People,
Called my PC mfg. (Dell) hoping to beef up on RAM cheaply (I do a lot of work in digital audio multitracking…& naturally want the best performance possible out of my machine.)
They informed me that my box has two 256MB sticks of NECC (Non Error Correction Code) RDRAM; & that they didn’t mfg. NECC anymore; & that I would have to remove the two NECC sticks & replace them with ECC (Error Correction Code) sticks because the two types cannot be mixed; & they recommended two 512MB sticks, to the tune of 550 bucks.
My MoBo is an Intel 850E; & Intel says it has 4 RDRAM RIMM* Sockets; & supports PC800 RDRAM (from 128MB to 2GB.) The MCH (Memory Controller Hub) works via Integrated Dual Direct RAMBUS* technology.
I’m running SONAR XL on the Dell (8250) w/ a P4 (2.5GHz – 512 KB L2 Cache, 533 MHz FSB) & a dedicated audio drive (both drives are ATA/133.) My existing memory is 512 MB PC1066 RDRAM (this last spec…which is from my original packing list…I find interesting…because…Dell says I have PC1066 in the box now…Intel says that board supports PC800.)
So, I’m wondering:
Why can’t I mix?
If I can’t…can I just pick up another 512MB NECC stick from a reputable mfg. & throw it in the box?
What’s the difference between NECC & ECC anyway (& why does memory need error correction to begin with?)
Do I really need ECC?
What should I do?
Thanks,
mark4man
