[SOLVED] Ram speed questionable

suddeth · 02-15-2008, 12:54 PM

Hello,

I have a DELL DIMENSION 2400 circa 2005 running XP home edition. It had a paltry 256MG of RAM, so I added a 1GB stick to the other slot. The computer accepted it, but the statistics from CPU_Z look funny. Both of the installed sticks are PC3200 (400MHz ?), so I expected the speed to be something a bit less than that, but the CPU_Z lists the following:

DRAM frequency: 132.9 MHz
FSB DRAM: 3:4
CAS# Latency (CL): 2.5 clocks
RAS and CAS# Delay 2 clocks
RAS# Precharge 2 clocks
Cycle Time 6 clocks
DRAM idle timer 16 clocks

This computer doesn't support Dual-channel. Do you think this looks reasonable or is the something I can do that will up the RAM? The original stick is 256 and the upgrade is a Gig. Any suggestions or questions?

Thanks
GVMBEAR

HawMan · 02-15-2008, 02:01 PM

The 256mb stick with be DDR 266 (shown as 133mhz), Remove it and the 1GB will run at DDR 400 (200mhz)

suddeth · 02-16-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawMan

The 256mb stick with be DDR 266 (shown as 133mhz), Remove it and the 1GB will run at DDR 400 (200mhz)

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm still struggling to understand all this RAM stuff.

I removed the 256 strip, but I still get the slower speed with the 1GIG strip. I guess I'd like to know exactly what determines the RAM speed. Are there ways to tweak it via some system setting?

I noticed that on the SPD tab of CP-Z program, it displayed "PC3200 (200MHz)" for the max bandwidth of both strips. With the 256 removed, this spec is still the same for the 1G strip/slot. I would assume it being in slot 2 with slot 1 empty shouldn't make a difference. Both sticks have a label that says "DDR-400MHz CL3". I know that having 2strips of different speeds will result in it using the slowest speed. So, with both of mine listed as 400MHz, I would have expected a higher speed than I get.

Could this be a hardware limitation of the DELL Dimension 2400? If I could manually tweak this speed, I'd like to know how. I will investigate this, but would welcome any additional suggestions.

Thanks again,
Gary

HawMan · 02-16-2008, 05:56 PM

After looking on google it seems your m/b only supports 333mhz. What speed do you see in cpuz now that you have removed the 256mb stick?

It should be 166

suddeth · 02-17-2008, 08:16 AM

Hello,

With the 256 removed, it remains at 132.9 MHz. Where did you find that 333 max for my MB? Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

**speedster123** · 02-18-2008, 07:03 AM

run everest and post your report.
what cpu is installed?
333 is most likely your limit with this board and processor.

suddeth · 02-20-2008, 07:48 AM

I think my newbeness with RAM stuff is more of an issue than my speed suspicions. Talked to a local GeekSquad fellow and I think my PC is doing as well as it can. The main thing is that the addtional 1GB strip caused a huge performance improvment.

I think I'll let this go for now.

Thanks for the help/learning-experience,
Gary

02-15-2008, 12:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
suddeth Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 9 OS: XP Professional SP2	[SOLVED] Ram speed questionable Hello, I have a DELL DIMENSION 2400 circa 2005 running XP home edition. It had a paltry 256MG of RAM, so I added a 1GB stick to the other slot. The computer accepted it, but the statistics from CPU_Z look funny. Both of the installed sticks are PC3200 (400MHz ?), so I expected the speed to be something a bit less than that, but the CPU_Z lists the following: DRAM frequency: 132.9 MHz FSB DRAM: 3:4 CAS# Latency (CL): 2.5 clocks RAS and CAS# Delay 2 clocks RAS# Precharge 2 clocks Cycle Time 6 clocks DRAM idle timer 16 clocks This computer doesn't support Dual-channel. Do you think this looks reasonable or is the something I can do that will up the RAM? The original stick is 256 and the upgrade is a Gig. Any suggestions or questions? Thanks GVMBEAR

02-15-2008, 02:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,943 OS: Win XP My System	Re: Ram speed questionable The 256mb stick with be DDR 266 (shown as 133mhz), Remove it and the 1GB will run at DDR 400 (200mhz) __________________ Please Consider Donating to keep the site free.

02-16-2008, 05:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,943 OS: Win XP My System	Re: Ram speed questionable After looking on google it seems your m/b only supports 333mhz. What speed do you see in cpuz now that you have removed the 256mb stick? It should be 166 __________________ Please Consider Donating to keep the site free.

02-17-2008, 08:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
suddeth Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 9 OS: XP Professional SP2	Re: Ram speed questionable Hello, With the 256 removed, it remains at 132.9 MHz. Where did you find that 333 max for my MB? Any other thoughts? Thanks!

02-18-2008, 07:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,228 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: Ram speed questionable run everest and post your report. what cpu is installed? 333 is most likely your limit with this board and processor. __________________

02-20-2008, 07:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
suddeth Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 9 OS: XP Professional SP2	Re: Ram speed questionable I think my newbeness with RAM stuff is more of an issue than my speed suspicions. Talked to a local GeekSquad fellow and I think my PC is doing as well as it can. The main thing is that the addtional 1GB strip caused a huge performance improvment. I think I'll let this go for now. Thanks for the help/learning-experience, Gary