er.......RDRAM question

[bshef]

Would like to upgrade a Dell I bought last year with (512MB PC800 RDRAM) to 1 gig.

So I go to the crucial site and type in all the stuff they ask for (manufacturer, model, etc....) and crucial reports the demand for this type of memory is too low so they don't offer it!

What the hell should I do?......Don't even know if I got (2)- 256 sticks or one 512 in there......hmmmm.

Thanks in advance!

[EvilRick]

You probably have 2X256. If not, you've got 1X512 and a CRIMM (Continuity RIMM).

Open the case and see how many RIMM slots you have.

Price Watch lists 512MB PC1066 as high as $218/RIMM. Wow!

[MitaDC]

I thought RDRAM had to have 2 or 4 slots full to run right...

[EvilRick]

It does. The CRIMM is used so you only have to have a single stick. I'm guessing there are probably 2X256 RIMMS in that box though.

If he wants 1GB, he'll have to get 2X512. Over $400 . . .

[bshef]

appreciate the reply.....

You were correct Rick......
....box has 2 sticks.......samsung 256.....never have I seen this type with a big metal piece encasing one side......

Additionally....there is 4 slots....and the additional 2 have what appear to be "dumby" pieces by dell? Must be "Crimms"? Have to go look up the part number over at dell (pwb 9578d rev a02) or (0001 94v-0) or (0235 21)....don't know which it is but I'll look it up.

Are there any alternatives than getting the expensive memory?

Thanks
Brad

[EvilRick]

Since you have 4 slots, you can just get two more 256MB RIMMS.

CompGeeks has NonECC for $84.50/ea. Do you know if what you have is ECC or Non? Probably Non.

You can't use anything but RDRAM in that machine.

[bshef]

K....that's much better than $400+

So.....next question is.....
How to tell if ecc or non? Guess I have to go to samsung and look up the numbers on these sticks I have!

Thanks for your time and the link!

any other suggestions for speeding up this pc?

[EvilRick]

Try something like CPU-Z or AIDA32 to see if you're ECC or not.

The CPU-Z is pretty basic, AIDA32 will give you lots of info about your machine.

More RAM is not necessarily going to speed up your PC. Will just allow more apps open at once and the ability to mess w/ larger files.

Faster components will make your machine faster, not more of them.