RAM upgrade for Dell 8400

[HomeSA]

Geetings;
I need a little help with adding 2 GB RAM to my Dell Dimension 8400 with XP Home edition. I believe these are the PC specs:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/SM/specs.htm#wp1052308

The best I can tell is that I need to add a pair of 1GB DDR2-400 RAM. Newegg only lists 512 MB DDR2-400 RAM. Can I use/mix higher speed RAM like DDR2-533 or DDR2-667, since there are choices with 1 GB capacity and some are on sale? Will these play nice with the DDR2-400 I have now, albeit at lower speed?

Thanks a bunch for any help.


Belarc tells me:
Slot 'CHANNEL A DIMM 0' has 512 MB
Slot 'CHANNEL B DIMM 0' has 512 MB
Slot 'CHANNEL A DIMM 1' is Empty
Slot 'CHANNEL B DIMM 1' is Empty

Everest tells me:
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4 540, 3200 MHz (16 x 200)
Motherboard Name: Dell Dimension 8400
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Alderwood i925X
System Memory: 1024 MB (DDR2-400 DDR2 SDRAM)

[PrntRhd]

Try the online scan at Crucial to see what the specs are on your current RAM:
www.crucial.com

Note: You have to use IE for the visit, requires an Active-X component to run.

[jlreich]

Yes you can use the faster ram. If the mobo doesn't support the faster speeds it will just clock it down to what it does support.

533 and 667 will be fine, but I would stay away from 800 just to be sure.

EDIT- Even crucial shows 800 as being compatible.

[HomeSA]

Try the online scan at Crucial to see what the specs are on your current RAM:
www.crucial.com

Thanks PrntRhd for the suggestion. This PC is standalone, not connected to the Internet. It has no protection.

Yes you can use the faster ram. If the mobo doesn't support the faster speeds it will just clock it down to what it does support.

Thanks jlreich. It is great to know. I assume it would be a good idea to swap the faster/larger 1 GB RAM sticks to slots 1 and 2, and move the 512 RAM sticks to slots 3 and 4. True?

[jlreich]

It wouldn't hurt. :)

[HomeSA]

Well, I bought Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) RAM and installed it this morning, using anti static wrist wrap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134384

The computer recognizes the RAM (shows a total of 3GB), but after about 5-10 minutes of running, the PC reboots by itself starting by flashing the optical drive lights.

Under BIOS, the speed for all the sticks show 400, and there is no auto, or manual speed adjustment.

Help please. What is wrong? Did I get the wrong RAM?

Mods, should I repost under Core Hardware subforum?

Thanks for any help.

[saphalline]

I almost always use Crucial's memory advisor for OEM systems for this very reason. Buy Crucial - it's 100% guaranteed!!

The problem with the RAM you bought is most likely a timings issue at the 400 MHz mark. And without the ability to dictate your own settings, you're at the mercy of what the Dell BIOS considers to be "acceptable" when doing an SPD poll. At two speed bins below the rated performance for that Kingston RAM, who knows what the DDR2-400 settings would be?

[HomeSA]

Thanks Saphalline,

I sort of thought about the same thing, especially that somewhere on the Internet I read that with this PC, the pair of RAM sticks have to match on the speed. So I am returning the ones I bought and ordered a pair of 400 RAM sticks, althought 512 MB each. I'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the reply !!!

[HomeSA]

Speaking of RAM specs .....

Does anyone know of a freeware utility that provides details of a PC's RAM? The ones I use, like Everest, Belarc, etc do not give much detail on installed RAM.

Thanks

[Ajmukon]

PC wizard 2008
www.cpuid.com

[HomeSA]

PC wizard 2008
www.cpuid.com

Thanks. It's just what I was looking for :)

[saphalline]

Not even the best software can truly tell you everything about your hardware. It is inherently dependent upon the OS kernel and adequate drivers, and even then can only perform standard polling operations.

The best way to be absolutely certain of your hardware's specs is to look at it with your own eyes and research the manufacturer's codes.

[Ajmukon]

Thanks. It's just what I was looking for :)
your welcome!

EDIT: yes, i found that out (the hard way), but PC Wizard is pretty in depth about RAM.
and can give you a pretty good picture about your system, without opening it up

[HomeSA]

The best way to be absolutely certain of your hardware's specs is to look at it with your own eyes and research the manufacturer's codes.

I completely agree and that is what I used to do. That is, open up a desktop case, and write down every number on the hardware, chips, whatever, and then Google for info.

But, ever since I hurt my back, I avoid moving heavy desktops around and try to do some homework with utility software for quick peek inside a PC. Like taking an X-ray before an operation :D

[jlreich]

Did you try removing the old ram and running just the new sticks?

It may be the system just doesn't want to play with them together being too different.

I almost always use Crucial's memory advisor for OEM systems for this very reason. Buy Crucial - it's 100% guaranteed!!
And usually a lot more expensive. :eek: Unless of course if you go to Newegg and find the exact same model.

Usually if crucial has a good size list of compatible sticks you don't have to worry too much about it. It's when Crucial lists only one or two sticks that you need to be concerned.

[PrntRhd]

And usually a lot more expensive. Unless of course if you go to Newegg and find the exact same model.
Actually not so much more these days, they adjusted their prices.

[saphalline]

Yes, direct from Crucial is more expensive. But that's the price you pay for buying an OEM wherein there are no BIOS options related to RAM. ;)

[HomeSA]

Did you try removing the old ram and running just the new sticks?

It may be the system just doesn't want to play with them together being too different.

No I didn't. It didn't occur to me, but that's a good idea. It is too late now since I shipped the sticks back and the 400 sticks are due to arrive tomorrow.

BTW, I did search the Crucial site, not their on-line advisor since this PC is not on the Internet. Their listed compatible memory for this PC was listed as below and that's also why I went with the sticks I ordered.

2GB kit (1GBx2)
CT448357 DDR2 PC2-4200 • CL=4 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-533 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64
2GB kit (1GBx2)
CT465583 DDR2 PC2-5300 • 3-3-3-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 2.2V • 128Meg x 64
2GB kit (1GBx2)
CT465684 DDR2 PC2-6400 • 4-4-4-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-800 • 2.2V • SLI-Ready • 128Meg x 64
2GB kit (1GBx2)
CT568739 DDR2 PC2-6400 • 4-4-4-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-800 • 2.2V • SLI-Ready • 128Meg x 64
2GB kit (1GBx2)
CT611703 DDR2 PC2-5300 • 3-3-3-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 2.2V • 128Meg x 64
1GB kit (512MBx2)
CT446405 DDR2 PC2-4200 • CL=4 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-533 • 1.8V • 64Meg x 64
1GB kit (512MBx2)
CT465886 DDR2 PC2-5300 • 3-3-3-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 2.2V • 64Meg x 64
1GB kit (512MBx2)
CT465987 DDR2 PC2-6400 • 4-4-4-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-800 • 2.2V • SLI-Ready • 64Meg x 64
1GB kit (512MBx2)
CT567684 DDR2 PC2-6400 • 4-4-4-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-800 • 2.2V • 64Meg x 64
1GB kit (512MBx2)
CT613947 DDR2 PC2-5300 • 3-3-3-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 2.2V • 64Meg x 64
512MB kit (256MBx2)
CT447089 DDR2 PC2-4200 • CL=4 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-533 • 1.8V • 32Meg x 64

[HomeSA]

But that's the price you pay for buying an OEM wherein there are no BIOS options related to RAM. ;)

The first and last time for me.

[HomeSA]

To bring this Thread to closure for future reader ....

This morning, I installed:
Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 400 (PC2 3200)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144166

The PC has been working all day without any problems.

[jlreich]

It's very possible one of the two previous stick were bad. Just out or curiosity did you ever run any ram tests on them?

Either way glad it's working now. :)

[HomeSA]

It's very possible one of the two previous stick were bad. Just out or curiosity did you ever run any ram tests on them?

No I didn't test the RAM. Normally I would, but in this case I was in a rush to get this PC back into working shape and running memtest, etc, would take it out of service.

BTW, I have dedicated this PC to scanning my collection of 35mm film negatives. Since I use Digital ICE for dust removal, etc, the scanning times are very long, about 90 minutes for 16 negatives. I was hoping the extra RAM would speed up the Digital ICE process, which it didn't. It turns out Digital ICE is mostly dependent on CPU speed.

I put the best "sad face" on over the dinner table and mentioned that I am disappointed and that I really need to build a faster PC. The voice across the table had no sympathy and said, "that's OK, you can do other things around the house while the PC is scanning" :(

Cheers

[saphalline]

I was hoping the extra RAM would speed up the Digital ICE process, which it didn't. It turns out Digital ICE is mostly dependent on CPU speed.Oh bummer! You should have mentioned this earlier - I could have told you that! :(

The voice across the table had no sympathy and said, "that's OK, you can do other things around the house while the PC is scanning"Double bummer! :(