adding ram...how should they match up?

  • Thread starter Thread starter shackrock
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shackrock

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Right now I have 256MB of "PC800 RDRAM"
I'm trying to add some more ram to it, but I don't want rambus ram.

what ram can I add to this - besides rambus ram? PC800 RAM? PC800 DDR RAM?

It's a dell computer, from a while ago...P4...etc.

Thanks
 
I suggest that you determine what your mobo brand and model number is, and then try to get some tech info. Allowable sizes and types of memory, whether or not you can mismatch memory stick sizes etc., all these questions are usually mobo specific.
Besides, brandname computers can be picky about the brand of memory, and regular stock parts may not work.
 
hmmm...well i read my dell book on it. surprisingly enough they NEVER tell you type of mobo..perhaps it's kinda custom made by them.

anyway, here's what they tell me:

NOTICE: If you upgrade the memory, the RIMMs must be upgraded in matched pairs of identical MB capacity in both sockets 1 and 2 or sockets 3 and 4.
MEMORY:
Achitecture: RDRAM
RIMM sockets: 4
RIMM capacities: 64-, 128-, 256-, and 512-MB RDRAM
Standard RAM: 128MB (Minimum)
Macimum RAM: 2 GB
BIOS address: F8000h

soooooooo...what exactly does this mean?
ha

I can ONLY buy RDRAM? and, since I only have 1 stick of 256MB in there now, i MUST buy another 256MB stick at the least??

thanks again
 
Crucial does NOT sell RDRAM.

I have RDRAM, and your best bet is eBay. Pop open your computer, and find out the manufacturer of your RAM. Find out if it's ECC or non-ECC. This is important!
You cannot mix ECC with non-ECC RAM!

So, just pop it open, find out the manufacturer, whether it's ECC or not, and hit eBay.

Also, RDRAM has to be installed in matching pairs! So one stick of 128 won't do you any good unless you get a second. And you can't install 1 stick of 128 and one of 256, the capacities have to match.

Hope this helped!
 
Dell manual will not tell you even half of the story.
They say that you should use matched pairs, which is rather typical. But you actually have a single stick of 256, and the manual does not mention this option.
The only way to determine your mobo model is to open the box and look - it should be writted somehwere on the board. At the very least you should be able to find FCC ID number, which will allow you to determine the model.
The boards for brandname computers are usually custom designed to cut corners and reduce the cost. They are usually made by big OEM manufacturers, and once you know the brand and model number you can try to find info on the internet.
 
You really dont need Ecc memory. Its nice but its more along the line for servers.
It minimizes problems by buying ram from the same company if using multple sticks. If the board takes both sdram and Ddr ram then get DDR ram. BUT if im not mistaken you may have to remove the Rdram (which is slightly faster and more expensive) as you may not be able to use the two types together.
MOTHERBOARD MANUAL is a must for working on your computer. Saves a lot of time and headaches when you have problems with the computer. Dell has support. How good their support is I dont know.
BTW With the Rd-ram you can use 1 stick of ram in bank 0 then use a continuity rimm (Crimm) in bank one. The crimm has no memory but is needed. Some people call it a dummy stick.
:cool:
 
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Duck's right. You cannot use RDRAM and SDRAM at the same time.
 
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