Dimension 8400 Questions

Hello solomonl ,

if you ordered your Dimension 8400 with 512MB, so you got two 256MB 400 ram sticks.
For a upgrade to 1GB ram, you need another two 256MB 400 ram sticks, or remove the two 256MB and add two 512MB.
A single 512MB doesnt work, you need always a pair of same size and speed.
DDR2 533 ram is supposed to be faster than the 400 ram. Tests show, DDR2 533 ram is really faster.

Samsung DDR2-533 (PC-4200):
----------------------------------------
SPD Timings at DDR2-533 = 4-4-4-11
SPD Timings at DDR2-400 = 3-3-3-8

Corsair XMS2 DDR2-533 (PC-4200)
----------------------------------------
SPD Timings at DDR2-533 = 4-4-4-12
SPD Timings at DDR2-400 = 3-3-3-9

Infineon DDR2-533 (PC-4200)
----------------------------------------
SPD Timings at DDR2-533 = 4-4-4-12
SPD Timings at DDR2-400 = 3-3-3-9


SiSoft Sandra 2004 SP2 - Memory Bandwidth Benchmark
(Higher scores mean better performance)
-----------------------------------------------------

DDR2 at 533 MHz:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Corsair DDR2 at 533 MHz = 5042
Infineon DDR2 at 533 MHz = 5033
Samsung DDR2 at 533 MHz = 5056

DDR2 at 400 MHz:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Corsair DDR2 at 400 MHz = 4859
Infineon DDR2 at 400 MHz = 4818
Samsung DDR2 at 400 MHz = 4840


You could overclock the X800 card a little with ATItools.

Defrag your HD's from time to time.

You could add a second S-ATA 80 GB Drive and config it as Raid 0. Be aware you have to re-install Windows and all apps if you change it to Raid.
(The advantage of Raid 0 is up to 10% performance increase, the disadvantage of Raid 0 is, if one of the 2 HD's doesnt work anymore, all data on both drives are lost.)

Stop/Disable non-needed Services of Windows XP.

Don't use Symantecs Firewall and AV Tools, they slowdown the System. Choose McAfee and/or Zone Alarm instead.

Disable Mouse and Menu Shadows/Animations

Run Windows XP in classic style instead of LUNA Theme and/or Windowblinds/Style XP

Don't load a Wallpaper for your Desktop

Remove not needed Programs on Startup

Often do you close Programs or Games, or your PC has a uptime of many days/weeks. Windows XP becomes slow. Then do following:
Enable MS Windows Scripting Host (Control Panel > Add/Remove programs, Windows Setup tab, Accessories category, second from the bottom.
Open Notepad, and copy the following into it, and save it as freemem.vbs in a folder of your choice.

FreeMem = Space(128000000)

Put a shortcut to it on the desktop, or in the quick launch bar, and run it if Windows XP becomes slow.

Message Edited by Th0rne on 10-27-2004 09:49 AM

Message Edited by Th0rne on 10-27-2004 09:51 AM

I don't know about percentage increases, but I think you'll see more bang for your buck just by going from 512mb to 1gb, regardless of speed.  If you have the money, definitely go for 1gb @ 533mhz.  But you'll see a larger net increase in performance going from 512 to 1gb @ 400 than you would see if you went from 1gb @400 to 1gb @ 533, for example.

I've read that XP uses 512mb just to run efficiently, so right now there's a lot of sharing going on when you play games.  Again, getting another 512mb no matter what speed will be VERY noticeable and worthwhile.

You should definitely upgrade to 1 gig. With the video card you've got, having only 512MB RAM is a crime. With 1 gig of RAM and that card your system should fly on any game.