Silver2Falcon Posted December 25, 2005 Share Posted December 25, 2005 I recently bought a set of 2 x 512mb sticks of corsair valueselect memory (VS512MB400C3). I have a Dell Dimension 4600 desktop with a 2.4ghz processor, and the FSB is 533mhz. It already has 512mb (2 x 256mb) of ram in it, from when I bought it. According to my user manual (and the Dell website), either PC2700 or PC3200 RAM should work, and the corsair memory I bought is PC3200. I have arranged the memory in every possible combination (including taking the old memory out, and using just 1 stick of the new memory) and when I try to start my computer, the monitor remains black, and I hear a series of 5-10 beeps, and then nothing else happens. Is there a solution to this? I would really like to get the memory in my computer and working ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted December 27, 2005 Author Share Posted December 27, 2005 According to both the Dell beep code, and the lights on the back of the case, I seem to have a memory compatibility issue. I have 3 questions now: IS there a way to make it work? If not, is it possible to exchange it (and pay the difference if it costs more) for a part that does work? Finally, what I'd like to know, is WHY it doesn't work (if it can't be made to) and what's the difference between the Dell Ram:http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?TabPage=techspecs&sku=A0118502&spagenum=&iCompatid=160065&pageb4search=&page=memconfigproductlisting.aspx&c=us&l=en&cs=19&mnfname=&brand=&ModelSelection= and the RAM I bought (the 2 sticks of VS512MB400C3). I was told by Dell that any RAM with similar specs should work, and the VS512MB400C3 has the same specs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted December 27, 2005 Author Share Posted December 27, 2005 Well, I just found a post on the Dell forums saying that someone with a 4600 got the exact same RAM and it worked...is it possible I just have 2 bad sticks? Neither of them work, even completely alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilas Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Hi Silver2Falcon, My laptop is beeping and not booting up also. I think my problem is a compatibility problem. I have a Sager 8890 laptop and I have been doing some investigation and I am getting a whole lot of info that seems to all be different. Wrote on several forums but no responses. Did you make sure the ram was seated properly? I wish you luck! Bilas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Silver2Falcon, It is a compatibility issue - or more specifically, you have run into the limitations of Intel's DDR (as opposed to DDR2) chipsets. You've exceeded the maximum differential allowed between the memory's actual clockspeed (200MHz) and the actual FSB clockspeed of your processor (133MHz). The 67MHz actual clockspeed differential is beyond Intel's official specs of their DDR chipsets. In fact, Intel dictates that you can use only PC2100 or PC2700 memory with your 533FSB processor. Two more strikes against your using the VS512MB400C3 modules in an OEM system with a 533FSB is the fact that Dell offers absolutely no provision at all whatsoever to manually set the speed of the memory, and the fact that your VS512MB400C3 modules have SPD's that are programmed only for PC3200 operation. All that results in your system trying to boot with that out-of spec differential between your actual memory clockspeed and your processor's actual FSB clockspeed - that is, your PC3200 memory will always run at 200MHz, while your processor's FSB will always run at 133MHz, which will result in a memory error on POST. The OEM Dell memory, despite being PC3200, does work on your rig with the 533FSB processor - if only because its SPD is programmed for both PC3200 and PC2700 operation. In addition, you're mixing memory modules of different brands, different IC's and different SPD's. The Value Select line should NOT be mixed with any OEM memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted December 29, 2005 Author Share Posted December 29, 2005 Thanks for that :) Now I'm even more confused though :confused:. Someone on the dell forum with the EXACT same memory said they got it to work. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted December 30, 2005 Author Share Posted December 30, 2005 So, if I got PC2700 RAM, it should work? (like the VS512MB333C3)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 So, if I got PC2700 RAM, it should work? (like the VS512MB333C3)? Actually, there is no VS512MB333C3. There is only one 512MB PC2700 Value Select - the VS512MB333 (which is rated at 2.5-3-3-7, IIRC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted December 30, 2005 Author Share Posted December 30, 2005 ok....would that work in my computer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted December 31, 2005 Author Share Posted December 31, 2005 So, would the VS512MB333 work in my computer? If not, with the system select memory, will I have to go with the PC2700, or can I get the PC3200, in case I upgrade later? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 VS may work in it, but you'll definitely have to remove the Dell memory. System Select (PC2700) will work with the Dell memory fine. As for whether or not the PC3200 System Select will work with the FSB 533 Dell setup, that depends on how Corsair set up the SPD chip of the memory. Ram Guy'll have to answer that on Monday / Tuesday (dunno if they have Monday off or not). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted December 31, 2005 Author Share Posted December 31, 2005 Thanks for that. You would THINK dell would at least go to a LITTLE effort to attempt to warn people that lots of RAM (even stuff they say is compatible) won't work on their systems :roll:. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 I see you have listed your bios version. Do you have the most recent bios from Dell loaded? If not, that may be the difference with your setup and the guy at the Dell forums that got his to run. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted January 1, 2006 Author Share Posted January 1, 2006 Yep, the Bios are the latest version (upgraded right before I got the RAM) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Lemme guess, Dell Sales told you it'd run ok, right? I used to do Dell Tech and Sales, and I can tell you that Dells are picky as hell when it comes to memory, and they only guarantee Dell memory to work fine in their systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted January 2, 2006 Author Share Posted January 2, 2006 Lemme guess, Dell Sales told you it'd run ok, right? I used to do Dell Tech and Sales, and I can tell you that Dells are picky as hell when it comes to memory, and they only guarantee Dell memory to work fine in their systems. So I've discovered. Gonna be returning the stuff I got tomorrow, and then getting the system select, hopefully it'll work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver2Falcon Posted January 16, 2006 Author Share Posted January 16, 2006 Well, I decided to try the valueselect PC2700, as the system select was not sold in dual channel kits, and I want my memory to run dual-channel. I recieved the new RAM, installed it (alone) and was instantly rewarded with results. However, a day later, when I tried booting up my computer, it would not turn on at all (even with the old ram, and yes, I tried 1 stick in every slot). After having a (very long) chat with a dell tech support representative, I was told that the motherboard was dead. Understandably, I think, I'm quite annoyed (especially since I have already gone through the hassle of figuring out why the PC3200 wouldn't work). While I have not verified this with anyone "official" (I have several friends who agree with me on this) I think that it is the memory controller on the Mobo that is bad, as it still sounds like it's starting up with no memory in it, at least. My questions: -Would the RAM being bad cause these problems? -Is there anything I can do to prevent something like this happening again? -Would a Mobo that is made for PC3200 RAM run the PC2700 (as I now have the 2700 instead of the 3200, and I REALLY don't want to have to spend another $20+ going through the hassle of returning it to get the PC3200 if I get a mobo (and new processor) that would support it. I have been thinking about possibly getting an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ or 3500+, and a SLI-capable Mobo, and money is tight) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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