Hi,

I am in progress to upgrade the RAM-memory on my workstation from 2 GB to 4 GB. As it is associated with a significat expence I am trying to hold the price down.

I am using a Microstar International motherboard "MSI PRO266TD MasterLR (MS-9105)"

The manual recommends memory type " ECC registered DDR 200/266 SDRAM.

The suppliers websites informs me that they can supply ECC registered DDR on request, sounds expensive.

So my questions are:

1
Will it make a difference if I am using a 1024 MB ECC DDR 266 SDRAM memory instead of a 1024 MB ECC registered DDR 266 SDRAM meomry?

2
Suppliers/manufacturers recommended due to high quality and business morality?

3
Suppliers/manufacturers absolutley not recommended due to bad quality and notorious low business morality?

Greatfull for advises

Best regards
tungsten

Hello,

Some Motherboard accepts maximum amount of memory only in registered memory.

Extracted from FAQ in http://support.crucial.com/scripts/crucial.exe/faq

Description:
What does "registered" SDRAM mean?

Solution:
The term "registered" refers to how the memory module processes signals. Registered modules contain a register that delays all information transferred to the module by one clock cycle. This type of memory is primarily used in servers and was designed for modules with 32 or more chips on them to help ensure that data is properly handled.

While most PCs will accept only unbuffered SDRAM, there are some that accept registered SDRAM. Keep in mind that when you install registered SDRAM, all of the modules installed in your PC must be registered because unbuffered and registered modules are not interchangeable.

You can tell if you are using registered memory by looking at one of the modules currently installed in your system. If it has one or more small black chips mounted horizontally on the module, you have registered memory. If not, you have unbuffered memory.

HTH

Hi allo,

Thanks for your help.

I have just checked up my existing memory modules and they have a horizontal black chips mounted on the top left side.

As I have four (4) memory banks on the motherboard and each of them contain a 512 MB memory it gives that, If I got this right it means that the upgrade will only work if I am selecting registered memories.

I have also checked up the product range of Crucial but they have no suitable memory for my "MSI PRO266TD MasterLR (MS-9105)".

Do you think I just can install any manufacturers 1024 MB ECC registered DDR 266 SDRAM memory even if it not is special designed for the motherboard?

Best regards
tungsten

The same FAQ says that you can't mix ECC and Non ECC memory -

But if all your banks memory are ECC registered DDR SDRAM PC2100 - i.e 266 Mhz - memory every 1024 MB ECC registered 266 Mhz DDR SDRAM should work.

For SCSI servers like IBM or Compaq, they recommend you to take their memory to support you in case of problem - Otherwise they can says "The memory don't come from us and we are not in charge of your problem".

Hi allo,

Thanks for the advises and thanks for the information that DDR SDRAM PC2100 is an other notation for DDR 266 SDRAM I had not realized that. It is confusing with all double notation for the same thing

I have read the FAQ recommended by you and as all my memory banks are filed up with 512 MB modules, there are just four (4) memory banks on the card so i have to replace all of them to get 4 MB.

I have got the information that from an other person that ECC is usually reserved for server use and that it is not needed on a workstation.

Do you have any idea about that?

/tungsten

ECC memory are far more expensive than non ECC memory - at least 2 times - because it can detects parity errors in memory : so it's important for critical servers and not so useful - IMHO - for workstations.
In my company - > 150 000 PC - only important servers have ECC memory.

But it's your decision ...

HTH

Hi allo,

Thats explain a lot for me.

I build the workstation by components delivered by a local supplier that are managing the servers of small and medium size companies in the neighborhood. They give me the best equipment they could find.

As I am hunting the cost will I go for the unregistered memory.

Thanks again for all your help.

Your gratefully
tungsten