RDRAM

Thanks for the info.  I just don't want to use the wrong thing in my computer.  Do I keep the two 128MB RAM that are already in RIMM 1 and 2 and just put my two 256MB RAM in the RIMM 3 and 4 slots or do I take out the two 128 and put in the two 256 in the same slots?  I bought one 256 from the Dell Company online but it's expensive and found I can purchase the other elsewhere for cheaper and wanted to know if it was okay to use two different vendors?  Thanks for all your info, it helps alot.

http://www.computing.net/cpus/wwwboard/forum/7820.html

may help you decide.

Just a point of info. I've been using 512 megs of Non-ECC  and 512 megs of ECC for about a year with no problems in my 8100.

cdlou3 wrote

Thanks for the info.  I just don't want to use the wrong thing in my computer.  Do I keep the two 128MB RAM that are already in RIMM 1 and 2 and just put my two 256MB RAM in the RIMM 3 and 4 slots or do I take out the two 128 and put in the two 256 in the same slots?  I bought one 256 from the Dell Company online but it's expensive and found I can purchase the other elsewhere for cheaper and wanted to know if it was okay to use two different vendors?  Thanks for all your info, it helps alot.

You can indeed put the new ram into slots 3 & 4. As long as both are either ECC or Non-ECC it doesn't matter where they're purchased.

The 256 one that I purchased online with Dell does not say whether its ECC or Non ECC so does it matter which one I buy online from another vendor, I know it has to be a 256 but ECC or non ECC?

Thank you then I will go to that site and purchase the Non-ECC 256RAM Memory card then. 

You're welcome.

I can't remember the technical name for the sticks in 3 & 4. With rdram all of the slots must be filled. The two you are referring too are basically dummy sticks  (Not technical term) but must be in there. Yes you can order and install other rdram as long as it is Non-ECC and install it.

Now you know I had bought a 256RAM card directly from Dell online so you are saying it's okay to buy the other 256RAM card from someone else as long as it's a Non-ECC?  Just have to be sure one last time before I do order it, thanks again.  My son said that when he looked in my tower he saw that the two 128 cards were in slot 1 & 2 but then the slot 3 & 4 also had something in it but he wasn't sure what it was, do you have any idea what it could be?  I have a Dell 8200.  Thank you.

Thank you for all your help.

The technical name is "continuity module". You will need to place the larger (256mb) ram in slot1 and slot2 and move the smaller ram (128mb) to slot3 and slot4. You should check out your system on the reference tab above. It will show you how and where to add memory. I do believe it says 2 identically matching modules.

Marc

That's right Marc. I couldn't remember the name to save my self. Thanks for the info.

To clear up some confusion.

1) You must add memory to your machine in matched PAIRS.  So, if you only bought a 256mb stick from Dell (just one), you MUST buy an IDENTICAL stick in order to use the stick you already purchased.

2) Mixing ECC and Non-ECC means all memory runs at ECC speed.

3) This forum is for Windows XP, not hardware questions.  In the future, this question would go on the Dimension -Upgrade Hardware forum.