Upgrading XPS 400 RAM

Question

Hello all!   I am upgrading my XPS 400's DDR2 PC2-4200  533 Mhz 2GB (4 x 512) to the max 4GB.   My question is: Can I install the faster DDR2 PC2-6400 800 Mhz? It was listed as compatible on Crucial's website. Will it work on my 32-bit or is that for 64-bit systems? Is it better to get the 2 x 2GBs or 4 x 1GBs?   I do a lot of video and photo editing, and never have enough RAM. Will I benefit from the faster RAM?   Thanks for the help in advance.   Maximum Memory Capacity:  4096MB Currently Installed Memory:  2GB Available Memory Slots:  0 Number of Banks:  4 Dual Channel Support:   Yes CPU Manufacturer:  Genuine Intel CPU Family:   Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz Model 4, Stepping 4 CPU Speed:  2793 MHz   Dell XPS 400 2.8 Ghz Pentium D Dual Core 2 GB DDR2 PC2-4200 533 Mhz Windows XP Home SP2

DELL-Chris M · Answer

PIXYDEE,

No. The Dell specifications state that the XPS 400 supports the following 1GB SDRAM -
C6796 DIMM, 1GB, DDR2, 400Mhz, PC3200
C6844 DIMM, 1GB, DDR2, 533Mhz, PC4200
U8622 DIMM, 1GB, DDR2, 667Mhz, PC5300

Davet50 · Answer

And unless you run a X64 bit system you will only access 3 gigs of ram. that is all a 32 bit can access..so  4 might be an overkill..but if it is cheap and you can afford it and you are thinking of going to a 64 bit OS then it might be worth it to buy it all at once.

elika · Answer

you can put in 800mhz ram but it will automatically be underclocked to 667mhz ram. so unless you find a great deal on the 800mhz stuff, just get a few pc2 5300 667 sticks :)

LeahcimAz · Answer

Hi

Why doesn't my Windows® PC recognize the whole 4GB of memory I installed?

The maximum amount of memory that your system can use is actually limited in two ways — not only is there a maximum amount of memory that your computer motherboard can accept, there is also a maximum amount of memory that your operating system (OS) can accept.

For instance, when you install 4GB of memory in a 32-bit Windows system (the most common version; 64-bit systems are typically used only by high-end users), your system will see (and utilize) only 3GB or 3.5GB. Is the problem bad memory?

Relax, there isn't a problem with the memory. Windows allows for 4GB of memory to be addressed, but this isn't 100 percent the same as having 4GB of physical memory.

What happens is that some of the addressable memory (regardless of how much you have physically installed) is reserved for use by page files or by some of the devices that you are using, such as a graphics card, PCI card, integrated network connections, etc., so it's unavailable for use as normal main memory.

The amount of memory needed for these devices is calculated by your system at startup; if you haven't maxed out the memory in your system, it's invisible to you, and all your physical memory (the RAM that's installed) is available for use. However if you've maxed out the DRAM in your system, this amount will be deducted from your physical memory, so you can't use 100% of your DRAM.

The maximum memory limitation varies by operating system; for instance, the 4GB memory limitation doesn't exist in 64-bit versions of Windows.

Memory maximums for current Microsoft® Windows OSs include:

Windows XP Home: 4GB
Windows XP Professional: 4GB
Windows XP 32-bit: 4GB
Windows XP 64-bit: 128GB
Windows Vista Home Basic: 4GB
Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit: 8GB
Windows Vista Home Premium: 4GB
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit: 16GB
Windows Vista Ultimate: 4GB
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit: 128GB+
Windows Vista 32-bit: 4GB
Windows Vista 64-bit: 128GB+
Mike
XPS Owner

LordBishop34 · Answer

Get 4  1GB, DDR2, 667Mhz, PC5300, even if it doesn't recognize all of it..ram performs better with matching pairs and mine recognizes 3.5 gigs.

Gumba · Answer

XPS400 2.8Gig 820 D Dual Core -VIIVO/S WinXP Media Center Edition 20053 G.B. DDR2 RAM PC5300 - 2-1G.B. 2-512M.B.Samsung Hard Drive 250G.B. 7200RPMSeagate externial 320G.B. H.D.7200RPM USBATI 128M.B.HYPER Mem PCI-E X16 X300SE.DIMATI TV Wonder Elite PCI19' FPSigma-Tel Intergrated Audio 7.1 channelLogitech G15 KeyboardDVD-/+RW & DVD-ROMPertelian X2040 ForeSight Systems LCD information DisplayDell 944 AIO PrinterSytem Blower Slot FanEASYWATCH LCD System Monitor /Fan Controller             I upgraded the originial 1 G.B. of memorey my XPS400 came wit to 3 G.B. !  The reason I chodse 3 Gigs instead of the max of 4GB is becasue I had read that WinXP will only reconize 3 G.B. max.  I have a seperate small LCD dispaly and the software for this LCD called a Pertelian X2040 uses RSS feeds to give me up to date information on Wheather news and sports . I can also add any RSS feed to access other information ,stocks forum postings ,etc.  Anyway it also has a built in system monitor ,and I have found that when Iam on my PC logged onto the internet ,have TV on in a small box on my desktop ,the pertelian running and a couple of other apps also running (automatic update) that the total amount of RAM being used is still leaving me with a little over 2 GB's available !  Apprently I did not actually need to up grade to 3 GB's ,2 GB's would have still been more then enough ! However Iam happy at the 3 Gig mark knowing I have it incase it is needed !  Just some input on my exprience with RAM and the amount needed for my system .                                                                                        Good Luck & Take Care                                                                                                               Nick (Gumba)

Davet50 · Answer

by matched pairs one means 2 512's, 2 1 gigs etc. and running at the same speed. Yes ram stick cqn be  bit of a bear ot insert..but that is a good thing as you know they wont work loose..

PIXYDEE · Answer

I did go with the 4G of RAM as I do a lot of photo and video editing, and you can never have enough RAM for that. And yes, only 3.5G is recognized by Windows XP. I know you are supposed to install RAM in matched pairs, but just out of curoiosity I'd like to know. I installed 4 x 1GB sticks, but didn't pay attention as to whether they were installed as matched pairs or not. It still works, but did it matter, since they were all 1GB and the same brand, type, etc.? I had a hard time getting the RAM installed (not putting enough pressure to get the clips to click). Is there an easy way to do that, or does it take brute strength? I'm always afraid I'm going to break somethng. Anyway, I was too lazy to open it back up and check for matched pairs. I was just glad it work properly.

Locked Topics – Desktops General

Upgrading XPS 400 RAM

Was this post helpful?