Question Some help with DDR2...

[jk_1966]

Hello,
I have a Dell Optiplex 755 USFF (motherboard: 0HX555, OS: Win7, 32-bit) with 2 DIMMs of 1GB each for a total of 2GB. Speecy reports RAM as: DDR2, 332 MHZ (5-5-5-15).
I tried twice to upgrade into 4GB but no lack: PC didn't even open... Specs of the tried RAM modules: GDDR2 800 2GB 128MX8 1.8V EP
Can anyone help me spot the problem?

Thanks

 

[Aeacus]

GDDR2 800 2GB 128MX8 1.8V EP

GDDR2 is Graphics card VRAM, not the RAM that you put into MoBo. Hence why it doesn't work.
GDDR2 is used with e.g GeForce FX 5700 Ultra and GeForce FX 5800 Ultra GPUs.

For proper DDR2,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/memory/#b=ddr2&sort=price&page=1

 

[bignastyid]

GDDR2 is Graphics card VRAM, not the RAM that you put into MoBo. Hence why it doesn't work.
GDDR2 is used with e.g GeForce FX 5700 Ultra and GeForce FX 5800 Ultra GPUs.

For proper DDR2,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/memory/#b=ddr2&sort=price&page=1

Very unlikely to actually be GDDR as I don't think come in dimms. More likely a typo or labeled by someone with limited knowledge of ram.

@jk_1966 what is the model number on the ram?

 

[Aeacus]

Very unlikely to actually be GDDR as I don't think come in dimms. More likely a typo or labeled by someone with limited knowledge of ram.

Found a listing that sells it in DIMMs,
ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174381118455

And even the label says GDDR2;

So.... everything is possible. 😆

 

[bignastyid]

Found a listing that sells it in DIMMs,
ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174381118455

And even the label says GDDR2;

So.... everything is possible. 😆

If you do a quick search for the Elpida model E1108AFBG-8E-F that is on the chips in your pic it is DDR2 not GDDR2. So just falsely labeled. So as I said " More likely a typo or labeled by someone with limited knowledge of ram."

 

[jk_1966]

My DIMMs are exactly like Aeacus' photo... So, they are normal DIMMs but falsely labeled? And if so why they are not recognized by the mobo? What characteristics should I shop for?

 

[Aeacus]

And if so why they are not recognized by the mobo?

DDR2 is so old and when you buy on 2nd hand market, question is if it even works.

What characteristics should I shop for?

Ideal would be, if you could get your hands on your MoBo Memory QVL list. Since that contains the RAM sticks, that Dell has tested and confirmed to work with MoBo.

But since you have Dell, i don't think the memory QVL list is available publicly. Here, best bet would be contacting Dell and ask them to send you the memory QVL list for MoBo, or the very least, send you exact RAM part numbers, that work with your MoBo. So you can search for that RAM. Perhaps even buy the RAM directly from Dell, if they have the old stock.

One option, would be buying the same exact RAM your system came with. That is, IF the RAM sticks have labels on, so you can identify the RAM. But if there aren't any labels, contact Dell.

Biggest issue with all Dell prebuilts, that use proprietary hardware (like your MoBo), can have hardware restrictions on, placed by Dell, whereby only Dell certified hardware (RAM) works with Dell proprietary MoBo.
I've seen it happen several times. Someone has Dell prebuilt, tries to upgrade their PC, and find out hard way that common hardware doesn't work. Instead, they have to get Dell certified hardware.

Overall, best option is buying new PC. And stay away from Dell prebuilt PCs.