Dell Vostro Slim (220s) 8GB DDR2 RAM

[xor2g]

Hi,

I have a Dell Vostro Slim 220s with 4gb of DDR2 ram.

Suddenly my dell support center says that it can support 8gb of ram (the manual says 4gb).

When googling this I find some sites that say 8gb, most 4gb.

It has the G41 chipset, so in theory 8GB should work.


However, before I shell out, could somebody shed some light on this ?

Thank you !!

 

[o1die]

It won't work, and 4 gb ddr2 sticks are expensive. 4 gb total system ram is plenty, even for windows 7 64. The 32 bit windows only recognizes 3.25 gb of ram, if that is your operating system. Most g41 other boards only work with 4 gb.

 

[xor2g]

bummer

its a w2k8 r2 machine that i use as HTPC.
I could have really used the 8gb because i'm running a virtual pc on it and use it to watch blurays ..

could you please tell me how you can be so sure that it won't work ?

 

[o1die]

I checked the ram update links; all only recommend the 2x2 gb kit. If you need more, you will have to change to a ddr3 board and get this kit from newegg today: gdkill 8 gb ddr3 1333 for $24.99 shipped. This dell board works with ddr3, and should work with your present windows operating system: http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-DG41KR-SOCKET-LGA-775-MOTHERBOARD-G41-CORE-2-QUAD-DDR3-W-HDMI-GIGABIT-LAN-/370558605589?pt=Motherboards&hash=item5647039915. Or you can go with a cheaper newegg replacement board and new windows 7 operating system from craigslist: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138315

 

[o1die]

I've been building my own systems for twenty years, and have worked at dell austin assemblying boards several times. Besides, as I pointed out originally, 4 gb ddr2 sticks are very expensive even if your board worked with them. It's much cheaper to change to a ddr3 board than use 8 gb of ddr2.

 

[xor2g]

Thank for your responses o1die

Just fyi : my objective is to "max out" the computer

it's a hobby of mine to max out the computers i get, not upgrade them.

i know i sank a lot of money into stuff like pentium extreme editions and so on , while i should have upgraded
but i am glad i did.. i consider it a collection


the 220s already runs an overpriced E8600 with a hard to find 450W TFX PSU.
The low profile HD 6670 will be installed when it's available.

all that was missing is the RAM in order to max it out


also, this post : http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19346741/19751518.aspx#19751518

confims that 8gb works, even as of 2010 with the latest bios update


tldr : i have an expensive hobby lol

 

[beefcake124]

thanks so much xor2g for doing the research, i looked so much for the answer to this question and was only able to find people assuming you couldnt or telling me its not worth it. Upgrading my dell is turning out to be tricky

 

[Jim Hutto]

Hi,

I have a Dell Vostro Slim 220s with 4gb of DDR2 ram.

Suddenly my dell support center says that it can support 8gb of ram (the manual says 4gb).

When googling this I find some sites that say 8gb, most 4gb.

It has the G41 chipset, so in theory 8GB should work.


However, before I shell out, could somebody shed some light on this ?

Thank you !!

Yes it will work with 8GB DDR2. You need the latest BIOS flash though. I have a Vostro 200 setup to be a HTPC for my TV and I wanted 8GB ram, with the original BIOS or one that is not the latest it will not recognize it.

 

[Legohouse]

IMO, 4GB is the max it would take. Updating your BIOS may add the 8GB support, TBH i don't think so that with the latest update that you will be able to handle 8GB. It is not only the chipset, the motherboard but it also depends on the processor. So instead of try different things for this Old PC, let it be as it is. Instead save your budget for a new system.

Source:
http://www.memorystock.com/memory/DellVostro220sSlimTower.html
http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/Dell-memory/Vostro+Desktops/Vostro+220+Mini+Tower-upgrades.html

 

[Kisianik]

Well, let me add something as well.

There is a possibility that 4GB sticks would work because:
1. When your PC was manufactured there were no 4GB memory sticks, so now I seen similar situation with compatible Inspiron models using similar setups, and they support 8GB, so it is 50/50.
2. http://www.compuram.de/arbeitsspeicher,Dell,Desktop-1-Workstation,Vostro,220-4-+220s.htm
3. http://www.speicherbauer.it/memoria/Dell/Desktop-1-Workstation/Vostro/220-4-+220s.htm

How about that?

I would get 4GB ones with good return policy, or even better, check your local electronic stores for this and try and return - in any case please post results back - it will help others. I would recommend using Crucial, Corsair, G.Skill and Kingston - those brands reported to work in Dells well.

 

[tigerridge]

Hi,

I have a Dell Vostro Slim 220s with 4gb of DDR2 ram.

Suddenly my dell support center says that it can support 8gb of ram (the manual says 4gb).

When googling this I find some sites that say 8gb, most 4gb.

It has the G41 chipset, so in theory 8GB should work.


However, before I shell out, could somebody shed some light on this ?

Thank you !!

Yes, the Vostro 220s will run 8gb of DDR2 ram...Just be sure you have Bios version 1.2.2 or 1.3....It's not cheap though....

 

[gkr10]

The BIOS upgrade to 1.3 is the key to being able to increase your memory higher than 4 GB meaning 8 GB or more.

It's possible it will work to work with more than 8 GB. Would anyone know for sure?

 

[Jim Thompson45]

I have one of these computers too. It is running currently on only one 2gb stick of RAM.
I'll look at buying some 4 gb DDR2 sticks now to upgrade. However, I will have to read up on the necessary BIOS upgrade. I don't know anything about that.
Can someone forward me a link to this information please?

 

[Jimmmmy]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

 

[LanConnect]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

Hello Jummmmy... I believe that will only work with 800mhz RAM. Model PC2 6400.

Can you test and reply if work ??

 

[Jimmmmy]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

Hello Jummmmy... I believe that will only work with 800mhz RAM. Model PC2 6400.

Can you test and reply if work ??

Since then I've changed the modules to the ones you suggest. But nothing changed!

So disappointing!

 

[Kisianik]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

Hello Jummmmy... I believe that will only work with 800mhz RAM. Model PC2 6400.

Can you test and reply if work ??

Since then I've changed the modules to the ones you suggest. But nothing changed!

So disappointing!

Unfortunately 220S can not support more than 4 GB total - take a look on your motherboard, you see that you have 2 RAM slots removed (empty space). If you had Mini Tower, you would have the same motherboard, but with 4 memory slots. Yes, chipset supports 8GB, but in 2GB x 4 sticks.

Sorry.

 

[Jimmmmy]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

Hello Jummmmy... I believe that will only work with 800mhz RAM. Model PC2 6400.

Can you test and reply if work ??

Since then I've changed the modules to the ones you suggest. But nothing changed!

So disappointing!

Unfortunately 220S can not support more than 4 GB total - take a look on your motherboard, you see that you have 2 RAM slots removed (empty space). If you had Mini Tower, you would have the same motherboard, but with 4 memory slots. Yes, chipset supports 8GB, but in 2GB x 4 sticks.

Sorry.

 

[Jimmmmy]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

Hello Jummmmy... I believe that will only work with 800mhz RAM. Model PC2 6400.

Can you test and reply if work ??

Since then I've changed the modules to the ones you suggest. But nothing changed!

So disappointing!

Unfortunately 220S can not support more than 4 GB total - take a look on your motherboard, you see that you have 2 RAM slots removed (empty space). If you had Mini Tower, you would have the same motherboard, but with 4 memory slots. Yes, chipset supports 8GB, but in 2GB x 4 sticks.

Sorry.

 

[Jimmmmy]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

Hello Jummmmy... I believe that will only work with 800mhz RAM. Model PC2 6400.

Can you test and reply if work ??

Since then I've changed the modules to the ones you suggest. But nothing changed!

So disappointing!

Unfortunately 220S can not support more than 4 GB total - take a look on your motherboard, you see that you have 2 RAM slots removed (empty space). If you had Mini Tower, you would have the same motherboard, but with 4 memory slots. Yes, chipset supports 8GB, but in 2GB x 4 sticks.

Sorry.

 

[Jimmmmy]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

Hello Jummmmy... I believe that will only work with 800mhz RAM. Model PC2 6400.

Can you test and reply if work ??

Since then I've changed the modules to the ones you suggest. But nothing changed!

So disappointing!

Unfortunately 220S can not support more than 4 GB total - take a look on your motherboard, you see that you have 2 RAM slots removed (empty space). If you had Mini Tower, you would have the same motherboard, but with 4 memory slots. Yes, chipset supports 8GB, but in 2GB x 4 sticks.

Sorry.

 

[Jimmmmy]

Well, I bought and install 8GB ram (2x4GB) on a Dell vostro 220s and it doesn't boot. I also have 1.3 BIOS (latest).
Don't know if it's an issue but the seller sent a 666MHz modules instead of 800MHz.

Any thought?

Hello Jummmmy... I believe that will only work with 800mhz RAM. Model PC2 6400.

Can you test and reply if work ??

Since then I've changed the modules to the ones you suggest. But nothing changed!

So disappointing!

Unfortunately 220S can not support more than 4 GB total - take a look on your motherboard, you see that you have 2 RAM slots removed (empty space). If you had Mini Tower, you would have the same motherboard, but with 4 memory slots. Yes, chipset supports 8GB, but in 2GB x 4 sticks.

Sorry.