Standard DRAM Memory

[Voodoo2219]

Hi!

I have a Dell Optiplex 320, and have been looking to maximize my memory on it.

However, i'm getting confused..... Dell shows maximum i can put in it is 2GB divided in to the 2 sockets (so that's 1GB each?).

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/op320/en/UG_en/dt_spec.htm#wp1143621  (desktop version)

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/op320/en/UG_en/mt_spec.htm#wp1141061  (mini- tower version)

Your site shows 4GB max and you're offering 2gb modules. Are you sure these will work? Do i need to do anything with my machine, to ensure that it DOES work? I heard something about updating the BIOS, but if the manufacturer site shows only 2GB, are you guys sure these will work?

Please help a confused guy with his dilemma!! Thanks!

n2nY

*title edited as the post was moved from another thread*

[Crucial_maulmod]

Hi voodoo2219,

It is possible that there are different versions of the Optiplex 320 and some can only support 2GB, whereas others are capable of 4GB depending on the chipset and memory controller installed at the manufacturing stage. 

The information we have is it should definitely support this amount and many customers have successfully done so.

Occasionally a BIOS update is required after upgrading the memory but not always, we would only really recommend it if you were having any problems. 

If you do need 4GB of memory, you should go ahead and try it- it will not damage your system.  If it turns out that your particular model does not support it, it would only show half the amount, in which case we could exchange it for you. 

Please remember that if you have a 32-bit operating system then it would be limited to 3.5GB or less anyway.  So you should think about what activities you do and how much memory you actually need.

I hope this helps but let us know if you have any further questions.

[npiaseck]

As someone who went through this, trust me, Crucial's site is wrong. (Well, inaccurate might be a better term.)

It boils down to this: You can use 2 x 2GB if and only if you don't have anything sitting in the PCI Express slot.

If something is in the PCI Express slot, such as the ATI card with the DVI port that typically shipped in many configurations, then if you put in 4GB of RAM, the system will either not boot, only 2GB will show up as visible, or the video card might vanish. Generally, strange things happen.

It seems to be a problem with the way the BIOS reserves address space or it is a problem with voltage. Either way, Dell isn't going to fix it. (Personally, I have a feeling that the problem is in hardware, not the BIOS, but I am not an engineer.)

IMHO, the maximum supported configuration is 2GB, as Dell states. That you can get away with 4GB if nothing is in the PCI Express slot is kind of an accident of the motherboard's (faulty?) design, and these are the Crucial customers who have successfully installed 2 x 2GB modules.

Hope that helps someone.