Physical memory and available memory

[ggeoff]

I have to ask....what/who manufactures 4gb sticks of DDR-2 SDRAM (240 pin) desktop memory that runs at 533 or 667 mhz. I would really like to see this memory, can you provide a link because the best I can do in DDR-2 is 2gb per stick which, with 8 slots, would give you a max of 16gb with DDR-2 memory. All 4 gb sticks that I can find for desktops are DDR-3 which is not compatible with your system according to your spec's.

Specs: Documentation

Hi bobtran

I bought it on eBay item number: 380268024376 the Dell 490 Workstation specification says the system will take 32 GB - eight sticks of 4 GB

 

[bigmck]

Hi bobtran

I bought it on eBay item number: 380268024376 the Dell 490 Workstation specification says the system will take 32 GB - eight sticks of 4 GB

I would never buy memory on Ebay. Buying anything on there is a chance. Memory is something best left to a reliable local store.

 

[ggeoff]

Hi bobtran

I bought it on eBay item number: 380268024376 the Dell 490 Workstation specification says the system will take 32 GB - eight sticks of 4 GB

I would never buy memory on Ebay. Buying anything on there is a chance. Memory is something best left to a reliable local store.

Well you are certainly missing out. I bought the memory from a dealer and there will be no problem returning it. I have bought computers before on eBay and they all contained memory. No problems so far, apart from this one and I have been a member of eBay for over seven years.

In my experience the simplest way to buy memory is use one of the manufacturers websites. I usually use Crucial which has a detection tool which detects what I have and makes the sale simple and fast. The trouble with DDR2 ECC FB memory is that it is expensive, over 230 GBP for eight GBs so provided the memory works I am quite happy to buy second hand.

 

[Keiichi25]

I think the point is that while ebay can be a steal to get things, it can also be a ripoff that fly by night type con artists can abuse at times.

At the moment, a few of us are under the belief the seller either:

a) doesn't really know what he was selling to you...
b) mis-represented what he sold you.

On that memory, there should be a sticker with a number... If you can post that, we can do a google search on it and see what it may be for.

 

[bobtran]

Hi bobtran

I bought it on eBay item number: 380268024376 the Dell 490 Workstation specification says the system will take 32 GB - eight sticks of 4 GB

I would never buy memory on Ebay. Buying anything on there is a chance. Memory is something best left to a reliable local store.

Well you are certainly missing out. I bought the memory from a dealer and there will be no problem returning it. I have bought computers before on eBay and they all contained memory. No problems so far, apart from this one and I have been a member of eBay for over seven years.

In my experience the simplest way to buy memory is use one of the manufacturers websites. I usually use Crucial which has a detection tool which detects what I have and makes the sale simple and fast. The trouble with DDR2 ECC FB memory is that it is expensive, over 230 GBP for eight GBs so provided the memory works I am quite happy to buy second hand.

While purchasing memory from ebay can save you money the statement "let the buyer beware" certainly applies.....it is up the the buyer to do ALL the research related to the item being purchased.

What you bought is server memory, not desktop memory and I agree that the specs posted meet your needs, but, I doubt that this posted specs are correct (see the memory I did find on tiger direct at the bottom of my post).

I also have purchased memory/drives/computers from ebay and have had mostly good experiences provided I stay with highly rated resellers but I also did the research on what I was buying and did not take the resellers word for compatibility. Computers that are sold on ebay have compatible parts because they are a complete units and not bare bones kits.

As to parts the reseller may be mistaken about the item's compatibility or taking someone else's word for it, or as pointed out, may be deliberately mis-representing it to get rid of a unsellable turkey. Remember that most resellers are not computer/hardware tech's...they are simply saleman selling a product, no different from a used car salesman except you can't physically handle the product so it is bought "sight unseen".

As I stated before a little research will show you that dual channel (DIMM) DDR-2 is limited to 2 gb sticks and that you would have to go up to DDR-3 to find 4gb sticks for a desktop (ddr2 @ 4gb is available for a laptop).

I have found just one(1) item that approaches (but does not meet) your specs @ $214.99 per stick but it is not dual channel memory (DIMM per your specs), does NOT have full length heat spreaders, and is NOT fully buffered: Crucial 4GB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz Desktop Memory Upgrade at TigerDirect.com

 

[Phone Man]

I searched the item number and here is the E-Bay info.

4GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 Fully Buffered ECC FB DIMM Memory on eBay (end time 01-Oct-10 17:02:08 BST)

I noticed this is ECC memory. Is your other memory also ECC??


Jim

 

[ggeoff]

I think the point is that while ebay can be a steal to get things, it can also be a ripoff that fly by night type con artists can abuse at times.

At the moment, a few of us are under the belief the seller either:

a) doesn't really know what he was selling to you...
b) mis-represented what he sold you.

On that memory, there should be a sticker with a number... If you can post that, we can do a google search on it and see what it may be for.

Thanks Keiichi25

Yes, I can see why people might jump to those conclusions. In this case, the seller is a specialist dealer with a feedback rating of 3,768 and remarkably, a Feedback score of 100 per cent; no complaints! I also, asked whether the memory would work in the Dell 490 and was reassured it would. he suggested I Google my problem but would be quite happy to replace or refund my purchase.

The item link that I posted earlier should enable the product to be viewed. The description of the product does not tally with the picture - which does tally with the product label on the two sticks of memory I bought which is described as:
4GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 Fully Buffered ECC FB DIMM Memory

 

[ggeoff]

I searched the item number and here is the E-Bay info.

4GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 Fully Buffered ECC FB DIMM Memory on eBay (end time 01-Oct-10 17:02:08 BST)

I noticed this is ECC memory. Is your other memory also ECC??


Jim

Yes of course that is what a Dell precision workststation 490 requires.

 

[ggeoff]

I would never buy memory on Ebay. Buying anything on there is a chance. Memory is something best left to a reliable local store.

Well you are certainly missing out. I bought the memory from a dealer and there will be no problem returning it. I have bought computers before on eBay and they all contained memory. No problems so far, apart from this one and I have been a member of eBay for over seven years.

In my experience the simplest way to buy memory is use one of the manufacturers websites. I usually use Crucial which has a detection tool which detects what I have and makes the sale simple and fast. The trouble with DDR2 ECC FB memory is that it is expensive, over 230 GBP for eight GBs so provided the memory works I am quite happy to buy second hand.

While purchasing memory from ebay can save you money the statement "let the buyer beware" certainly applies.....it is up the the buyer to do ALL the research related to the item being purchased.

What you bought is server memory, not desktop memory and I agree that the specs posted meet your needs, but, I doubt that this posted specs are correct (see the memory I did find on tiger direct at the bottom of my post).

I also have purchased memory/drives/computers from ebay and have had mostly good experiences provided I stay with highly rated resellers but I also did the research on what I was buying and did not take the resellers word for compatibility. Computers that are sold on ebay have compatible parts because they are a complete units and not bare bones kits.

As to parts the reseller may be mistaken about the item's compatibility or taking someone else's word for it, or as pointed out, may be deliberately mis-representing it to get rid of a unsellable turkey. Remember that most resellers are not computer/hardware tech's...they are simply saleman selling a product, no different from a used car salesman except you can't physically handle the product so it is bought "sight unseen".

As I stated before a little research will show you that dual channel (DIMM) DDR-2 is limited to 2 gb sticks and that you would have to go up to DDR-3 to find 4gb sticks for a desktop (ddr2 @ 4gb is available for a laptop).

I have found just one(1) item that approaches (but does not meet) your specs @ $214.99 per stick but it is not dual channel memory (DIMM per your specs), does NOT have full length heat spreaders, and is NOT fully buffered: Crucial 4GB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz Desktop Memory Upgrade at TigerDirect.com

According to the manufacturer of my computer it takes DDR2 memory in 4 GB sticks or is Dell wrong?

Accessing Kingston's website and reading their Ultimate Guide to Memory not updated since 2004 I have little confidence in the manufacturers. DDR3 does not exist according to Kingston, possibly my existing KIngston RAM is damaging my computers ability to detect the installed memory.

 

[ggeoff]

PassMark RAMMon - Identify RAM type, speed & memory timings

On right of page choose whether you are using 32bit or 64bit OS.

The above link will get you FREE software that should recognize what RAM is installed.
Good utility to have on hand for future reference.

It might help you sort things out.
Good luck.
Mike

Thanks Mike I am using a 128 bit operating system.

 

[bobtran]

PassMark RAMMon - Identify RAM type, speed & memory timings

On right of page choose whether you are using 32bit or 64bit OS.

The above link will get you FREE software that should recognize what RAM is installed.
Good utility to have on hand for future reference.

It might help you sort things out.
Good luck.
Mike

Thanks Mike I am using a 128 bit operating system.

No, I don't think so. Currently your only choices are x86(32-bit) or x64(64-bit).

 

[Phone Man]

According to Dell they have 4GB DDR-2 for the OP's system. The specs of the new ram looks correct but is either defective or not compatible for some reason.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=A2257232


Jim

 

[ggeoff]

PassMark RAMMon - Identify RAM type, speed & memory timings

On right of page choose whether you are using 32bit or 64bit OS.

The above link will get you FREE software that should recognize what RAM is installed.
Good utility to have on hand for future reference.

It might help you sort things out.
Good luck.
Mike

Thanks Mike I am using a 128 bit operating system.

No, I don't think so. Currently your only choices are x86(32-bit) or x64(64-bit).

Sorry Bobtran but the questionioner has not read the thread. I have provided extensive information which I would hope that anyone using this forum would read. Or am I missing something?

 

[bobtran]

According to the manufacturer of my computer it takes DDR2 memory in 4 GB sticks or is Dell wrong?

Accessing Kingston's website and reading their Ultimate Guide to Memory not updated since 2004 I have little confidence in the manufacturers. DDR3 does not exist according to Kingston, possibly my existing KIngston RAM is damaging my computers ability to detect the installed memory.

Fine.....you have the correct memory and a 128 bit os..cool.

 

[ggeoff]

According to the manufacturer of my computer it takes DDR2 memory in 4 GB sticks or is Dell wrong?

Accessing Kingston's website and reading their Ultimate Guide to Memory not updated since 2004 I have little confidence in the manufacturers. DDR3 does not exist according to Kingston, possibly my existing KIngston RAM is damaging my computers ability to detect the installed memory.

Remember that when dell wrote the specs for this computer that DDR-3 memory was not available and DDR-2 was state of the art. Dell expected Memory manufacturers to produce desktop memory in 4gb amounts...instead manufacturers went to DDR-3. If you take a little time to check out specs on current computers you will find numerous references to 16gb max memory with 2 slots requiring 8gb sticks which are not currently available. Thus the manufacturer is anticipating a technological item that may or may not become a reality.

But the memory I have is 4GB DDR2 or is it?

 

[ggeoff]

According to the manufacturer of my computer it takes DDR2 memory in 4 GB sticks or is Dell wrong?

Accessing Kingston's website and reading their Ultimate Guide to Memory not updated since 2004 I have little confidence in the manufacturers. DDR3 does not exist according to Kingston, possibly my existing KIngston RAM is damaging my computers ability to detect the installed memory.

Remember that when dell wrote the specs for this computer that DDR-3 memory was not available and DDR-2 was state of the art. Dell expected Memory manufacturers to produce desktop memory in 4gb amounts...instead manufacturers went to DDR-3. If you take a little time to check out specs on current computers you will find numerous references to 16gb max memory with 2 slots requiring 8gb sticks which are not currently available. Thus the manufacturer is anticipating a technological item that may or may not become a reality.

But the memory I have is 4GB DDR2 or is it?

There has been no response on the Dell forum so far to my query. I wonder what I'l get ?

 

[ggeoff]

According to Dell they have 4GB DDR-2 for the OP's system. The specs of the new ram looks correct but is either defective or not compatible for some reason.

DELL 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) Dell Certified Replacement Memory Module Kit for Dell Precision WorkStation 490 : Computer Components | Dell


Jim

Hi since Dell have not responded via their forum so far who knows. I still have not got back to my supplier, but does anyone really think he is wrong? Perhaps what I was supplied is incorrect, now that is possible. Anyway, he hasn't a lot of this memory to sell and according to a local TV engineer this memory etc or rather all chips are virtually immortal! Hardware? One heatsink fan failure, due to a broken clip, on a Dell cost less than 2 GBP over almost 25 years of PC ownership and replacing a backlight on a laptop. My AMSTRAD 386 was taken to the recycling centre just because it was outdated - I needed a CD drive, there was no other reason. I bet my stored 128 k Sinclair Spectrum will work once plugged in! I think nearly all problems are 99.99 per cent software based. I have had no memory failure at all with all the PCs I have bought which amounts about 20 Dell products. My oldest Dell is 2001 and I did add to its memory and replaced the hard drives as a precautionary measure. Incidentally, I bought the replacement spares using eBay.

I suppose that the other manufacturers can submit similar reports, and why not, but then they want to sell new computers so they won't promote the life of their machines, especially as the user might damage them. I might be doing high def video editing so maybe the Dell 490 will not be up to that. Anyway my trusty 2001 Dell Dimension 8200 will continue to serve email and just about everything else leaving the 490 for the heavier stuff.

 

[bigmck]

Hi

My first post.I have added new memory, or rather second hand memory, to my Dell Precision 490, Windows Pro 7 64 bit system. (I bought an upgrade from XP Pro 32 bit) I have also upgraded the BIOS.

The above is from your first post. Now you say you have a 128-bit OS. There is no desktop 128-bit.

 

[Keiichi25]

Guys, we can beat him with a stick later about the whole 128 bit thing later...

Geoff:

It LOOKS like it is the correct memory, but I am still on the ropes on that one. It either isn't the full spec one, or it is defective. At this time, can't help you much further without something similar to test.

 

[ggeoff]

Thanks Keiichi25

I have returned the memory after contacting the seller. He found that one of the sticks was defective and he has sent me replacements. The 490 now shows all installed memory.

It is a surprise that if a PC has a defective stick the info that is given about the memory is so odd. I would have thought a more easily interpretated message would be displayed.

Thanks for all the help from you guys