Upgrading Memory on Dell Dimension 8200

I would like to add memory to my Dell Dimension 8200 but I'm not sure whether to go with bars that provide one Gig and occupy all 4 slots or go with a higher bar that provides the full 2 Gig allowance, can some of you members tell me if there is a better way to go on this issue ...and also if there are any hidden risks to doing this. Thanks!

 

How many actual ram sticks do you have and how much actual memory. Rdram slots have to be all filled so if you don't have 4 ram sticks then there are fillers in the other slots not in actual use.
Rdram is ungodly expensive so how much do you have and how much do you want to have? eBay is the only way to afford this ram these days.

 

As of yet I have not purchased any memory! ..I am waiting for advanced users advice! and you are correct it is expensive memory, so I am planning on an eBay purchase. To give you a better picture ...The following is specs from the user manual :

Memory Architecture RDRAM Memory connectors four Memory capacities 64, 128, 256 and 512 MB non ECC RDRAM Minimum memory 128 MB Maximum memory 2 GB with Microsoft ® Windows 2000 and Windows XP; 512 MB with Windows Millennium Edition (Me) Memory type PC800 (non ECC) Memory speed 40 ns or faster.

 

Actually I have seen these units with 4 gb Rd ram but you have to remember the maker often times does not show the full amount available to protect themselves. Windows Me can run 1 Gb ram also but they show 512 meg because it may not run very well that way depending on the user and the programs onboard. I asked what was in it already because that's the best way to judge how much to add. I would have 4 512 meg sticks in there but you absolutely have to match it by model number or the system will not run. Rd ram is way fussier than sd ram in that respect.

 

Rich, I now have 512MB of Ram on this Demension 8200

 

Sorry I could not edit the previous reply! Also when you say "you absolutely have to match it by model number or the system will not run" does that mean these cheap memory sticks on Ebay may not work?

 

No I didn't mean that because eBay has the good and the bad but you need to find memory with the exact model number of what you have or replace it all. I suspect that means you have 2 256 sticks so if you want to use them and add 1 gb you need to find sticks of the same mo0del # as the ones you have, not speed, model # or they will not run. I have been there down that road before it it was an expensive lesson. Not all listers on eBay give you the full description.

 

OK the model number may not be as avaialable as I think but the reason I suggested that is Cas Latency and ECC factor must be the same on the ram you are adding or it will not work. You cannot mix ECC ram and Non Ecc ram.

 

Thanks Rich, That is certainly something I did not realize! what do you think about these Ebay listings, and what questions should I ask them before purchasing this memory? http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...dell+dimension+8200+memory&_sacat=0&_from=R40

 

OK here is the answer....first if you are going to use your memory then you have to find out if yours is ECC or NON ECC as you cannot mix them as I said earloier. If you are buying all of it new now then you can use either as long as all 4 are the same ECC or NON ECC. But here is the rule. Find out what your processor is then follow this rule:
"If your Dimension 8200 has a CPU faster than 2.1GHz, then you must use PC800-40 or PC1066-32 memory. PC800-45 units will only work in Dimension 8200 if the CPU speed is slower than 2.1GHz"
If you don't know which your cpu is then run "SIW or System Properties in your computer to find out. Actually if you right click MyComputer and then choose properties that screen should tell you that also.

 

Rich this is copied from my System Properties: Pentium 4 CPU 2.53 GHz 2.52 GHz, 512Mb of Ram.
So I need either PC800-40 or PC1066-32 memory! ...is that correct for this processor?

 

Hello Dragnet What about this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1GB-4-x-256...0366080?pt=US_Memory_RAM_&hash=item20dc9f1300

 

Actually Tony I asked that question and all he answered was he has not bought anything for it but I can't see where he said it has Non-Ecc memory but he does say the pc takes that...a bit confusing and I missed that actually.

 

That is correct John.

 

Sorry for the confusion Guys! ...the memory I need for this machine according to the Dell Manual calls for PC-800 Non ECC I realize I am only going up to 1 Gig with the $12.00 memory, but as someone here said I don't want to sink money into this questionable old Machine! But I need to kick it up to a little because it is really dragging! ...Also if i did find a good price on a 2 Gig upgrade, what would be the MB's on those memory bars ....2 512s and 2 slot fillers? Thanks Again Rich & Dragnet I appreciate all of your help!

 

Yeah you might be better off buying it all at the same time to be safer.....glad to help it is what we are here for.

 

Thanks Again for the help Rich & Dragnet, I ordered the $12.00 memory this morning! Funny thing I noticed as I was ordering it said it was the last one left! ...as soon as I completed the pay pal information I looked back at the ebay page and there is a New Listing Same Seller, same memory, ...Now the price is $10.98!!!