Memory for x38 Dell T3400 workstation

R

reburns

n00b
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
7
Hello -

Can folks give useful advice for RAM purchase. I have a Dell T3400 coming, which uses a x38 chipset mobo currently built to pc2 6400. I will run XPx64 and max out the ram to 8GB to run intensive applications such as finite element analysis. I don't envision messing with OC, if it's even possible on the T4300.

I looked at getting faster-rated ram just to have margin, but the ratings I find on NewEgg are discouraging. Kingston is the only maker of ECC ram for this, but the price is 4X, and I believe there is a performance hit. I'm looking at either of these two bargin options, OR one pair of each:

1) GSkill: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 (from Taiwan)

2) Patriot:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220227 (made in USA...)

Recommendations?

I have 4GB GSkill in my Dell M90 laptop, and haven't seen any issues.

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And another question: I'm bumbling using memtest86: After downloading, I burn memtest.iso to the CD drive, but F12 booting from CD doesn't work. What should I be doing instead? Thanks.
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Dell may have trouble feeding the 2.0V required for the Pat, just because Dell never does anything to go above and beyond. The specs are the same apart from the voltage, so you won't see any difference between the two. I'd probably take the chance, personally.

No, Dell won't let you overclock at all. As such, it's pointless to invest in anything above 6400, unless you want to carry it over to a future build (which will probably use DDR3 or newer, so that's a moot point).

Did you burn MemTest.iso as a file, or as an image? If you just copied it onto a CD manually, it's still just a file, like an Office document. You need to use Nero or similar (or ISO Recorder for Windows) to burn it as an image. Then it'll be bootable.
 
Thanks Mavalpha, I did get the "image" burned alright.

By saying "probably take the chance", are you saying you'd flip the coin toss towards Patriot? Get all the same brand or a pair of each?
 
Hi -

No, I'm not ponying up for ECC. It's too spendy.

I was just trying to decide between the Patriot & GSkill for about $160/8GB, but not trying to pinch every penny. I've just never heard of Super Talent, and not sure which makers are the most reliable other than *maybe* Crucial & Kingston. Thanks for the heads up.
 
I've used quite a bit of SpuerTalent memory and haven't had any problems with it. You may want to read throught hat thread - the consensus seems to me that it is pretty good quality.
 
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