Gateway Pent 3 memory upgrade

  • Thread starter Thread starter Don Ward
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Don Ward

I have a Pent3 Gateway mini tower that has provision for 3 pc100 sdram chips.
Gateway web site lists 384 mb max... well yes if i use 128/pc100.
What if i put 3 pc100/256 or 512 chip sets??
Is there something with motherboard that limits the ram to 384mb??
Model # TB3 Esseential 500 with MB 4000508....
Thanks
don ward
 
I have a Pent3 Gateway mini tower that has provision for 3 pc100 sdram chips.
Gateway web site lists 384 mb max... well yes if i use 128/pc100.
What if i put 3 pc100/256 or 512 chip sets??
Is there something with motherboard that limits the ram to 384mb??
Model # TB3 Esseential 500 with MB 4000508....
Thanks
don ward
Click to expand...

This is conflict in the data you've provided.
The "TB3", as well as the Essential 500, suggests to me that it's an
Intel Tabor, 440BX chipset, standard ATX motherboard.

On the other hand, the "4000508", appears to be the part number for
something different, an NLX form-factor motherboard with only 2 memory
slots, integrated video, and a PCI riser daughterboard.
http://support.gateway.com/s/Servers/COMPO/MOTHERBD/4000508/400050801.shtml

Let's assume you have the first one, the Tabor 440BX, as you also
mentioned the 3 memory slots, like this:
http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/4000503/400050301.shtml

The Tabor can accept up to 768MB of memory. "Some" people have
successfully used regular non-registered memory to achieve this 768MB,
but according to Intel's documents, registered memory is required for
(either 512MB or above 512MB, I forget which). At any rate i expect
you can use 512MB of non-registered memory fine, but if you wanted to
try 768MB it might be a good idea to buy under the assumption that you
do need registered memory. Frankly I wouldn't buy 768MB for that age
and speed of system, it might not even be all that cost effective to
add 512MB if you're wanting to upgrade again anytime soon.

The board can accept max of 256MB per slot, PC100 or PC133, but it
must be 128Megabit modules, as 16x8 configuration, 16 chips per module
to total that 256MB. The higher density PC133 256MB modules you'll
find in stores today, won't work. Typically you're more likely to
find the memory you need spec'd as PC100, and these days it'll usually
cost almost twice as much as the higher density PC133 memory you can't
use.
 
I have a Pent3 Gateway mini tower that has provision for 3 pc100 sdram chips.
Gateway web site lists 384 mb max... well yes if i use 128/pc100.
What if i put 3 pc100/256 or 512 chip sets??
Is there something with motherboard that limits the ram to 384mb??
Model # TB3 Esseential 500 with MB 4000508....
Thanks
don ward
Click to expand...

The gateway site for the serial # shows motherboard as #4000608.. its
looks similar but not exactily as your site showed.
The MB definately has 3 memory slots next to the processor. It came with
one 128mb pc 100 chip ..
I am new to the pc world and the term "registered memory" is not familiar
what does it mean ???
As for up grading this is to be used primarily as a server or just for
nominal email... i have a killer p4 i assembled for my digital audio
work...
thanks for the start
How do i find mother board configurations at gate way under what
catagory thanks

don ward


This is conflict in the data you've provided.
The "TB3", as well as the Essential 500, suggests to me that it's an
Intel Tabor, 440BX chipset, standard ATX motherboard.

On the other hand, the "4000508", appears to be the part number for
something different, an NLX form-factor motherboard with only 2 memory
slots, integrated video, and a PCI riser daughterboard.
http://support.gateway.com/s/Servers/COMPO/MOTHERBD/4000508/400050801.shtml

Let's assume you have the first one, the Tabor 440BX, as you also
mentioned the 3 memory slots, like this:
http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/4000503/400050301.shtml

The Tabor can accept up to 768MB of memory. "Some" people have
successfully used regular non-registered memory to achieve this 768MB,
but according to Intel's documents, registered memory is required for
(either 512MB or above 512MB, I forget which). At any rate i expect
you can use 512MB of non-registered memory fine, but if you wanted to
try 768MB it might be a good idea to buy under the assumption that you
do need registered memory. Frankly I wouldn't buy 768MB for that age
and speed of system, it might not even be all that cost effective to
add 512MB if you're wanting to upgrade again anytime soon.

The board can accept max of 256MB per slot, PC100 or PC133, but it
must be 128Megabit modules, as 16x8 configuration, 16 chips per module
to total that 256MB. The higher density PC133 256MB modules you'll
find in stores today, won't work. Typically you're more likely to
find the memory you need spec'd as PC100, and these days it'll usually
cost almost twice as much as the higher density PC133 memory you can't
use.
 
The gateway site for the serial # shows motherboard as #4000608.. its
looks similar but not exactily as your site showed.
The MB definately has 3 memory slots next to the processor. It came with
one 128mb pc 100 chip ..
I am new to the pc world and the term "registered memory" is not familiar
what does it mean ???
Click to expand...

Basically there's a register, buffer on the module that imposes an
additional wait, slowdown, for stability.
As for up grading this is to be used primarily as a server or just for
nominal email... i have a killer p4 i assembled for my digital audio
work...
Click to expand...

Then do you really need to upgrade the memory? You might find that
adding a single PC100, 128MB DIMM is enough, and certainly cheaper
than maxing out the memory capacity on the board.
thanks for the start
How do i find mother board configurations at gate way under what
catagory thanks
Click to expand...

Don't know....
The board is the same chipset, appears to be similar enough to the one
I previously mentioned, you'd need the same type of memory.
 
kony said:
Let's assume you have the first one, the Tabor 440BX, as you also
mentioned the 3 memory slots, like this:
http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/4000503/400050301.shtml

The Tabor can accept up to 768MB of memory. "Some" people have
successfully used regular non-registered memory to achieve this 768MB,
but according to Intel's documents, registered memory is required for
(either 512MB or above 512MB, I forget which). At any rate i expect
you can use 512MB of non-registered memory fine, but if you wanted to
try 768MB it might be a good idea to buy under the assumption that you
do need registered memory. Frankly I wouldn't buy 768MB for that age
and speed of system, it might not even be all that cost effective to
add 512MB if you're wanting to upgrade again anytime soon.
Click to expand...


..


The information you are referring to, is in the original Intel 440BX chipset,
82443BX datasheet. It was based on memory technology available at the time. The
largest unbuffered SDRAM DIMM that could be made with 64Mbit chips was 128MB. The
440BX chipset supported up to four DIMMs, so a total of 512MB was possible with
unbuffered DIMMs. To make a 256MB DIMM with 64Mbit chips, thirty-two 16Mx4 chips
were needed, and the DIMM had to be registered.

When DIMMs with 128Mbit chips were available, unbuffered 256MB DIMMs with 16Mx8
chips were tested and validated with the 440BX chipset.

His motherboard will support unbuffered 256MB DIMMs with sixteen 16Mx8 chips, and
unbuffered ECC 256MB DIMMs with eighteen 16Mx8 chips. It will support three of
these for a total of 768MB. His motherboard does not need or support registered
DIMMs.
 
When DIMMs with 128Mbit chips were available, unbuffered 256MB DIMMs with 16Mx8
chips were tested and validated with the 440BX chipset.
Click to expand...

Thanks, very useful info.
 
Here is the info from Gateway
DIMM sockets
Part number 4000504,4000510,4000532,4000533,4000585,4000586,4000608,4000614


The motherboard has three Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets.
Minimum memory size is 8MB; maximum size is 384MB. The BIOS automatically
detects memory type, size, and speed.

Memory can be installed in one, two or three sockets. Memory type, size
and speed can vary between sockets. Bank 0 is toward the back of the
board, next is bank 1, then bank 2.

The motherboard supports the following memory features:

* 168-pin DIMMs with gold-plated contacts
* Unbuffered SDRAM
* Synchronous DRAM improves memory performance through memory access that
is synchronous with the memory clock. This simplifies the timing design
and increases memory speed because all timing is dependent on the number
of memory clock cycles. The SDRAM should also meet the PC SDRAM Unbuffered
DIMM Specification for either 64-bit or 72-bit SDRAM.
* Memory Error Checking and Correction (ECC) is a powerful feature
designed to detect memory errors as they occur without interrupting system
operation.
* ECC memory detects multiple-bit errors (when two or more bits have
failed) and corrects single-bit errors (when a single bit has failed).
* When ECC memory is installed, the BIOS supports both ECC and non-ECC
mode. ECC mode is enabled in the Setup program.
* The BIOS automatically detects if ECC memory is installed and provides
the Setup option for selecting ECC mode.


* 66 or 100MHz SDRAM only
* Processors with a 100MHz FSB can be used with 100MHz RAM only.
* Processors with a 66MHz FSB can be used with 100MHz or 66MHz RAM.
* Non-ECC (64-bit) and ECC (72-bit) memory
* 3.3V memory only
* Single or double-sided DIMMs in the following sizes:

DIMM Size Non-ECC Configuration ECC Configuration
8MB 1 Mbit x 64 1 Mbit x 72
16MB 2 Mbit x 64 2 Mbit x 72
32MB 4 Mbit x 64 4 Mbit x 72
64MB 8 Mbit x 64 8 Mbit x 72
128MB 16 Mbit x 64 16 Mbit x 72


how much of this is gateway bs that i cant go over 384 mb ram i think
this would be more than enough though and at $29 per 128 pc 100 would be
cheap up grade

don
 
Here is the info from Gateway
DIMM sockets
Part number 4000504,4000510,4000532,4000533,4000585,4000586,4000608,4000614


The motherboard has three Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets.
Minimum memory size is 8MB; maximum size is 384MB. The BIOS automatically
detects memory type, size, and speed.

Memory can be installed in one, two or three sockets. Memory type, size
and speed can vary between sockets. Bank 0 is toward the back of the
board, next is bank 1, then bank 2.

The motherboard supports the following memory features:

* 168-pin DIMMs with gold-plated contacts
* Unbuffered SDRAM
* Synchronous DRAM improves memory performance through memory access that
is synchronous with the memory clock. This simplifies the timing design
and increases memory speed because all timing is dependent on the number
of memory clock cycles. The SDRAM should also meet the PC SDRAM Unbuffered
DIMM Specification for either 64-bit or 72-bit SDRAM.
* Memory Error Checking and Correction (ECC) is a powerful feature
designed to detect memory errors as they occur without interrupting system
operation.
* ECC memory detects multiple-bit errors (when two or more bits have
failed) and corrects single-bit errors (when a single bit has failed).
* When ECC memory is installed, the BIOS supports both ECC and non-ECC
mode. ECC mode is enabled in the Setup program.
* The BIOS automatically detects if ECC memory is installed and provides
the Setup option for selecting ECC mode.


* 66 or 100MHz SDRAM only
* Processors with a 100MHz FSB can be used with 100MHz RAM only.
* Processors with a 66MHz FSB can be used with 100MHz or 66MHz RAM.
* Non-ECC (64-bit) and ECC (72-bit) memory
* 3.3V memory only
* Single or double-sided DIMMs in the following sizes:

DIMM Size Non-ECC Configuration ECC Configuration
8MB 1 Mbit x 64 1 Mbit x 72
16MB 2 Mbit x 64 2 Mbit x 72
32MB 4 Mbit x 64 4 Mbit x 72
64MB 8 Mbit x 64 8 Mbit x 72
128MB 16 Mbit x 64 16 Mbit x 72


how much of this is gateway bs that i cant go over 384 mb ram i think
this would be more than enough though and at $29 per 128 pc 100 would be
cheap up grade

don
Click to expand...

Those are just the inital, tested configurations. We have the benefit
of hindsight, newer memory hit the market after their testing, and
know the 256MB 16x8 chip, modules will work. Even so, there's only so
much value in an aged, now relatively slow system like that, a single
128MB module sounds like a good value upgrade.
 
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