RDRAM MEMORY PROBLEM

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hidekelip

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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...
 
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
 
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!
>
>
 
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...
 
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.
 
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.
 
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...
 
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***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
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)?
 
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?
 
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***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
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.
 
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...!!
 
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.
>
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
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