The more xpensive (with the fan, I think), this is the one my champagne (as my fiancee calls it) taste wants to get, but my purse says the other:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Gaming_and_Performance_Memory/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A1262682

Is the expensive stuff worth it? Is this even a descent price (since the stuff with the fan on newegg is about 360 bucks for 2G?

Help a girl out, here, guys, please !! Ya'll know more than me !!
GG

GamingGoddess · Answer

Dell XPS 700/720 Hybrid
core 2 duo 2.4ghz
Corsair 800MhzCas4 memory
2 raptors(10,000rpm) raid 0
Dell 2405wfp
Klipsch 5.1--SoundBlaster X-FI
dell wireless keyboard/mouse
Nvidia 7900GTX--Ageia PhysX Card
Happy camper so far.

Steve: how do you like your PhysX card?

Does it do anything? Seriously-not being a smart aleck here, seriously, what does it do)?

I wanted to get one but all the gaming rags I've read said it was too high and no new games support it, however, I'm still on the fence about it, as I am about a lot of things... just cuz high-performance PC and gaming rags don't approve of a technology doesn't mean it's not worth it.

Do YOU like yours? That's what matters.
GG

PS I'm also considering getting one of those dedicated video card coolers/heat sinks for SLI- does anyone else have one of those? Are they worth it?

GG

LeahcimAz · Answer

Hi Goddess,

Check this website: http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=BL2KIT12864AL1065

Mike

XPS720
Windows Vista Ultimate
McAfee Security Center
Microsoft Office 2007
Intel® Core™2 Quad Q6600 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz
4Gb Crucial DDR2 PC2-6400DDR2-800 SLI-Ready
Qty.(1) Seagate Barracuda 250Gb Hard Drive
Qty.(2) Seagate Barracuda 500Gb Hard Drive
nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX 786Mb Memory
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Sound Card
Liteon 16X DVD-ROM
Liteon 16X DVD-RW
Broadcom 5754 Ethernet NIC NetXtreme
Dell 24" LCD Monitor
Logitec Cordless Desktop Wave Keyboard & Mouse
HP Scanjet G4010 Photo Flatbed Scanner
Canon i950s Photo Printer

gdwrnch3 · Answer

I used OCz PC6400(800) reaper in my sons XPS 720 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227231     and this OCz PC8500(1066) in mine, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227181      I think my sons runs just as good if not better than mine

Boldie · Answer

You don't need to buy the expensive memory with EPP/SLI to get the DDR800 modules to run at the tight timings. By default most non EPP 800ddr will run at 5-5-5-18 in the XPS from my experience and as you know the Dell Bios will not allow memory timing changes, assuming the memory is rated to run at 4-4-4-12 simply modifying the SPD table of the modules with SPD TOOl to these values will allow you to run fast and tightly timed memory for a fraction of the price. Thats what Ive done, my 4 gig of DDR2 800 running at 4-4-4-12 cost me only 67 pounds and I have quite a bit of room to program the timings even lower. I can get 4-3-3-8 in nTune with no stability issues.

Message Edited by Boldie on 01-17-2008 11:06 AM

LeahcimAz · Answer

Hi,

I believe this is the link for Spd Tool: http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/staff/oczflash/SPD-Z.zip

I do not use it or recommend it. This is just for FYI.

Mike

XPS720
Windows Vista Ultimate
McAfee Security Center
Microsoft Office 2007
Intel® Core™2 Quad Q6600 2.40 GHz 1066 MHz
4Gb Crucial DDR2 PC2-6400DDR2-800 SLI-Ready
Qty.(1) Seagate Barracuda 250Gb Hard Drive
Qty.(2) Seagate Barracuda 500Gb Hard Drive
nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX 786Mb Memory
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Sound Card
Liteon 16X DVD-ROM
Liteon 16X DVD-RW
Broadcom 5754 Ethernet NIC NetXtreme
Dell 24" LCD Monitor
Logitec Cordless Desktop Wave Keyboard & Mouse
HP Scanjet G4010 Photo Flatbed Scanner
Canon i950s Photo Printer

Boldie · Answer

http://www.techpowerup.com/spdtool/ this is the home site. Only use it if you know what you are doing and only modify half the memory at any one time, the other half should be removed completly, that way any errors in programing can be recovered.

steve_89 · Answer

GamingGoddess,

Well with the PhisX card i havent noticed that big of a improvement.There are so me games out there that support this card.see thats the thing if they arent programed for the card no extra eyecandy.

If mine didnt come with the computer(refurbished) i prob wouldnt get one.If you can get one cheap i say go for it.

Off to the memory again, yes if its 800mhz memory in the spd it will clock at that speed.Reason for sli or epp was to overclock or lower timings.Remember ddr2 only is supposed to go to 800mhz anything over that is over clocked by the Jedec or something standard.

If you googled the memory ud find out that the memory is limited to the bandwith via the bus.Unlike the Amd with memory controler on the chip.

So for the money you cant go wrong with the pc6400 i sent u the link for.Infact im going to add another 2 gigs i think cas of the price.35$ cant beat that.

If i can help anymore just ask..

I'll trade my PhisX card for one of ur 8800's :smileytongue: J/K

Message Edited by steve_89 on 01-18-2008 12:15 AM

pointguard1122 · Answer

Remember to disable the spread spectrum settings in ntune as well.  This has been known to cause posting errors with SLI/EPP RAM enabled.

GamingGoddess · Answer

@steve_89 wrote:

GamingGoddess,

Well with the PhisX card i havent noticed that big of a improvement.There are so me games out there that support this card.see thats the thing if they arent programed for the card no extra eyecandy.

If mine didnt come with the computer(refurbished) i prob wouldnt get one.If you can get one cheap i say go for it.

Off to the memory again, yes if its 800mhz memory in the spd it will clock at that speed.Reason for sli or epp was to overclock or lower timings.Remember ddr2 only is supposed to go to 800mhz anything over that is over clocked by the Jedec or something standard.

If you googled the memory ud find out that the memory is limited to the bandwith via the bus.Unlike the Amd with memory controler on the chip.

So for the money you cant go wrong with the pc6400 i sent u the link for.Infact im going to add another 2 gigs i think cas of the price.35$ cant beat that.

If i can help anymore just ask..

I'll trade my PhisX card for one of ur 8800's :smileytongue: J/K

Message Edited by steve_89 on 01-18-2008 12:15 AM

I finally made up my mind, ya'll; I got the Corsair Dominator, the 1024 with the Dominator airflow fan. Fans are always good; you can't ever go wrong with more fans. Maybe I should have gotten the cheap stuff, but the Dominator was 20 bucks cheaper than it was yesterday (I got it from Dell) and I took that as a sign- plus, I've always had regrets every time I get cheap components; I've never looked back from the times I've gone on ahead, and spent the xtra $$ for the primo stuff. I'll trade my PhisX card for one of ur 8800's J/K Teee-heeehehehee- yeah, I just bet you would ;-) !!! While you're at it, why stop at one? Why not ask for both? I promise you, I'm just as likely to say yes to both as to one !! ;-) !! GG

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Dell Mobo Xchange Program and Memory

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