Physical dimensions of RAM chips

[Beach]

I managed to come by 2Gb of RAM yesterday which I excitedly took home to plug into my system. The problem was that they didn't fit. The notch in the bottom didn't line up with the raised bit in the motherboard memeory slot (and yes, it was the right way round). It was only slightly out but no amount of brute force could get it in.

Is it possible to make it fit by shaving off some plastic or is this just a stupid idea? How do I ensure in future that if I get some more memory then it'll fit in my motherboard slots?

[chrestomanci]

First you need to double check it is the right type. Are you absolutely certain you are not trying to put SDRAM into a DDR-2 slot etc.

The RAM slots on my old Gigabyte board where very tight, I think the slot as about half a milimeter smaller than the memory, and it took quite a bit of effort to get the RAM in. Perhaps you have a similar problem. Have you tried the RAM in another board?

[chuckskull]

If it's more than a few mm then you have the wrong RAM.

[danroyle]

i have problems getting my golden dragons in boards they do fit but you really have to push them in which is a little scary as golden dragons are wafer thin and don't have heatspreaders on but they do go

anymore than a mil or 2 difference though is not good and if you shaved the plastic bit would the pins/gold bits line up properly

[Beach]

Ah, you could have it there. I automaticaly assumed that it was the right RAM. They are DDR-2 slots I believe but I will double check when I get home. Thanks for the help.

[Beach]

I'm confused now. I've checked on the web and the machine that the RAM came from comes supplied with DDR2 RAM so does this mean that my motherboard (which is new and was only fitted in July) doesn't support it? I'll check later but I'm sure that it has three DDR2 slots.

It's quite weird as they are only just out but it's enough to feel as if I'm going to slice my thumbs open trying to get them in. I can get one end to lock but not the other. Hmmm maybe more brute force is required but I don't want to cause any damage - mind you, I'm covered for accidental damage on the insurance

[DanceswithUnix]

Does sound like the ram is the wrong type. Any identifying marks on the boards?

It could be registered DDR2 ram, which would not work in the unregistered ram slots you normally get in a PC.

[dave87]

What processor and motherboard are you using?

That will help is to identify what RAM is suitable for your motherboard

[Beach]

Ahh, good point. It's from a Dell machine that I....er....found at work....not doing alot. Would the fact that it's Dell mean that it's more likely to be registered ram?

There's a label on each stick that says:

1Gb-2Rx8-PC2-3200U-333-10-B1
KRH M378T2953BG0 CCC 0443

I've looked around the net for the part code and can only turn up sticks with a KR prefix not KRH. Don't know if that means anything

[Beach]

What processor and motherboard are you using?

That will help is to identify what RAM is suitable for your motherboard

The processor is an old 2.53Ghz P4 (without Hyper-Threading). the motherboard is a gigabyte board but I can't remember the model. I'll look when I get home

[nichomach]

*edit* Ooops, wrong way round. I'd guess your board is a S478 board, and that it probably only supports DDR, not DDR2.

[chuckskull]

Did the old Dell machine happen to be a server? That'd explain why it doesn't fit.

[Beach]

Did the old Dell machine happen to be a server? That'd explain why it doesn't fit.

It wasn't a server, no. It's a Dell Optiplex GX280 - it's the type that lays flat on the desk, not a tower unit.

[shaithis]

Memory might be RAMBUS....

[nichomach]

The GX280 Desktop units don't use RAMBUS, and they don't use registered memory. They DO use DDR2, and if the board that he's trying to whack the stuff into currently holds a 2.53GHz non-HT'ed P4 then it's pretty certain to be a S478 board that uses DDR, not DDR2.

GX280 Specs

[Beach]

You're probably right Nichomach [sigh], so much for my 2Gb free upgrade. Thanks everyone for your help.