Finding RDRAM Memory for Dell Dimension 8100?

macman

I'm trying to upgrade an old Dell Dimension 8100 that is trying (and failing) to run XP on 256MB RAM. It requires RDRAM non-ECC modules in matched pairs. I need either 2x128MB or preferably 2x256MB.
Neither Crucial nor Kingston sell this type any more, the only supplier I have found so far is AEMemory.com whom I've never heard of before, and it's quite pricey for an old system like this:
http://www.aememory.co.uk/asp/uk/categorylist1.asp?id=192545&type=27&type1=231277&lmd=2
Does anyone know of any other supplier? I've had a look on eBay and there are some there, which may be the only economic option.

davb

I know people who have used Orcalogic in the past with no problems. They are usually quite good for Rdram, but it is expensive at the best of times - which is why it was blown out of the water by DDR which is faster and cheaper.

4743hudsonj

davb wrote: »

I know people who have used Orcalogic in the past with no problems. They are usually quite good for Rdram, but it is expensive at the best of times - which is why it was blown out of the water by DDR which is faster and cheaper.

ive used them more than anyone else usually couple of quid more but great service.....

isofa

Have a look on eBay there was a good seller, something like anteaterblue or blueanteater who could get pretty much any RAM, used him for an old set of Dimension systems a while back...

macman

Thanks guys. The current memory is non-ECC, Orca seem to be o/s of that, most of it is ECC:
http://www.orcalogic.co.uk/asp/prodtype.asp?prodtype=1932&ft=m
Can I mix ECC and non-ECC as long as they're on separate banks? I've currently got 2 slots on one bank with 128MB each, 2 other slots free.

davb

Not sure, but I would ask Orca - then if they say yes, and it doesn't work, you should have no problem getting a full refund.

Beverley_Bill

This is an old post revival, and I am looking to speed up my neighbours computer for him. Has Dimension 8100 memory come down at all? and did anyone find a good price from spurious parts.

ECC stands for Error Correcting Code

If you fit ECC memory alongside Non ECC memory the Error Control wont work, but as the machine comes with Non ECC, then unless you are going to replace 4 modules or just do away with the original modules I cannot see it is worth it.

ECC memory works alongside non ECC, but the Error Control is then disabled.

GunJack

XP can run ok on 256MB RAM, I'm typing this one one such lappy right now

1. go into BIOS and ensure the RAM allocated to graphics is set to the min possible.

2. follow closed's thread on speeding up a slow pc.

3. Use blackviper's guide on what services to stop from running:-
http://www.blackviper.com/2008/05/19/black-vipers-windows-xp-x86-32-bit-service-pack-3-service-configurations/

et voila !! nice useable computer

closed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

spannerzone

I got some from Ebay for a friend's pc and going from 256 to 512 made all the difference.... RDRam is hard to find but Ebay seems the cheapest place and almost no vendor bothers stocking it as it's very old and obsolete memory unfortunately.

GunJack

^^^^ yeah, even DDR ram ain't cheap any more - why d'ya think this "toy" lappy is still sitting here with 256MB in it ??

the upside of a low-spec machine is that it makes a good testing platform for new combinations of software, especially AV progs - if it still runs reasonably well with what you load onto it, then a higher-spec machine will have no issues with said combination