RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

[Guest hidekelip]

Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and found

out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from

around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of memory

I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as

with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,

such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to

the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

 

Please help me out!

 

 

--

a response is always welcome...

[Guest David H. Lipman]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

From: "hidekelip" <hidekelip@discussions.microsoft.com>

 

| Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

| upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and found

| out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from

| around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of memory

| I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as

| with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,

| such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to

| the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

|

| Please help me out!

|

 

You are SOL. RDRAM is a standard that did not take off. Thus you you have to pay market

price.

You may have better luck in the used RAM market.

 

--

Dave

http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html

Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

[Guest Bob I]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

If it requires RDRAM, you're stuck. I guess it boils down to how badly

you want to upgrade the memory. That issue was caused by excessive

licensing fees preventing widespread adopting of a technology.

 

hidekelip wrote:

> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

> upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and found

> out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from

> around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of memory

> I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as

> with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,

> such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to

> the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

>

> Please help me out!

>

>

[Guest John]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

Rambus (RDRAM), as far as I know, is a failed product. It's not widely

adopted and expensive as hell. They normally sell in the hundred bucks

neighborhood. Your options are pretty much leave it as is, spend hundreds of

$$$ to upgrade RAM or buy a new PC.

 

"hidekelip" <hidekelip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:57823CD6-53DC-40A2-A2E5-7C468E5505D7@microsoft.com...

> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

> upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and

> found

> out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from

> around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of

> memory

> I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70

> as

> with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my

> memory,

> such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender

> to

> the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

>

> Please help me out!

>

>

> --

> a response is always welcome...

[Guest PD43]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

hidekelip <hidekelip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Please help me out!

 

You probably would be better off putting that money into a new

computer.

[Guest HeyBub]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

hidekelip wrote:

> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

> upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and

> found out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices

> vary from around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on

> what size of memory I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be

> around, I dont know, 50-$70 as with other types of memory. Is there

> any other way I can upgrade my memory, such as using SDRAM or

> someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to the fact that

> I need such expensive memory....?

>

> Please help me out!

 

For that much money, you can replace the motherboard with more

pocketbook-friendly RAM.

 

Or replace the entire computer with a much better one.

[Guest Patrick Keenan]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

"hidekelip" <hidekelip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:57823CD6-53DC-40A2-A2E5-7C468E5505D7@microsoft.com...

> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

> upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and

> found

> out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from

> around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of

> memory

> I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70

> as

> with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my

> memory,

 

No, there is not.

> such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible,

 

There is *nothing* else that is compatible.

> or must I surrender to

> the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

>

> Please help me out!

 

RDRAM is so expensive that it is price-competitive to replace the entire

system with one that uses a less expensive memory type.

 

Sorry to not have better news.

 

HTH

-pk

 

>

> --

> a response is always welcome...

[Guest Terry R.]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

The date and time was 3/13/2008 1:41 PM, and on a whim, hidekelip

pounded out on the keyboard:

> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

> upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and found

> out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from

> around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of memory

> I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as

> with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,

> such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to

> the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

>

> Please help me out!

>

>

 

I don't know where you're looking, but I just ordered six modules for

three Dimension 8200 machines that use RDRAM. 512 Meg is about $75

w/shipping. 1 gig is about $160. Check Pricewatch.com. Just don't buy

the cheapest ones. Get a name brand.

 

Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new computer.

 

--

Terry R.

 

***Reply Note***

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Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

[Guest Daave]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

Terry R. wrote:

> The date and time was 3/13/2008 1:41 PM, and on a whim, hidekelip

> pounded out on the keyboard:

>

>> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want

>> to upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online

>> and found out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the

>> prices vary from around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of

>> course, on what size of memory I wish to buy. But I was expecting

>> it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as with other types of memory.

>> Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory, such as using SDRAM

>> or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender to the fact

>> that I need such expensive memory....?

>>

>> Please help me out!

>>

>>

>

> I don't know where you're looking, but I just ordered six modules for

> three Dimension 8200 machines that use RDRAM. 512 Meg is about $75

> w/shipping. 1 gig is about $160. Check Pricewatch.com. Just don't

> buy

> the cheapest ones. Get a name brand.

>

> Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new

> computer.

 

I agree.

 

To OP:

 

What kind of RAM do you currently have and how much? ECC or non-ECC (the

latter is not as expensive)? How much RAM do you want to have? How fast

is your processor (and FSB)?

[Guest PD43]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

"Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote:

>> Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new

>> computer.

>

>I agree.

 

I don't.

 

Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

[Guest David H. Lipman]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

From: "PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net>

 

 

|

| I don't.

|

| Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

 

The Dell Precision Workstation 340 is a DOG.

I agree!

 

--

Dave

http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html

Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

[Guest Terry R.]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

The date and time was 3/13/2008 3:44 PM, and on a whim, PD43 pounded out

on the keyboard:

> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote:

>

>>> Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new

>>> computer.

>> I agree.

>

> I don't.

>

> Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

 

Well, maybe you have a big wallet and it doesn't matter. We try to keep

workstations running and a 2.5 Mhz machine isn't outdated by a long

shot. They will run XP fine, and as long as they can do that, it's useful.

 

--

Terry R.

 

***Reply Note***

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[Guest Terry R.]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

The date and time was 3/13/2008 3:47 PM, and on a whim, David H. Lipman

pounded out on the keyboard:

> From: "PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net>

>

>

> |

> | I don't.

> |

> | Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

>

> The Dell Precision Workstation 340 is a DOG.

> I agree!

>

 

Funny. A quick search on it found it was given an Editors Choice by PC

Magazine when it was rated against all other comparable midrange

workstations.

 

And spending $80 for 512 Meg of RAM ($160 for 1 gig) is quite a bit

different than purchasing a new computer with a pig of an OS on it.

 

--

Terry R.

 

***Reply Note***

Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.

Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

[Guest hidekelip]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

 

--

as response is always welcome...

 

 

"Terry R." wrote:

> The date and time was 3/13/2008 3:44 PM, and on a whim, PD43 pounded out

> on the keyboard:

>

> > "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote:

> >

> >>> Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new

> >>> computer.

> >> I agree.

> >

> > I don't.

> >

> > Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

>

> Well, maybe you have a big wallet and it doesn't matter. We try to keep

> workstations running and a 2.5 Mhz machine isn't outdated by a long

> shot. They will run XP fine, and as long as they can do that, it's useful.

.....yes they are....

 

 

I have a believe 256mb ram right now... I've never had a problem with that

pc, weather it being a motherboard problem, or OS issues, etc.... only once

did i do a clean reinstall of XP Pro, but because i wanted to just start off

the system fresh....not because of a hardware issue.......i've done quite a

nice job keeping it running for about i dunno 6 or 7 years now.... and it

still doesnt freeze on me or jack up for no reasons..... all it has is little

ram and a tiny hard drive... (2 tiny HDD's actually.... 20gbs each...)....

but yeah, its a good machine, that i really cant complain...... but thank you

all for your input....much appreciated...!!

[Guest Bob I]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

it uses ECC in matched pairs

 

512 at Crucial is 262 bucks

 

Terry R. wrote:

> The date and time was 3/13/2008 1:41 PM, and on a whim, hidekelip

> pounded out on the keyboard:

>

>> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

>> upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and

>> found out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices

>> vary from around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on

>> what size of memory I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be

>> around, I dont know, 50-$70 as with other types of memory. Is there

>> any other way I can upgrade my memory, such as using SDRAM or someting

>> else thats compatible, or must I surrender to the fact that I need

>> such expensive memory....?

>>

>> Please help me out!

>>

>>

>

> I don't know where you're looking, but I just ordered six modules for

> three Dimension 8200 machines that use RDRAM. 512 Meg is about $75

> w/shipping. 1 gig is about $160. Check Pricewatch.com. Just don't buy

> the cheapest ones. Get a name brand.

>

> Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new computer.

>

[Guest Anna]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

 

"hidekelip" <hidekelip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:57823CD6-53DC-40A2-A2E5-7C468E5505D7@microsoft.com...

> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want to

> upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched online and

> found

> out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is that the prices vary from

> around $200 up to aaround $500, depending, of course, on what size of

> memory

> I wish to buy. But I was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70

> as

> with other types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my

> memory,

> such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I surrender

> to

> the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

>

> Please help me out!

 

 

"hidekelip" <hidekelip@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:3AB6D744-7A2D-448C-98BC-CA7F9A1871A3@microsoft.com...

> I have a believe 256mb ram right now... I've never had a problem with

> that

> pc, weather it being a motherboard problem, or OS issues, etc.... only

> once

> did i do a clean reinstall of XP Pro, but because i wanted to just start

> off

> the system fresh....not because of a hardware issue.......i've done quite

> a

> nice job keeping it running for about i dunno 6 or 7 years now.... and it

> still doesnt freeze on me or jack up for no reasons..... all it has is

> little

> ram and a tiny hard drive... (2 tiny HDD's actually.... 20gbs

> each...)....

> but yeah, its a good machine, that i really cant complain...... but thank

> you

> all for your input....much appreciated...!!

 

 

hidekelip:

Just as an aside (and not that it will help you very much!) I share your

anguish. During that relatively brief period of time some years ago when

RDRAM (RAMBUS) memory was available and at least to some extent competitive

with other then-existing types of RAM, a number of shops I was associated

with installed that type of RAM in hundreds of machines.

 

In my experience, a more solid & stable RAM than RDRAM couldn't be found -

even to this day. I know it sounds incredible but I can't recall a single

instance of defective RDRAM even in machines to this day that have had hard

use. Like that battery - it goes on & on & on... So I'm not surprised in the

least to hear of your experience with it over the years.

 

It's a pity that marketing conditions - licensing, pricing, and other

factors caused its eventual demise and virtual disappearance from the market

and thus curtailing its further development.

 

I noticed in one of his responses Terry indicated he or she was able to

obtain add'l RDRAM at some reasonable price. Perhaps he/she can furnish you

with the source.

Anna

[Guest Daave]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

Bob I wrote:

> Terry R. wrote:

>

>> The date and time was 3/13/2008 1:41 PM, and on a whim, hidekelip

>> pounded out on the keyboard:

>>

>>> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want

>>> to upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched

>>> online and found out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is

>>> that the prices vary from around $200 up to aaround $500,

>>> depending, of course, on what size of memory I wish to buy. But I

>>> was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as with other

>>> types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,

>>> such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I

>>> surrender to the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

>>>

>>> Please help me out!

>>>

>>>

>>

>> I don't know where you're looking, but I just ordered six modules for

>> three Dimension 8200 machines that use RDRAM. 512 Meg is about $75

>> w/shipping. 1 gig is about $160. Check Pricewatch.com. Just don't

>> buy the cheapest ones. Get a name brand.

>>

>> Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new

>> computer.

> it uses ECC in matched pairs

>

> 512 at Crucial is 262 bucks

 

True. However, OP already has a matching pair of 256MB, and there's a

good chance he only needs one more matching pair of 256MB. Assuming it

really *is* ECC (he never specified) and the FSB is 400MHz (again, he

never specified), Memory Ten has it for $59.96.

[Guest Daave]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

hidekelip wrote:

> I have a believe 256mb ram right now... I've never had a problem

> with that pc, weather it being a motherboard problem, or OS issues,

> etc.... only once did i do a clean reinstall of XP Pro, but because

> i wanted to just start off the system fresh....not because of a

> hardware issue.......i've done quite a nice job keeping it running

> for about i dunno 6 or 7 years now.... and it still doesnt freeze on

> me or jack up for no reasons..... all it has is little ram and a tiny

> hard drive... (2 tiny HDD's actually.... 20gbs each...).... but

> yeah, its a good machine, that i really cant complain...... but thank

> you all for your input....much appreciated...!!

 

ECC or non-ECC?

 

400MHz or 533MHz FSB?

 

How much do you want to buy? (How much more do you think you *need*?)

 

See:

 

http://www.memoryx.net/preworkstatn.html

[Guest HeyBub]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

Terry R. wrote:

> The date and time was 3/13/2008 3:47 PM, and on a whim, David H.

> Lipman pounded out on the keyboard:

>

>> From: "PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net>

>>

>>

>>>

>>> I don't.

>>>

>>> Why put money into a system that is obviously outdated?

>>

>> The Dell Precision Workstation 340 is a DOG.

>> I agree!

>>

>

> Funny. A quick search on it found it was given an Editors Choice by PC

> Magazine when it was rated against all other comparable midrange

> workstations.

>

> And spending $80 for 512 Meg of RAM ($160 for 1 gig) is quite a bit

> different than purchasing a new computer with a pig of an OS on it.

 

1.5GHz, 80GB, 512MB, CD-ROM, keyboard, mouse, ethernet, etc., $199.00

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8304655#Specifications

[Guest Terry R.]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

The date and time was 3/14/2008 6:09 AM, and on a whim, Bob I pounded

out on the keyboard:

> it uses ECC in matched pairs

>

> 512 at Crucial is 262 bucks

>

 

Too much.

 

It's cheaper at Dell, but not by much. I just ordered 6 modules (256

each) and each pair was $75. Samsung ECC.

 

--

Terry R.

 

***Reply Note***

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Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

[Guest Terry R.]

Re: RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

 

The date and time was 3/14/2008 7:09 AM, and on a whim, Daave pounded

out on the keyboard:

> Bob I wrote:

>

>> Terry R. wrote:

>>

>>> The date and time was 3/13/2008 1:41 PM, and on a whim, hidekelip

>>> pounded out on the keyboard:

>>>

>>>> Greetings. I have an old Dell Precision Workstation 340 and I want

>>>> to upgrade my memory. I am NOT a computer wiz, so I searched

>>>> online and found out that I need RDRAM memory, but the thing is

>>>> that the prices vary from around $200 up to aaround $500,

>>>> depending, of course, on what size of memory I wish to buy. But I

>>>> was expecting it to be around, I dont know, 50-$70 as with other

>>>> types of memory. Is there any other way I can upgrade my memory,

>>>> such as using SDRAM or someting else thats compatible, or must I

>>>> surrender to the fact that I need such expensive memory....?

>>>>

>>>> Please help me out!

>>>>

>>>>

>>> I don't know where you're looking, but I just ordered six modules for

>>> three Dimension 8200 machines that use RDRAM. 512 Meg is about $75

>>> w/shipping. 1 gig is about $160. Check Pricewatch.com. Just don't

>>> buy the cheapest ones. Get a name brand.

>>>

>>> Don't listen to the ones telling you it's cheaper to buy a new

>>> computer.

>

>> it uses ECC in matched pairs

>>

>> 512 at Crucial is 262 bucks

>

> True. However, OP already has a matching pair of 256MB, and there's a

> good chance he only needs one more matching pair of 256MB. Assuming it

> really *is* ECC (he never specified) and the FSB is 400MHz (again, he

> never specified), Memory Ten has it for $59.96.

>

>

 

The workstations I ordered for used 4 64 meg for 256. If his is the

same, worst case is he removes 128 and installs 512 for 640. Best case

is his 256 is using two slots and he has four.

 

--

Terry R.

 

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