Crucial Technology Ballistix 2GB PC2-6400

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Do not buy these if you have a P-35 chipset motherboard. Despite the fact that they are listed as compatible on their website Ballistix memory will die if you use it with a P-35 chipset.

Best thing to do is call Crucial directly and verify if this memory will work with my motherboard as their website has inaccurate information.

Gassyjoe, you really hate Crucial, eh?

Anyway, I bought 4x1GB of these when they were $10/set after rebate and GCO. They do have a problem sitting correctly in the motherboard, but once they seat properly they run fine. I ran a memory check on them and didn't get any errors. However, because they don't seat properly without having to adjust them a few times I think I am going to get an RMA issued for them and try another batch.

I just bought an Inspiron 530. I have no idea if it uses a P-35 chipset motherboard. Should I pick up these ballistix to upgrade to 4GB?

I have 4-1GB sticks in my overclocked GA-P35-DS3L and they have worked great.

#3, unless you have a reason to upgrade to 4GB, then no. If you are running a 32-bit system, you won't reap the benefits of 4GB of RAM. And, honestly, 2GB is really more than ever going to need. If you are running programs that actually need more, then you probably wouldn't have bought a Dell to begin with.

This is a pretty good deal, but a better deal would be to save your money and stick with what you have.

#5, thanks for your opinion...although I am surprised that you don't think a $25 investment is worthwhile to double the memory.

and I found out that the 530 is equipped with a FoxConn G33m03 motherboard.

#3, I think they're using the G33 chipset, which has the integrated graphics, but is of the same family as the P35. The main difference is the update to FSB bringing in support for 1333Mhz, I believe.

Your 530 may not even be using the max FSB, depending on CPU speed, but these chips are 800's, therefore I think they'd be a poor choice if your CPU is running a higher FSB speed. If you're at 800 right now, then they'd probably work.

Edit: Slow typer, I guess, #6 got there first!

"...although I am surprised that you don't think a $25 investment is worthwhile to double the memory."

I agree. Not that long ago I paid $190 for 2GB of DDR2 that wasn't as fast or nice as this stuff.

#7, my 530 has a Q6600 with a 1066mhz FSB. The stock 2GB RAM is only 667mhz, but I have two systems, so I was thinking I'd take the two stock sticks from one and put them in the second system...and put 4 of these ballistix 800mhz sticks in the first system.

#2 It's not that I hate crucial, I just hate the fact that there RAM seems to have turned to crap. I use to buy them exclusively but after the problems I've had with their Ballistix memory I don't trust their quality anymore. The info I posted about them being incompatible with P-35 chipsets comes straight from one of their head tech support reps. Supposedly they know that their memory will burn out on P-35 motherboards but they don't seem to be in any hurry to update their website to show this. I just thought it would be helpful to warn people of potential issues they might have prior to buying this memory.

#6, $25 isn't a bad deal to double your memory, but the fact of the matter is doubling the memory isn't really going to be all that beneficial to you so then it really becomes a waste of $25 instead of an investment of $25. You do what you got to do, but I just thought I'd let you know that there are very few people out there that can actually benefit from more than 1GB of memory, let alone 2GB which you already have.

#10, I understand and that was nice of you to post that information. I was just giving you a hard time because you and I got into it on a previous Crucial post. It sucks that Crucial seems to have been slacking as of late with their quality control. The nice thing is they seem to honor their lifetime warranty. Hopefully the next batch of memory I get won't give me the same problems as this first batch.

#11, thanks for the detailed response. I guess I've just been caught up in all the talk about how Vista is a memory hog and the more memory you throw at it the better.

#12,9,6,3: Honestly, you're probably not going to notice the difference between 667 and 800, so if you're buying something new, I'd get the FSB to match your 6600 and bypass these sticks.

Vista will be happy(er) with the 3.5GB you'll see after you put 4GB in. 2GB is the minimum I'll run Vista with, but if you tweak it properly (and turn off all the visual effects) it will work just fine. If you want the Aero interface, then the integrated graphics on the 530 probably hurts anyway. I'd just slim Vista down, max the memory (which is shared with video on the 530, I think) and be done with it.

Oh, and be sure to match the voltages, as I recall some of the FoxConn/Intel OEM boards are picky. You can just check the Dell Support page for your computer and find the specs there.

#13, thanks. I'm also upgrading the integrated graphics to an 8800GT or a 4850. I do need to check to see whether the bios in the 530 can be adjusted to run 2.2v RAM, as the stock is 8

#14, I don't have a 530 in front of me to check, but I'm sure Dell doesn't allow any voltage tweaking of any kind. I've seen some custom BIOS's out there for Dell's in the past, but haven't looked for one for the 530. I'd stay away from that potential nightmare and just get memory that meets the voltage spec.

Edit: A DATA makes a 1.8V DDR2 800 set and it's pretty cheap (though not this cheap) at Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211272
They've got some other voltages, too.

As far as a graphics card, either one of those choices might cause you to need to upgrade the power supply. The one you have should also be listed in the build specs on Dell Support. Good luck.

#15, thanks. I'll check out that A DATA RAM.

From what I've read the Q6600 comes with a 375w power supply. That might be pushing it with a 8800GT (105w under load) or the 4850 (~125w).

This is dirt cheap. I am going to get one pair.

Verify the 1.8V is the right voltage, though!

375 might be OK for the 8800GT if you're running a single drive and DVD, but I'd upgrade to a quality PSU for the 4850. I'd also check to make sure a standard PSU fits the 530 case, I don't know that one.

A DATA is a good brand, and they're on a lot of motherboard vendor lists. I've used many, many of their sets with no complaints. They do NOT overclock well.

THIS RAM OPERATES FINE ON THE P35 CHIPSET..... I BOTH OWN AND BUILD RIGS WITH GIGAGYTE, ABIT AND ASUS BOARDS. I'M RUNNING A 2GB KIT ON AN IP35 PRO BOARD FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. IN FACT, THESE ARE RUNNING @ 1066MHZ (266MHZ OVER SPECS) FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS, 100% MEMTEST, ORTHOS STABLE. #1, I SUGGEST YOU RMA THE BOARD OR LEARN TO SET VOLTAGES AND TIMINGS CORRECTLY BEFORE GIVING FALSIFIED INFORMATION. SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS.... DIDN'T REALIZE THEY WERE ON UNTIL I LOOKED UP AFTER THIS WAS TYPED.

Note: Personally verified they also work 100% stable on G31/33, X38/48 chipsets as well as P35/45.

Also... Try Flashing the bios to an upgraded version as your more than likely using firmware from 2006! BTW, Which P35 are you speaking of so I can SUTFU?

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