Dell Dimension 9200 Updated to 8GB.

Hi Brds7t7,

Excellent! Glad to hear you're keeping the 9200 running.

What OS are you running Windows 7 64 Bit?

I have added a note to this thread here to inform other users that they can upgrade to 8 GB of RAM:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/4639.dimension-9200-windows-7-64-bit.aspx

Hi Natacuk,

Yes, running Windows 7 Pro x64.

I was a little cautious when first buying the Ram, as you know, DDR2 is getting expensive now. I was a little worried in case it wouldn't work. But worked fine, so I'm assuming it only says 4GB in the Dell manual just because it's outdated documentation?

Really needed 8GB as I run a few VM's on my system too.

Even though the System was built in 2006, it's still running really well. The only thing I've had to replace was the DVD drive a few years ago.

One thing I have noticed is that in the BIOS it's reporting my Memory speed to be 533mhz, yet all of the sticks I bought were PC2-6400 800mhz.

Are the speeds capped to 533mhz on this type of board/BIOS?

FSB is Usually based on the CPU Clock and Multiplier.  Dells do not allow overclocking albeit this could be pin modded on some cpus.

I am also interested in upgrading a Dell Dimension 9200 running WIN7 64 bit to a total of 8GB RAM in 2GB sticks.

I have been looking at the Crucial Part No.CT25664AA667 as being a possibility. I note though that the same part number is sometimes listed with a suffix of either ".16FHZ" or "M16FG".

I don't understand what these suffix mean or if they are relevant?

If the above part number is not what I should go for could someone kindly please let me know one that they have used successfully.

Thank you

http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=ct25664aa667

Crucial will not RMA the above ram as it is not verified to run in an XPS 410 / Dimension 9200.

http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/Dell-memory/Dimension+%2F+Dimension+XPS/Dimension+9200-upgrades.html

Memory Type: DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 4GB
Slots: 4

This ram has been used before note its P2C6400 not PC2 5300 and 1.8v 5-5-5-18 timing

HOWEVER It too Doesn't say works XPS410 / Dimension 9200

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3089474&CatId=2264

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A1499970

Manufacturer Part# : TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX
Dell Part# : A1499970

Compatibility
This product is compatible with the following systems:
XPS 200
XPS 210
XPS 420
XPS 625
XPS 700
XPS 720

Thank you for this information. Out of interest though what do the two different suffixes mean for the CT25664aa667?

Thank you for this information. Out of interest though what do the two different suffixes mean for the CT25664aa667?

I am not Dell.

I am not Crucial.

 No Idea.

I would ignore the suffixes, I don't know what they mean but most likely they are irrelevant and you need the following specifications:

• Module Size: 4GB kit (2GBx2)
• Package: 240-pin DIMM
• Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300
• Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 256Meg x 64 •

However I would make sure all 4 are matched to the same suffix just in case.

If looking for a new part get two of these:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT25664AA667

If looking for a second hand part you might want to ask about the suffixes on the Crucial forums:

http://forum.crucial.com/crucial/

I would ignore the suffixes, I don't know what they mean but most likely they are irrelevant and you need the following specifications: Module Size: 4GB kit (2GBx2) Package: 240-pin DIMM Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300 Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 256Meg x 64 • However I would make sure all 4 are matched to the same suffix just in case. If looking for a new part get two of these: http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT25664AA667 If looking for a second hand part you might want to ask about the suffixes on the Crucial forums: http://forum.crucial.com/crucial/

Many thanks for this advice. It is much appreciated.

Zippy, 

These are the sticks I installed:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0079G900E/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1388173800&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

They were on offer when I ordered them and were basically half price. So it was cheaper to buy these PC-6400 than it was to buy the 5300.

Both speeds will work fine in the Dimension 9200. The manual states it can accept them both. 

I have successfully installed 8gb RAM into my Dell Dimension 9200 Quad Core.

• Module Size: 4GB kit (2GBx2)
• Package: 240-pin DIMM
• Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300
• Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 256Meg x 64

Also a Kingston 120GB SSD for the C: drive.

Wow - Amazing speed with a fresh install of WIN7 Pro.

Would adding a SATA III PCI card improve things even further or is the 9200 not the correct PCIe version for that?

It might speed things marginally, but not by a lot.

Also upgrading my RAM. Currently have 1 GB sticks in DIMM2 and DIMM4.  Plan to install additional 2 GB x2 for a total of 6 GB RAM. (I realize I could upgrade to 8 GB however I already have the 1 GB sticks and trying to minimize the upgrade costs somewhat).  Someone commented that the positions should alternate but the manual for this old Dimension 9200 says always pair the sticks of the same size and specs and use position 1. Therefore it sounds like I should have my current 1 GB DDR2  5300 240-pin sticks in DIMM1 and DIMM2 and the new 2 GB 6700 240-pin sticks in DIMM3 and DIMM4.   (the throughput is different but I understand they do work just fine in this machine). As stated above, currently the 1 GB sticks are in 2 and 4 positions without apparent major problems. So, am I correct in my statement that I should realize a full 6 GB RAM functionality with DIMM1 with 1 GB; DIMM2 with 1 GB; DIMM3 with 2 GB; and DIMM4 with 2 GB?

Current Dell Dimension specs:   9200/Win 7 Pro 64-bit, 2Core Duo 6600/2.4 GHz. My HDD has 331 GB free with capacity of 500 GB.   Win 7 installed this past year and initially booted and ran quickly and efficiently.  In the past 2-3 mos it is slower at booting and MUCH slower accessing anything via internet.  I've concluded all the automatic upgrades from MS and various programs/drivers, etc now require a more robust RAM so I'm doing the RAM upgrade.  I've "disabled" almost all program during the boot/startup sequence.  Background apps include:   AVG Pro antivirus; CCleaner; and SmartDefrag 3.

Am I on the right track?  Should I try to re-seat the current 1 GB sticks into DIMM1 and DIMM2 connectors even before adding the 2 GB sticks?

Ray