DDr2 not fitting into a DDr2 socket...

Randomdeath

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I bought a four pack of 8gb DDr2 ECC ram sticks, and they didn't fit into my Dell Precision 390. I know physically they don't fit, but why? Did this Dell (0dn75 motherboard) take only specific ram? If so where can I find some that isn't over $100???

If I can't get desktop ram, can I get an adapter, or maybe even make one, that fits what I bought into the slots on my motherboard?

Heres what I bought: https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Workstation-Buffered-PC2-5300-Tech/dp/B00VO5L7RK/ref=sr_1_8?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1483649749&sr=1-8&keywords=8gb+ddr2+ecc+atech
 

Randomdeath

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Yes thank you I've been there please read the <removed by mod>question all the way through

four of those sticks are $115 im not paying $115 for a 10 year old system
 

King_V

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That memory you bought is ECC memory.

I checked Crucial.com real quick, and it shows the Precision 390 takes non-ECC memory.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Dell/precision-workstation-390

I *believe* the memory is keyed differently (notches in the memory module), so, if my assumption is correct, that's why it won't fit.


CORRECTION - I opened out the rest of the list. It takes both types.

This site, however
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26821430/Will-DDR2-ECC-memory-work-in-a-standard-desktop-PC.html

says that fully buffered vs non buffered are keyed differently. The list at Crucial shows the ECC memory that works on the 390 to be unbuffered.
 


Wow watch your language.
Your board supports ECC RAM and non-ECC RAM but you bought Fully Buffered ECC RAM, thus it won't fit.
 

Randomdeath

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I checked in task manager and it just says DDr, but the motherboard specs say DDr2, and the sticks themselves say "1gb DDr2" and you are right, ECC and regular ram is keyed differently, but I also assumed that since it was a workstation system it would take ECC...
 


The issue isnt ECC but the fact that it is fully buffered RAM.
 

Randomdeath

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Is there partially buffered ram? What's the technical term, so i can search it easier?
 

King_V

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Actually, I had to make a correction - it does take both ECC and non-ECC, but as others have alreaedy pointed out, the fully buffered vs non-buffered thing is the issue (and in my correction to my previous post, I added a link to where I got the info that non-buffered and fully buffered ECC are keyed differently from each other)