-=PCTechTalk=- Re: A few more memory questions plz
- From: Gman <gman.pctt@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 18:40:13 -0400
Hi Rudy,
Answers are below.
Peace,
G
"The only dumb questions are the ones we fail to ask!"
----- Original Message -----
From: "rudy" <rudylopeznc@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 4:40 PM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- A few more memory questions plz
> Below is a link from a cruical memory scan:
> http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=5A76EB6731D926C3
>
>
> Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-4200,DDR2 PC2-5300,DDR2 PC2-6400 with a
> maximum of 1GB per slot.*
>
> I have 2 sticks of DDR PC2-5200 installed yet it isn't listed above as
> compatible?
Note that all of my answers assume that this scan has produced accurate
results.
While they may seem to be working fine, you're not running the right modules
for that mainboard. Since you have a Dell system (the XPS 410 according to
the link you sent), the correct modules will have to be ones that will work
with Dell systems (not all do). So, the board is either pushing them either
more or less then the speed they are designed to be run and they may fail
prematurely as a result.
RAM (and CPUs) do not run at a set speed. Instead, they are capable of
running over a wide range of speeds. However, they do have a 'rated' speed
at which the manufacturer can predict the results. RAM and CPUs can
successfully be run higher (overclocked) or lower (underclocked) than this
rated speed if you know what you're doing and can afford to replace anything
you destroy in the process. Another important thing to understand is that
some memory modules are designed to be run at different voltages than
others, even with all other specs being the same. This also affects which
module sets should be used with any given system.
Without intentional or unintentional over and underclocking, when different
speed RAM modules are used, then all of the modules should clock to the
speed of the slowest stick. In reality, mixing RAM speeds can cause your
system to be unstable (but not necessarily so). For that reason, it's
always best to use RAM of the same speed that has been approved by the maker
of the board. You can usually find this info at the board manufacturer's
site. For Dell systems, the link is below.
http://tinyurl.com/5upwtn
The Crucial link you sent can also to guide you towards the correct RAM.
The benefit there would be bypassing Dell's insistence that you buy your RAM
directly from them. lol
> How much of a benefit would adding 1GB stick of PC2-6400 so my system
> would
> run at 6400 instead of 5200? 10% at best?
According to Ken Blake (Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience):
These RAM "speeds" are not really speeds at all, but speed ratings--the
speeds they have been tested to reliably work at. The actual speed the RAM
runs at is the speed the motherboard is set to run it at. For safety, that
*should be* the lowest of the speeds, but isn't necessarily. If it's a
higher speed, you are overclocking at least some of the RAM, and are at risk
of failure, with consequent risk to your data.
Addendum by Gman:
The moment you add or subtract a single stick, you remove the system's
ability to run the memory in dual-channel mode. If you are trying to get as
close as possible to the maximum memory that the WinXP 32-bit OS can handle,
you will want a matched pair of 1GB modules and a matched pair of 512MB
modules with BOTH sets running at the top rated speed of the mainboard
(PC2-6400). All modules selected for this task should also be approved for
use on the board by the manufacturer (or at least tested for use by the
memory maker, as is the case with the Crucial site).
> I bought two more sticks of the 6400 so I could add both for 4GB but since
> XP will only see 3GB is there any reason to go with 4GB instead of 3GB? If
> I
> only put 1 pc-6400 GB stick in I'll have a 1GB pc-6400 just sitting
> around:)
>
> Here is the memory I bought, good cheap stuff but it's the fastest my
> system
> will see.
>
> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1558870&sku=C19-4332&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1610V
Since you already bought the additional RAM, put them both in and see how
the system runs. the best part about it is that you'll be replacing two
slower modules with two that run at the same speed as the other two 1GB
modules, which also appears to be the top speed of the board. My guess is
that it will run fine, but will only recognize and use the 3.12GB or so that
XP is capable of utilizing. While the rest will not be seen or used,
putting in both will still allow the system to run in dual-channel mode. If
you ever decide to upgrade to the 64-bit version of WinXP or any version of
Vista, the system will then be able to use all of the available RAM.
> Thanks, I'm out and have a great weekend all.
>
> Rudy
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