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9100 / XPS memory - what works?

post #1 of 34
4/7/04 at 1:01pm
Thread Starter 
I read a post yesterday that someone tried Geil memory and it didn't work. What type of Geil was it? What size? Newegg shows a high-latency OEM version and a low-latency Retail version.

I tried just for fun to put my matched-pair 512MB PC2100 into my 9100 and it came up with an error on boot stating that the machine will only accept DDR400 (PC3200) memory.

When I read about the Geil problem, I had already placed an order for the Retail version from Newegg, hopefully it will work!
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post #2 of 34
4/7/04 at 2:19pm
I would suggets cancelling the Order the title right there is a problem (high latency) Geil makes terrible Notebook memory most if not all case involed some sort of incompatibilty problem or error. I would instead direct you towards Samung, Crucial, Kingmax memory in place of it.

www.ocsystems.com Kingmax 400Mhz memory is preffered and something i personally reccomend
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post #3 of 34
4/7/04 at 2:59pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, but the order has already shipped... it's low-latency, though... hopefully it will work.
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post #4 of 34
4/7/04 at 3:48pm
I agree with Dell-Machina....I have read problems with Geil. They may require you to adjust the mobo voltage. Try crucial, kingmax or others. Or you can even get Dell memory. (read this post )
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post #5 of 34
4/7/04 at 5:53pm
I've got 2 GB of Crucial RAM in my XPS, it's working great!

B.
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post #6 of 34
4/7/04 at 6:24pm
Thread Starter 
I checked Crucial first, they were out of stock...
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post #7 of 34
4/7/04 at 7:29pm
kingmax here from 4allmemory.
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post #8 of 34
4/8/04 at 1:26am
This was the memory I got but just sent back today. Its the low latency stuff; the retail box. (From NewEgg site).

Geil Golden Dragon 200 Pin 512MB DDR SO-DIMM PC-3200 - Retail
(limit 5 per customer)

Specification
Manufacturer: Geil
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 200 Pin DDR SO-DIMM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2.5 7-4-4
Support Voltage: 2.55V-2.65V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: Wafer Level Chip Scale Package
Warranty: Lifetime

After installation it would not boot. LED's all blinked once in unison, then the middle one flashed 9 more times, then shut down. Of course I tried reseating and swapping around and one DIMM and mixing the Dell with the Giel etc. Nothing.

I ordered and had overnighted (for lack of other PC3200 memory on their site) the A-Data PC400. It has a CAS Latency of 2.5 so thats not bad. I wanted to get something else from NewEgg so I didn't have to pay any restocking fee. I am not sure if I would have anyway as I just said it was not compatible with my new system. I hope you have better luck. The retail package was crazy! I mean, I could put a picture of my daughter in it after I installed the memory. I mean magnetic, tri fold, burgundy velvety holder. At the time the ony had the retail version when I ordered. Now its even cheaper than when I ordered.

Anyway, the A-Data works great! Cleared up my little COD hesitation problem! Will do some 3D mark testing tomorrow hopefully to see the difference!

Hope you have better luck than me! Post your results!
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post #9 of 34
4/8/04 at 8:55am
Thread Starter 
Ugh. Thanks for the info, I should find out today or tomorrow, but I'm ready to get another set if the Geil doesn't work...
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post #10 of 34
4/8/04 at 5:28pm
Thread Starter 
Yep, same problem here, the exact same light flashing pattern that you had. I'm trying the A-Data ones, too!

BTW, the Retail pack had the same latency and timings that Newegg lists for the OEM version, i.e. 3.0-8-3-3, instead of what Newegg listed as the retail timings of 2/5-7-3-3. I wonder if that is the problem?
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post #11 of 34
4/8/04 at 10:56pm
Geil just isnt dependable when it comes to laptops My advice as alwasyto everyone STAY AWAY FROM GEIL
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post #12 of 34
4/8/04 at 11:14pm
Before this thread I'd never even heard of Geil. Guess I wasn't missing much
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post #13 of 34
4/13/04 at 10:13am
i've never heard of A-Data but for only 109 per stick on new egg doesnt sound that bad of a deal
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post #14 of 34
4/13/04 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DELL-Machina
I would suggets cancelling the Order the title right there is a problem (high latency) Geil makes terrible Notebook memory most if not all case involed some sort of incompatibilty problem or error. I would instead direct you towards Samung, Crucial, Kingmax memory in place of it.

www.ocsystems.com Kingmax 400Mhz memory is preffered and something i personally reccomend
www.ocsystem.com
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post #15 of 34
4/13/04 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
I got the A-Data yesterday and it works great. Coincidentally, or not, the 2D video corruption that I saw using Dell memory and powerstrip to clock the vid card went away with the A-Data memory. The memory that Dell shipped has a latency of 3.0 and the A-Data is 2.5, perhaps that can account for the difference?

I also saw the fastest-yet 3DMark score - 3862... faster than a lot of the XPS scores I've seen, even overclocked ones!
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post #16 of 34
4/13/04 at 3:22pm
I ordered 2 things of 512 3200 A-Data ram aswell, supposedly they have some good desktop DDR ram, but again i've never heard of them
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post #17 of 34
4/13/04 at 3:42pm
So, is upgrading from the stock 2x256 Dell sticks to 2x512 Dell sticks a bad idea?
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post #18 of 34
4/13/04 at 4:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The ArchAngel
So, is upgrading from the stock 2x256 Dell sticks to 2x512 Dell sticks a bad idea?
If you have money to burn, then probably not. It costs $220 to buy 2 sticks of 512 from a third party, but $400 from dell.
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post #19 of 34
4/13/04 at 4:39pm
I went with the Dell memory, but only because they had a "free upgrade" promo (free being very affordable in my books
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post #20 of 34
4/13/04 at 4:44pm
cant argue with that.
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