Computer Hardware Forum

Hi,

I bought my Dell Dimension 8300 about 1.5 years back. It has a P4HT CPU
that runs witch 3 GHz, 512MB of memory installed (running at 400 MHz as
the BIOS states, 2x256 MB Banks).

I bought two more membanks, 256 MB each, and now the BIOS states that
the memory speed has dropped to 333MHz.

Types of RAM: 184-pin DDR RAM: PC3200 CL=2.5

Original RAMS: PC3200U CL=3

As Dell tells in the handbook: "new RAMs may not suit the older ones so
that the system may not run at optimal possible speed."

Is that a built-in flaw so that I have to upgrade using original Dell RAM?



What can I do? Might the RAM be faked?

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Built-in flaw?  That's a new one! Mixing RAM scan result in unpredictable
results.

Trying ordering the corect spec ram from Crucial.com.


"Martina Bender" <KbA@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:dlsda9$86l$1@online.de...
> Hi,
>
> I bought my Dell Dimension 8300 about 1.5 years back. It has a P4HT CPU
> that runs witch 3 GHz, 512MB of memory installed (running at 400 MHz as
> the BIOS states, 2x256 MB Banks).
>
> I bought two more membanks, 256 MB each, and now the BIOS states that the
> memory speed has dropped to 333MHz.
>
> Types of RAM: 184-pin DDR RAM: PC3200 CL=2.5
>
> Original RAMS: PC3200U CL=3
>
> As Dell tells in the handbook: "new RAMs may not suit the older ones so
> that the system may not run at optimal possible speed."
>
> Is that a built-in flaw so that I have to upgrade using original Dell RAM?
>
>
>
> What can I do? Might the RAM be faked?

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Well, you mixed speeds.  They need to be matching CL as well.

Tom
"Martina Bender" <KbA@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:dlsda9$86l$1@online.de...
> Hi,
>
> I bought my Dell Dimension 8300 about 1.5 years back. It has a P4HT CPU
> that runs witch 3 GHz, 512MB of memory installed (running at 400 MHz as
> the BIOS states, 2x256 MB Banks).
>
> I bought two more membanks, 256 MB each, and now the BIOS states that the
> memory speed has dropped to 333MHz.
>
> Types of RAM: 184-pin DDR RAM: PC3200 CL=2.5
>
> Original RAMS: PC3200U CL=3
>
> As Dell tells in the handbook: "new RAMs may not suit the older ones so
> that the system may not run at optimal possible speed."
>
> Is that a built-in flaw so that I have to upgrade using original Dell RAM?
>
>
>
> What can I do? Might the RAM be faked?

Report this post to a moderator

[  Post Follow-up to this message ]

"Martina Bender" <KbA@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:dlsda9$86l$1@online.de...
> Hi,
>
> I bought my Dell Dimension 8300 about 1.5 years back. It has a P4HT CPU
> that runs witch 3 GHz, 512MB of memory installed (running at 400 MHz as
> the BIOS states, 2x256 MB Banks).
>
> I bought two more membanks, 256 MB each, and now the BIOS states that the
> memory speed has dropped to 333MHz.
>
> Types of RAM: 184-pin DDR RAM: PC3200 CL=2.5
>
> Original RAMS: PC3200U CL=3
>
> As Dell tells in the handbook: "new RAMs may not suit the older ones so
> that the system may not run at optimal possible speed."
>
> Is that a built-in flaw so that I have to upgrade using original Dell RAM?
>
>
>
> What can I do? Might the RAM be faked?


I don't think the CL (cas latency) difference is the problem.  In fact I'd
bet money that it is not. Shouldn't affect the bus speed at all.  I think
the new memory is mis-labeled or faulty PC2700/333mhz DDR - pick your
intentions of the seller/source.

Even if one of the new DIMMS is running at PC2700, it will cause the system
RAM to clock back to 333mhz speed in it's entireity.

Easy enough to figure out: Pull the original pair of DIMMs and set them
aside together.  Try each one of the new DIMMs individually (in
single-channel mode) and view the speed in BIOS. You'll find out if one or
both are running at 333mhz/PC2700 speeds.

hth

Stew

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>
> Even if one of the new DIMMS is running at PC2700, it will cause the syste
m
> RAM to clock back to 333mhz speed in it's entireity.
>
> Easy enough to figure out: Pull the original pair of DIMMs and set them
> aside together.  Try each one of the new DIMMs individually (in
> single-channel mode) and view the speed in BIOS. You'll find out if one or
> both are running at 333mhz/PC2700 speeds.
>
Thanks for your hint!

I'll do that asap!

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Just as important, download and run MEMTEST-86, the best and free memory
diagnostic tool.  MEMTEST-86 will smoke out any incompatibilities between me
mory
and motherboard... Ben Myers

On Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:25:13 +0100, Martina Bender <KbA@btinternet.com> wrot
e:
 
>Thanks for your hint!
>
>I'll do that asap!

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>
> Easy enough to figure out: Pull the original pair of DIMMs and set them
> aside together.  Try each one of the new DIMMs individually (in
> single-channel mode) and view the speed in BIOS. You'll find out if one or
> both are running at 333mhz/PC2700 speeds.

I tested the new RAMs (without the old ones installed). The BIOS runs
memory at 400 MHz - CPU-Z, Dr.Hardware and Everest agreed with that.

I mixed the old RAMs and the new ones in various variations. Everytime
same results: with 4 installed banks the system only runs at 333 MHz.

Maybe the different CL (2.5 vs. 3) is the reason? Or does the BIOS run
at lower speed for safety reasons?

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"Martina Bender" <Kabe@B.com> wrote in message
news:dlt34o$dds$1@online.de... 
>
> I tested the new RAMs (without the old ones installed). The BIOS runs
> memory at 400 MHz - CPU-Z, Dr.Hardware and Everest agreed with that.
>
> I mixed the old RAMs and the new ones in various variations. Everytime
> same results: with 4 installed banks the system only runs at 333 MHz.
>
> Maybe the different CL (2.5 vs. 3) is the reason? Or does the BIOS run at
> lower speed for safety reasons?


If it is the CL, it would be the first time I've seen it personally.
Typically, CL will default to the slowest CL DIMM inserted as well, but does
not affect the bus speed of the RAM

What brands are the original --------and also brand of the new DIMMs?

It now sounds (imo) like incompatibility between the two brands of RAM -
somewhat unusual.

I'd either try to locate and match a pair identical to the original pair, or
I'd go to www.crucial.com and get another pair with a guarantee.

If that's possible of course.


Stew

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Hi,

I made a few test runs with the new RAMs and they seem to run at 400Mhz
when only 2 banks of the 4 possible banks are equipped with RAMs.

If 3 or 4 banks are equipped with RAM the system seems to slow down to
333 MHz intentionally?

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Martina Bender wrote: 
>
> I tested the new RAMs (without the old ones installed). The BIOS runs
> memory at 400 MHz - CPU-Z, Dr.Hardware and Everest agreed with that.
>
> I mixed the old RAMs and the new ones in various variations. Everytime
> same results: with 4 installed banks the system only runs at 333 MHz.
>
> Maybe the different CL (2.5 vs. 3) is the reason? Or does the BIOS run
> at lower speed for safety reasons?

I think you are right - the CL need to be the same - your original is
prob CL3 and the new ones need to be the same or you drop to 333. Not
sure but have seen this response a number of times.

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