Replacement RAM Voltage

nivrip

nivrip

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My daughter's Dell Dimension 3100 has a miserable 512MB RAM and she wants to increase this. Abarbarian has 2x1GB Geil strips available and we think they MAY be compatible.

However, on checking specs further it seems that Dell RAM runs on 1.8V and AB's RAM is 2.1V

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We need to know from you PCR intelligensia whether this difference would make them totally incompatible.

Thanks in advance.
 

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If you go in to the BIOS on the Dell 3100, does it have any voltage selection options?

I've had a look at other memory config places and they all list 1.8v parts, so I think you may be out of luck :(
 
Ian Cunningham said:
I've had a look at other memory config places and they all list 1.8v parts, so I think you may be out of luck :(
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I'd second that...1.8v to 2.1v doesn't seem a lot, but in RAM terms it is a big jump. Not worth taking the risk of frying RAM if you ask me.
 
Some more info. from the net.


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There were four other sites I found giving a range from 1.8V to 2.2V and one showing 1.9V to 2.2V

However I then found this on a forum, about the same sticks

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This worried me a bit as I am not a techie and I don't want to run into trouble.
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Any further views on this?
 

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I would do as Ian suggested.....if your BIOS has adjustment for RAM voltage and can change to 2.1V then it will be ok...however if not stick to RAM which runs at 1.8V to be on the safe side.

As an aside I have used that Geil RAM and its good stuff for the price....but I ran it at 2.1V :thumb:
 
Ye that review is from the OcUK site, regarding the volts, like i said, there was a note in the packaging from Geil stating to set the bios RAM to 2.1, default was at 1.8 and it wasn't stable until i did just that. its been like that now for just over two years and not caused me a single problem.

Whats the ram in there atm running at?
 
V_R said:
Whats the ram in there atm running at?
Click to expand...

Don't know. She doesn't live here with me. I will try to find out but will need a bit of advice as to how to find the info. Where exactly do I look for this? Can someone spell it out in words of one syllable and gently guide me through it?
 
nivrip said:
Don't know. She doesn't live here with me. I will try to find out but will need a bit of advice as to how to find the info. Where exactly do I look for this? Can someone spell it out in words of one syllable and gently guide me through it?
Click to expand...

Hi Niv

If your daughter follows this link and downloads SIW ( Sytem Information Windows) she will be able to find out everything you need to know about the RAM. It really is a simple program to use...
 
Thanks for that MadX. :thumb:


With SIW looks like the maximum capacity for RAM is 1GB on her machine so AB's memory sticks will not be appropriate anyway.

Where on SIW would I find out whether it's possible to alter the RAM voltage?
 
Three more queries (well, two new ones anyway).


1. According to SIW the max capacity for RAM on this PC is 1GB so what would happen if I put in 2 GB?

2. The PC comes with two RAM slots. Is it essential that both have to be filled? In other words if max. capacity is 1GB can I just put a 1GB stick in one of the slots and leave the other empty?

3. How do I find out whether I can change the RAM voltage which seems to be very important ?
 
you are peeing into the wind with this

nivrip said:
Three more queries (well, two new ones anyway).


1. According to SIW the max capacity for RAM on this PC is 1GB so what would happen if I put in 2 GB?
Click to expand...
probably beep at you annoyingly, may not boot.

2. The PC comes with two RAM slots. Is it essential that both have to be filled? In other words if max. capacity is 1GB can I just put a 1GB stick in one of the slots and leave the other empty?
Click to expand...
No, it is not essential these days to fill both slots, however, you may find you cannot use a 1GB stick if max capacity is 1GB, that in my book means 2x512s

3. How do I find out whether I can change the RAM voltage which seems to be very important ?
Click to expand...
RTFM ... well, that's the usual answer ;) however, most would just look in the BIOS, and see if it can change.


Go to crucial's website, feed in the relivent info on your system, crucial will tell you exactly what can be used ... then order from them.


:user:
 
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