Memory Upgrade

[smhapp]

Looking for some help. I've got a Dell XPS Gen 5 with a Pentium D.

I want to upgrade the memory - currently I've got two sticks of 512 -- to 4 gigs. So I'm looking at buying 2 x 2 gb of duel channel memory and removing the old memory. I want to get a DDR 800 -- new egg has some g.skillz on sale -- but I'm not sure that this will work on my box. The processor is an i955x duel core.

Please advise.

thanks

S

 

[badge]

List a link to your Dell system specs.

 

[geofelt]

Go to the memory vendor's web site, and use their upgrade configurator. It will give you a list of compatible memory modules for your dell. You will need the exact model #. If there is a big price difference, don't pay extra for higher speed. Having enough is much more important.

 

[smhapp]

g.skillz did not provide a memory advisor.

Here are the system specs.

System Identification:
Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Model: Dimension XPSGEN5
Processors: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.20GHz , 0GC068
Operation system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2
Motherboard Details:
Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Motherboard Model: 0GC068
Bios: DELL - 7
Memory Details:
Total No. of Slots: 4 (Currently Two slot in use)
Installed RAM: 1022 MB
Maximum RAM: 4096 MB
Front Side Bus: 800 MHZ
Details of memory already installed on your computer:
Memory Size Memory Type Memory Speed Dimm Type Dimm Type Detail
CHANNEL A DIMM 1 512 MB DIMM 533 MHZ Unknown Synchronous
CHANNEL B DIMM 2 512 MB DIMM 533 MHZ Unknown Synchronous


And here's what I've found regarding 667mhz
Dimension XPS Gen5 non-ECC (DDR2-667MHz)
Dell Dimension XPS Gen5 non-ECC (DDR2-667MHz) Memory
Maximum Memory 8GB
Memory Slots 4 Slots. Must install 2 at a time
non-removable base memory 0MB
Comments: Mixing DDR2-667 and DDR2-533 will run the DDR2-533 speed. Mixing ECC and non-ECC memory will disable the ECC function. A 64-bit OperatingSystem is required to utilize more than 4GB of memory. To run dual channel mode, install memory in identical pairs.

Question is, can it run ddr-800?

thanks all

 

[badge]

It can run DDR2 PC6400, but I am unsure if it will support it at it's full 800 MHZ. speed. Give more details about your MB Chipset. What is the exact model of your Dell? Here is a configurator. Just type in your system info and compatible RAM will be listed for you.

http://crucial.com/

 

[geofelt]

Also consider 4x1 or 2 2x1 kits to get 4gb. That might turn out to be cheaper. Just check the vendor's configurator to be certain that it will work. Also, consider that the application performance advantage of 800 memory vs. 667 memory is perhaps only 1-2% at most. Some memory may need a voltage increase to run at 800, and I suspect that your mobo will not have that kind of tuning knobs in the bios. Unless you are overclocking, you don't need to worry about memory speed. If you are interested, run cpu-z to get some details on your cpu/mobo/memory.

 

[a 6pack in]

800mhz will not work on your sys, it will drop to the lower spec or in some cases not work at all, secondly 4gig will not show up on your system running a 32bit OS. run a 64bit OS to utilize all the avail memory.

 

[badge]

Apparently DDR2 PC6400 800 Mhz. will do absolutely nothing for you not to mention default back to PC5300 667 mhz. at best.

Quote from article: However, you cannot alter the memory timings. This tells me you are grayed out of any overclock controls in BIOS.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1788923,00.asp

 

[The_OGS]

Yes, it will always run @ 266MHz (533DDR).
Therefore any DDR2 will do! Note that PC2-6400 may not work if it has no 266MHz speed listed in SPD...
So just get PC2-5300. I can get 2 x 1GB of the Corsair C4 for $99 bucks; good deal. They actually call it PC2-5400 because it is rated for 675DDR (but it should give you very nice timings @ 533DDR).
With 533DDR in dual-channel you can match the bandwidth of a FSB1066 CPU, so don't worry you don't need faster.
Regards