Off Topic: Uses for 20GB of Slow Server Memory - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: 6E5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2014, 07:16:58 am
content: Hello,Recently, I acquired about 20GB total of DDR2 RAM, 10 sticks of 2GB. This is ECC type memory, so it will not work in a standard desktop.Are there any worthwhile applications for this? I am not interested in gaming and possess no specialized server equipment.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2014, 07:47:53 am
content: Funny I got a Xeon based Dell precision 490 but I only have spare regular DDR2 memory sticks, wanna trade a couple?The computer was given to me from work but they removed the hard drives and the memory, been planning to get some online but I always find other things to do instead.I have 2 2G DDR2 with heatsink memory sticks. CM2X2048-6400C5 800MHz 5-5-5-12 XMS2-6400 brand Corsair.I also have 2 1GB Kingston KVR400/1GR. PC3200 184 pin DIMM's (those are older so probably no use to you).

author: 6E5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2014, 10:01:48 am
content: Hey,PM me and perhaps we can work out a deal!

author: iampoor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2014, 08:13:19 pm
content: Fireworks?

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2014, 09:11:55 pm
content: I sent you a PM, (actually two I think) because it doesn't show me the sent messages, I forgot to add on the 2nd one that my system takes Fully Buffered DIMM ECC PC2-5300 DDR2 667MHz

author: 6E5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2014, 11:43:49 pm
content: Hey Mike,I just shot you the info on the RAM and an offer.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 12:34:47 am
content: Darn, would have been a great trade but the manual for the system specifies the following for the memory type:533- and 667-MHz Fully Buffered DDR2 SDRAM (Fully Buffered DIMMs or FBDs)PC2-5300Yours is 400 MHz PC2-3200RI think my motherboard won't step down to PC2-3200. Let me try to see if I can find more information on the dell site, I really don't care if the memory is "slow" 400MHz is fast enough for my needs. I'll get back to you after I dig a bit deeper.Btw, here is what mine look like, the pretty cover is made of metal

author: 6E5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 01:18:41 am
content: Hi Miguel,I'm pretty sure that as long as its the right type (DDR2, DDR3), the actual speed is irreverent. However, don't quote me on that!Take care and get back to me,Paul

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 02:24:55 am
content: You can put faster ram in, it just runs at a slower clock rate.But if you put slower ram into a machine that doesn't support it, it will either run the ram at the faster speed (overclock) or refuse to boot.If you can 'up' the RAM voltage a tiny bit you can usually overclock just fine.However i have no experience with registered ram.

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 03:09:56 am
content: Always check the chipset datasheet / mobo manual for the memory speeds which are supported.If DDR2-400 is not listed as supported memory, you might try a game of luck. Sometimes, chipsets also work with officially unsupported memory speeds. Sometimes, the memory module is of such a high quality that it can reliably run at a higer speed than officially rated at (which might depend on the motherboard as some tweaking in the BIOS is needed to override the settings from the module's configuration eeprom).

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 03:22:57 am
content: So I did check and the problem is not only the big gap between PC2-3200 and PC2-5200, the motherboard might be able to handle PC2-4200 on the lower end.The major problem is that the memory has to be Fully Buffered (FB) so there is no chance it will work.Sorry about that Paul.Don't worry the memory I have, won't go to waste, I eventually will upgrade my XP machine to W-7 then I could use it. I just put it aside back on Vista days because that OS was a dog so I downgraded the system, but that limited my memory and when XP 64 came out well I just didn't want to deal with it.

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 03:42:03 am
content: The slot on FB DIMMS is in a different place :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FB-DIMM_DDR2_vs._DDR2_photo_with_pin_count.jpgYou can get registered ddr2 dimms that have the slot in the same place as normal ddr2 dimms, but registered is not fully buffered,theres a difference.Some desktop pc motherboards can use registered ECC or unbuffered ram, i had a biostar a760g with 4gb of of registered ecc ram as a freeNAS box.That box is now running with normal memory and windows 7.

author: 6E5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 03:45:57 am
content: Hi,No problem. Good luck!Still have all this RAM I don't know what to do with...

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 04:00:06 am
content: Quote from: 6E5 on April 12, 2014, 03:45:57 amGet a motherboard or system that will use it, I bet they will be available for pretty cheap (under $200). Put your favorite flavor of linux. Or place them on ebay, someone will need them.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2014, 04:27:21 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on April 12, 2014, 12:34:47 amThere seems to be a glut of these, they are selling for around $1/2GB stick.