Memory for E5200 2.5mhz

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Phonetek

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Feb 26, 2015
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I recently orders some RAM for my sons E5200 2.5mhz desktop. Earlier I get an email from where I ordered it from saying FYI this memory is for a server and will not work in a regular desktop. Something I never ran into before. What is the difference between server memory and regular memory and why wouldn't it work if it's the same specs? I ordered DDR2 PC2-5300 (667 MHz) 4GB.

If it is incompatible I have to give some kudos to Upgradebay for notifying me before filling my order. That is diligence you don't see often!
 
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Unolocogringo

Unolocogringo

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Server memory is different in that it sends a checksum register with each transfer. It is called ECC or error checking and correction.
The server memory sends 64 bits of memory data and an 8 bit checksum. For a 72bit data path.
Regular desktop memory only sends 64bits of memory data on a 64bit data path.
 
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Phonetek

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Well poop, guess I gotta find some different stuff. Again, gotta give them credit for catching it. Saved me a lot of time and trouble having to do an RMA after probably beating my head against the wall trying to figure out why the computer wasn't working.
 
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Rookie_MIB

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There are some distinct differences between ECC ram and non-ECC ram (and mobos/cpus that support ECC).

Namely, many of the ECC RAM modules in older (DDR/DDR2) are -registered- and in other words (basically) have extra chips to hold the ECC bits. This also draws a bit more power.

Mobo's have to be specifically designed to support ECC RAM, and while some older Mobos would support either ECC or non-ECC ram (if ECC wasn't supported it was just disabled and not used by the bios). Later versions (DDR2 ECC) were more specific to Intel and there were two types available: Registered ECC DDR2 (Intel spec) and unbuffered ECC DDR2 (Amd). I ran into this cluster of a spec when I put together a server utilizing a Gigabyte board with an Opteron CPU. Gigabyte said 'supports DDR2 ECC or NON-ECC', but apparently it requires UNBUFFERED ECC DDR2, or straight non-ECC ram.

So, there is a distinct difference, and unless your mobo SPECIFICALLY supports the correct TYPE of ECC ram, and your CPU SPECIFICALLY supports ECC (yours does NOT), you will most likely not be able to use ECC ram. The type you probably need is straight up DDR2, non-ECC ram.

It's a very common thing on ebay to see that listings for ram are very specific in the title where they say 'server ram', or 'desktop ram'. Although, if you had a workstation class desktop, you'd probably be able to use the 'server ram' as well.
 
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Phonetek

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Thank you for your thorough answers, I understand completely. As far as getting RAM off eBay, that won't happen. I have grabbed enough hot pots and got burned on there enough times to learn my lesson. Not always computer stuff but in general. Same with Craigslist. I prefer to stick to retail and veterans of this forum to get stuff from.
 
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Phonetek

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One more question guys, don't mean to be a pest. I see in this machine there are two sticks. One is 333Mhz and the other is 667Mhz. I guess that now poses the question of which one is right? Since it's been working like this for years I guess no harm can come to it. I always thought they have to be matched sets as far as that goes?
 
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Unolocogringo

Unolocogringo

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They almost always have to be matched sets for dual channel memory to work.
But some times on single channel set up you can mix sticks if the motherboard can find settings on the SPD,serial presence detect, chip that they will both work at.
It will run both sticks at the lower sticks speeds.
The best match for your processor would be DDR2-800 memory for best performance. But unless benchmarking or serious encoding you would not see any apparent difference using DDR2-667.
The memory controller on the processor has memory dividers to work with slower and faster memory.
 
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Phonetek

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Thank you again. You guys are awesome. For years I've simply just upgraded memory by using the model of the machine and choosing the amount of MB or GB I wanted. Everything always went off without a hitch. In this case it's a motherboard in a case it didn't come in so model of the machine isn't helpful since I don't have a clue. There doesn't seem to be much info on this motherboard to make things easy. That's what makes this forum so valuable
 
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