I currently have 4x4GB DDR3 RDIMM memory, 1600MHz, ECC, so all slots are occupied. As I commonly get 98% physical memory usage, it slows down my spreadsheet work and I'm thinking of upgrading to 2x16GB DDR3 RDIMM memory, 1600MHz, ECC. This will leave 2 slots empty for any future use. Dell Thailand no longer does direct sales but operates through authorised dealers. I was given a quote of $750 for each 16GB chip. I think this is expensive and am considering sourcing them myself. 1) I understand doing the RAM upgrade will not invalidate the warranty (1.5 yrs left), but new RAM will of course not be covered. 2) Do I need to worry about stuff like number of pins or is this standard? 3) Any suggestions on brand of RAM? I see quite a wide price range and don't want to get something unsuitable. The system is rock solid stable ,and I don't want to mess that up.
Many/most(?) motherboards are picky about what RAM they will run properly. 1. Find a spec sheet online for your computer/mobo. 2. It will probably say you can use 16GB chips (with the appropriate OS), but you want to be sure before you buy. 3. Spec sheet will also probably say you can use either ECC or NECC RAM. The NECC may be considerably cheaper. You can't use ECC and NECC together. 4. If all the necessary RAM info is not on the spec sheet, download and run an information program like SIV. You'll want to know the voltage of your RAM (most 1600 is 1.5v) and the "latency" or "timings". 1600 is offered in at least 7-to-11 latency, so you'll want to know what you have already and stick to that latency parameter. You can also go to Crucial's website and use their configurator. If you buy from them they guarantee compatibility and refund if not satisfied. I believe DDR3 comes only in 240 pin. Good luck.
Thanks much Scat, I've looked into it. My PC can take 16GB chips, ECC or NECC, only DDR3 RDIMM and has a latency of 11. I could not spot the voltage in SIV. Ran it on Crucial, manual and auto scan came up with the four below. 1) DDR3 PC3-14900 • CL=13 • Dual Ranked • x4 based • Registered • ECC • DDR3-1866 • 1.5V • 2048Meg x 72 • $397.99 2) DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Dual Ranked • x4 based • Registered • ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 2048Meg x 72 • $379.99 3) DDR3 PC3-14900 • CL=13 • Dual Ranked • x4 based • Registered • ECC • DDR3-1866 • 1.5V • 2048Meg x 72 • $567.99 4) DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Dual Ranked • x4 based • Registered • ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 2048Meg x 72 • Low Profile • $539.99 I could not tell the PC speed expressed as PC3-8500/PC3-12800/PC3-14900, but when all other criteria were entered then only #3 was shown. To my untrained eye specs look fairly similar, voltage varies but I have not been able to narrow that down. Thoughts on this?
Thoughts... 1. Get RAM with the right voltage and timings. I'd be a bit wary of buying from Crucial without talking to their tech support first. None of the choices they listed for your scan are 1.5v with CL 11. Maybe your 3600 will run one of the others, maybe not. 2. Check out the prices on NECC. Might be significantly cheaper. Personally, I don't think we really need ECC. (I've had workstations with ECC and others with NECC... I can't tell any difference. And for trading, I doubt dropping a data bit once a year is worth the price differential.) Perhaps your Crucial scan showed only ECC alternatives because that's what you have now. And apparently Crucial has them only in 8GB sticks(?). Be sure to check Newegg, TigerDirect, others for prices on larger sticks. .......................................................................... I checked Newegg... they didn't list any 16GB sticks in 1600, 8GB largest. They did, however, have 16GB kits (2x8GB) @1.5V, CL=11... for ~ $150. 2 of those would be $300 and give you 32GB for now. I didn't look through them to see if ECC or NECC, but for the price highly likely they're NECC.
Thanks again Scat. I was a bit troubled that if I got the other specs right, it had to be 1.35v and if I wanted 1.5v then other specs would be out. Will certainly heed your advice to stay clear of such compromises. I'll check out the options and may just talk to Crucial - Skype calls are cheap. Newegg don't ship to Thailand but there are companies in the States taking care of exactly this issue for a nominal fee so I'm not writing them off yet.
A brother who would oblige and a bunch of former colleagues, American friends are all over here. It wouldn't be a problem anyway, I have in mind either shipito.com or reship.com, both used by the expat crowd here and reliable. I'll confirm how they are about shipping fragile items first.
Scat, I think I got lucky here. Searching for more info I came across mention of a specialist memory store in Bangkok. Checked them out and this is what they have; IBM OOD 4968 1X16 GB 2Rx4 1.5v PC3 12800 CL11 ECC DDR3 1600MHz at $207.72, plus 7% VAT. My only concern was the description does not mention RDIMM, but I came back and checked out the IBM site and got this page; http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/xseries/upgrades/mmatrix.html Every revision of OOD4968 mentions RDIMM, and the chap at the store said the same. Couldn't find a spec sheet, so this indirect check is all I could do.
I believe most ECC is registered, so sounds like this one will work in your machine. You might ask the vendor about returning if it doesn't.