RAM selection help please

[CADTenchy]

I've just bought a Dell PC with RAM that CPU-Z detects as:

FB-DDR2, PC2-5300 (333 MHz), 2048 MBytes, Hyundai Electronics

The quote describes it as:

Memory : 4096MB (2x2048) 667MHz DDR2 Quad Channel FBD

If I add this memory from Novatech to the PC, will I compromise any speed performance?

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?CSR-X644G5

If so, can anyone recommend suitable memory, comparable to that already fitted, to buy in UK?

 

[BadBigBen]

The Corsair Mem will run under spec, meaning it will be slower than what it is suppused to run at...

and a bit pricey, too... go with along the lines of a DDR2-533 or DDR2-667...
e.g.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?CSR-VS662G

PS: Post what model Dell you have, that way we could better inform you as to what RAM could be in that box...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[CADTenchy]

Good idea. See below.

I should have mentioned, I do appreciate the new RAM would be under-run, 'governed' by the existing RAM.
I don't really get the quad channel implications etc.

I want to retain the existing RAM and add either 1 pair(2x2gig) or maybe 2 pairs(2x 2x2gig), to give me either 8gig or 12gig total respectively.
I liked the ones I posted as they were reasonably priced, and c/w with the token heatsinking.
If they would function as well as the existing in my system, I would be happy.

Processor(s)

Number of processors 2
Number of cores 4 per processor
Number of threads 4 per processor
Name Intel Xeon E5420
Code Name Harpertown
Specification Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5420 @ 2.50GHz
Package Socket 771 LGA
Family/Model/Stepping 6.7.A
Extended Family/Model 6.17
Core Stepping E0
Technology 45 nm
Core Speed 1995.1 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 6.0 x 332.5 MHz
Rated Bus speed 1330.1 MHz
Stock frequency 2500 MHz
Instruction sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, EM64T
L1 Data cache (per processor) 4 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache (per processor) 4 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache (per processor) 2 x 6144 KBytes, 24-way set associative, 64-byte line size

Chipset & Memory

Northbridge Intel 5400A rev. C0
Southbridge Intel 6321ESB rev. 09
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type FB-DDR2
Memory Size 4096 MBytes
Memory Frequency 332.5 MHz (1:1)
CAS# Latency (tCL) 5.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 15 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 20 clocks

System

System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Name Precision WorkStation T5400
System S/N GR8924J
Mainboard Vendor Dell Inc.
Mainboard Model 0RW203
BIOS Vendor Dell Inc.
BIOS Version A04
BIOS Date 08/21/2008

Memory SPD

Module 1 FB-DDR2, PC2-5300 (333 MHz), 2048 MBytes, Hyundai Electronics
Module 2 FB-DDR2, PC2-5300 (333 MHz), 2048 MBytes, Hyundai Electronics

Software

Windows Version Microsoft Windows XP x64 Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 3790)
DirectX Version 9.0c

 

[paparazi]

Three things came to mind:
1) As this is a socket 771 sever board....you need to check wether is is using ECC memory (the norm on standard desktop machines is non ECC, the type you have selected)

2) The type of ram you selected needs a slight over volt to run at it's optimal timings (which won't be possible running along side standard modules

3) Have you checked how many slots you have available/

If you are using this ram along side you existing stuff and it turns out to be Non ECC, then standard modules might be better for compatibility ie;

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?CSR-VS664G

Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[CADTenchy]

OK, Dell were of no use in identifying the RAM, jeez.
So back home tonight, a peek in the BIOS confirms it is indeed ECC.

I couldn't find any voltages presented in the BIOS, so is there a way of checking what voltage my current RAM is running at?

One other interesting thing (maybe?) is that whilst the Dell quote stated the RAM was quad channel FBD, in the bios it states:

Memory Channel Mode: Dual
Memory Technology: FB-DIMM DDR2 SDRAM (ECC)

Is the 'Memory Channel Mode: Dual' the same spec the quote's quad channel refers to, or is the 'Memory Channel Mode: Dual' referring to the fact the RAM is fitted in pairs?



Steve (Delphi 2007 & XP)

 

[cdogg]

Your situation is unique to most, because you are dealing with a server-class configuration. Don't let the "Quad-channel FBD" lingo fool you. It is related to the riser card interface as described in the link below:

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2816&p=6

As you can see, this is completely separate from the "dual-channel" memory architecture that is more commonly known to most folks. On a normal PC without riser cards, quad-channel means nothing.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[CADTenchy]

I think I have found someone selling the right modules:

http://www.orcalogic.co.uk/asp/prodtype.asp?prodtype=39654&ft=m

Anyone have knowledge of orcalogic, good or bad?


Steve (Delphi 2007 & XP)