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Thread: How much RAM can i support?

  1. #1
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    How much RAM can i support?

    ok, below is all my info on my mainboard, and i was wondering if and how much more RAM i could support. . .i know this is a really old and crappy computer, but it's lasted me this long. . .its a 2000 model, but it's gotten the job done for me. O and if anyone has any estimates on how much more RAM would cost, that would be great too. Thank you in advance.

    Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corp.
    Product : 02Y832
    Version : Unspecified
    Serial Number : ..CN4811137F0712.
    Support MP : Yes, 1 CPU(s)
    Version MPS : 1.4

    Chassis Information :
    Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
    Type : Mini Tower
    Version : Unspecified
    Serial Number : G9FKG31
    Asset : Unspecified

    On-Board Device Information :
    Device : Intel Pro 100 VE Network Connection (Ethernet)
    Device : AC'97 Audio Controller (Sound)
    Embedded Controller : No

    Slots Information :
    Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 5.0v, 3.3v
    Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 5.0v, 3.3v
    Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 5.0v, 3.3v
    Slot AGP 8X : In Use (32-bit) 3.3v

    External Connectors :
    Parallel PS/2 : DB25 female
    Serial 16550A Compatible : DB-9 male
    Keyboard : PS/2
    Mouse : PS/2
    USB : Access Bus (USB)
    USB : Access Bus (USB)
    USB : Access Bus (USB)
    USB : Access Bus (USB)
    USB : Access Bus (USB)
    USB : Access Bus (USB)
    USB : Access Bus (USB)
    USB : Access Bus (USB)
    Network : RJ-45
    Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)
    Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)
    Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)
    Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)
    Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)
    Audio : Mini-jack (headphones)

  2. #2
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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    No way of knowing with what you've provided. That service tag G9FKG31 is valid, but on the Dell website it comes up with a US system made in 2003.

    If you can get the service tag off the back of the PC and post that up it might be possible to guess the chipset on the motherboard from dell's website.

    Given it's a Dell from years ago, it'll be an Intel Chipset. Given you say year 2000, it's most likely going to only take 512Mb. That is unless it's got RDRAM, in which case it'll be an expensive upgrade.

    Without knowing the exact chipset, it'll be a guess though.

  3. #3
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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    ok, here's all the details on the chipset. i didn't know you needed that to tell, my bad.


    General Information :
    NorthBridge : Intel i865G
    SouthBridge : 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) LPC Interface Bridge

    NorthBridge Information :
    Architecture : HUB
    Manufacturer : Intel (Dell Computer Corp)
    Codename : Springdale
    Revision : A2
    Bus Speed : 133 MHz
    FSB Frequency : 532 MHz (QDR)
    PAT Enabled : Unspecified
    FSB max. Support : 800 MHz
    RAM max. Support : DDR (400 MHz)

    Memory Information :
    Type : DDR-SDRAM PC2700
    Frequency : 166.3 MHz
    DRAM/FSB Ratio : 5/4
    Supported Channels : Dual (128-bit)
    Activated Channels : Dual
    Mode : Linear
    PAT Enabled : Unspecified
    ECC Diagnostic : No
    CAS Latency (tCL) : 2.5 clocks
    RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 3 clocks
    RAS Precharge (tRP) : 3 clocks
    Cycle Time (tRAS) : 7 clocks

    Bus Information :
    Version : 3.0
    Transfert Rate supported : 4x, 8x
    Transfert Rate : 8x
    Aperture Size : 128 MB
    AGP enabled : Yes

    Video Information :
    Integrated Controller : No
    Enabled : No

    APIC Information :
    Version : 2.00
    Maximum Interrupts : 24
    IRQ Handler enabled : Yes

    Hub Interface Information :
    Version : 1.00
    Time Slice : 0
    Width : 8-bit
    Full Duplex : Yes
    Frequency : 4x (264 MHz)
    Multiplier : 1/1x

    Device Capabilities (PCI) :
    I/O Access : No
    Memory Access : Yes
    Bus Master Capable : Yes
    Special Cycle Recognition : No
    Memory Write & Invalidate : No
    VGA Palette Snoop : No
    Parity Error Response : No
    Cycle Wait : No
    System Error Line : Yes
    Fast Back-to-Back : No
    Detects Parity Errors : No
    User Defined Format : No
    PCI 66Mhz Bus Support : No
    New Capability List : Yes
    PCI Support : Vendor-Dependant
    PCI Support : AGP

  4. #4
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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    Looks to me like DDR from this

    Quote Originally Posted by wantedd View Post
    Memory Information :
    Type : DDR-SDRAM PC2700
    Frequency : 166.3 MHz
    DRAM/FSB Ratio : 5/4
    Supported Channels : Dual (128-bit)
    Activated Channels : Dual
    Mode : Linear
    PAT Enabled : Unspecified
    ECC Diagnostic : No
    CAS Latency (tCL) : 2.5 clocks
    RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 3 clocks
    RAS Precharge (tRP) : 3 clocks
    Cycle Time (tRAS) : 7 clocks
    What is the actual motherboard? Run CPU-Z on it and give us a print screen of it.
    Last edited by moogle; 07-09-2008 at 03:59 PM. Reason: I.R Blind

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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    Chipset can support up to 4GB of RAM or 1GB stick per slot.

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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    Quote Originally Posted by CooperXS View Post
    Chipset can support up to 4GB of RAM or 1GB stick per slot.
    you sure about that?

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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    That's a fair bit newer than 2000!

    Chipset can do 4Gb, but depending exactly which dell it is it'll either have 2 slots or 4. 1Gb per slot means you'll either have a max of 2Gb or 4Gb.

    Might aswell stick with dual-channel mode as you're currently using it. If you've got 4 slots, and 2 are still free, you can add another pair. If you've only two you'll have to junk the existing pair and replace them.

    2x512Mb to get/add 1Gb is about £30, 2x1Gb to get/add 2Gb is about £50.

    Actually, given it's not from the year 2000, the system tag that's in the first post might actually be right. Which'll make it a Dimension 4600, which has 4 slots. If it's still got the 512Mb it shipped with, there'll be two slots free.

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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    Check the spec page or info on the motherboard page first before you go buying ram unless you aren't going for 4gb (hard to find anyway).
    Just because it has 4 slots doesn't mean it will handle 4gb. Unless CooperXS and james have seen the chipset official specs and know it can actually take 4gb.

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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    The datasheets for the 865G are available from Intel and they do state a maximum of 4Gb.

    However, it's still worth checking with Dell for an exact confirmation. The chipset might support 4Gb but that doesn't mean every implementation of it will.

    Easiest way of finding out is to punch the exact model into crucial.com and see what that reckons, it's usually correct.

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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    ahh good then
    I thought you guys were just assuming 4 slots = 4 gig wahay!
    Just making sure.

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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    alright, thanks for all the help guys, i dont think i'll go with the max of 4 Gb, i think i'll just stick with 2Gb to be sure not to overload anything. I'm not doing anything too fancy with this, that's what i based my opinion, but thanks for all the help guys, i really appreciate it.

  12. #12
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    Re: How much RAM can i support?

    ahh well 2gb on any board that age I'm 99% sure will be fine.
    good luck with it.

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