Rambus for P4T533-C (Where??)

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

AGP

2009-07-29 04:04:33 UTC

Im kind of in a bind and need to buy some rambus memory within the next
couple days. I have an ASUS P4T533-C motherboard with a P4-2.4Ghz processor,
Northwood, 533MHz CPU FSB. From what I have read, I have to be real careful
about what type of ram i buy for this mobo/cpu combo. I'm looking for 1GB or
more depending on the price. Anyway, does anyone know of compatible ram for
this combo, probably PC800, and where i may find it that is reasonable in
price. I realize its old tech but I still want to save a few bucks.

tia
AGP

Barry Watzman

2009-07-29 18:08:47 UTC

Permalink

The only practical source for this is used memory on E-Bay.

Am I correct that you have the version of the P4T533 that uses 184-pin,
16-bit RDRAM (there was another version that used 232-pin 32-bit RDRAM)?

If so your board will have four sockets, RDRAM ***MUST*** be installed
on this board in matched pairs, and if you only install 2 modules, the
empty 2 sockets must have C-RIMMs (continuity RIMMs; terminator boards)
installed in the empty sockets (if you use 4 modules, they have to exist
as two pairs that are matched within a pair, but the two pairs do not
have to be the same size).

Verify that your motherboard has an Intel 850-e chipset (vs. the "plain
old" 850 chipset; I think it does). If so, for this board, ideally, you
want PC1066 RDRAM with a 32 nSec speed (PC800 will work, but will slow
the system and MAY even require you to operate the CPU at a 400MHz FSB
(although I don't think so, but the memory bus will be running
asynchronously unless you use PC1066 RDRAM)). You are looking for four
256MB modules (again, ideally, PC1066) or at least two 512MB modules
(VERY hard to find, but they do exist).

I guess I should point out that for what you will possibly have to pay
for this memory, you MIGHT be able to buy a new motherboard, memory AND
CPU. It may not be possible to "save a few bucks". It really was great
stuff (THE BEST, in fact) in it's day .... but it's day was about 7
years ago. IF you do go this route, I'd look for a 3.06GHz 533MHz FSB
socket 478 Pentium 4. That was the fastest CPU that board could take,
and it had hyperthreading. With 1-2 gigs of memory and that CPU, it's
performance actually would still be reasonable (even by today's
standards) but that particular CPU is hard to find and expensive.

Post by AGP
Im kind of in a bind and need to buy some rambus memory within the next
couple days. I have an ASUS P4T533-C motherboard with a P4-2.4Ghz processor,
Northwood, 533MHz CPU FSB. From what I have read, I have to be real careful
about what type of ram i buy for this mobo/cpu combo. I'm looking for 1GB or
more depending on the price. Anyway, does anyone know of compatible ram for
this combo, probably PC800, and where i may find it that is reasonable in
price. I realize its old tech but I still want to save a few bucks.
tia
AGP

DIOS

2009-07-29 18:22:00 UTC

Permalink

Post by Barry Watzman
The only practical source for this is used memory on E-Bay.
Am I correct that you have the version of the P4T533 that uses 184-pin,
16-bit RDRAM (there was another version that used 232-pin 32-bit RDRAM)?
If so your board will have four sockets, RDRAM ***MUST*** be installed
on this board in matched pairs, and if you only install 2 modules, the
empty 2 sockets must have C-RIMMs (continuity RIMMs; terminator boards)
installed in the empty sockets (if you use 4 modules, they have to exist
as two pairs that are matched within a pair, but the two pairs do not
have to be the same size).
Verify that your motherboard has an Intel 850-e chipset (vs. the "plain
old" 850 chipset; I think it does). If so, for this board, ideally, you
want PC1066 RDRAM with a 32 nSec speed (PC800 will work, but will slow
the system and MAY even require you to operate the CPU at a 400MHz FSB
(although I don't think so, but the memory bus will be running
asynchronously unless you use PC1066 RDRAM)). You are looking for four
256MB modules (again, ideally, PC1066) or at least two 512MB modules
(VERY hard to find, but they do exist).
I guess I should point out that for what you will possibly have to pay
for this memory, you MIGHT be able to buy a new motherboard, memory AND
CPU. It may not be possible to "save a few bucks". It really was great
stuff (THE BEST, in fact) in it's day .... but it's day was about 7
years ago. IF you do go this route, I'd look for a 3.06GHz 533MHz FSB
socket 478 Pentium 4. That was the fastest CPU that board could take,
and it had hyperthreading. With 1-2 gigs of memory and that CPU, it's
performance actually would still be reasonable (even by today's
standards) but that particular CPU is hard to find and expensive.

Thanks for the help. Yeah I checked the PC with an Intel tool and CPU-
Z and both indicate the CPU running at 533Mhz FSB. I cant remember
what type of RAM is in there right now but its 512MB. I'll open the
case tonight. Reason I ask for suggestions is that reading the mobo
manual this board is finicky about what RAM you put in it. There are
exceptions and some memory states it will only run in 400Mhz FSB. I
have been contemplating just getting another mobo, cpu, and memory
that may be as cheap as 1GB of Rambus (about $55 to $100 on ebay).
Unfortunate but I already bought a new AGP video card for this PC so
am kind of stuck using it. I guess I can always return it and get a
newer mobo, cpu, memory, and PCI express video card. Any suggestions
let me know.

Thanks AGP

Bob Knowlden

2009-07-29 21:04:07 UTC

Permalink

Why not get the manual?

http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?model=P4T533-C&os=17&SLanguage=en-us

(Warning: the Asus support site isn't running smoothly at the moment.)

I don't see any statement requiring RIMMs to be installed in pairs on this
board. However, it has an 850E chipset, supporting dual-channel. Pairs may
be a good idea, even if they are not mandatory.

It uses the 184 pin RIMMs, and can use ECC. It supports 2GB of PC800, or
1.5GB of PC1066.

New Rambus memory is scarce, but it's available:

http://www.thechipmerchant.com/items.asp?CartId={C909AADE-C422-49EVEREST22-B55F-4F4192C03545}&Cc=RAMRDRAM800&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=

2GB of non-ECC lists for over $1200. I've never bought RAM on eBay, but it
might be worth the risk if the prices are much lower. (Feel lucky?)

I suggest a more significant upgrade. You could buy an Asus P6T (LGA1366)
mainboard new for $240 (www.newegg.com), a Core I7 920 for $280, and 6 GB (3
X 2GB) of DDR3 1600 for around $100. You'd need a new PCI-E graphics card
as well (you can get an ATI Radeon HD4870 for less than $130), and a new PSU
($100 or so). You may as well get a third-party CPU cooler for the I7 920,
as any self-respecting amateur system builder would want to overclock it .
As your old P4T533-C had no SATA ports, and the P6T has only one (supporting
2 devices), you may wish to add a SATA hard drive (approx. $100 for a 1TB
7200 RPM drive). By the time you're done, you'll probably have spent about
$1200, but built an up-to-date system that would be rather more capable than
the P4/Rambus relic. You can spend less money on a Core2 Quad or even a Core
2 Duo. AMD based systems are probably good price/performance deals, but I
haven't built once since the Socket 939 (Athlon X2) days.

That's not to denigrate Rambus memory. At times it was the performance
leader. It was never as bad as those taking the negative side in the flame
wars of the early 21st century would have had you believe. (Have the scars
healed yet, Barry?)
(snip)

Post by DIOS
Thanks for the help. Yeah I checked the PC with an Intel tool and CPU-
Z and both indicate the CPU running at 533Mhz FSB. I cant remember
what type of RAM is in there right now but its 512MB. I'll open the
case tonight. Reason I ask for suggestions is that reading the mobo
manual this board is finicky about what RAM you put in it. There are
exceptions and some memory states it will only run in 400Mhz FSB. I
have been contemplating just getting another mobo, cpu, and memory
that may be as cheap as 1GB of Rambus (about $55 to $100 on ebay).
Unfortunate but I already bought a new AGP video card for this PC so
am kind of stuck using it. I guess I can always return it and get a
newer mobo, cpu, memory, and PCI express video card. Any suggestions
let me know.
Thanks AGP

DIOS

2009-07-29 23:25:29 UTC

Permalink

Post by Bob Knowlden
Why not get the manual?
http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?model=P4T533-C&os=17&S...
(Warning: the Asus support site isn't running smoothly at the moment.)
I don't see any statement requiring RIMMs to be installed in pairs on this
board. However, it has an 850E chipset, supporting dual-channel. Pairs may
be a good idea, even if they are not mandatory.
It uses the 184 pin RIMMs, and can use ECC. It supports 2GB of PC800, or
1.5GB of PC1066.
http://www.thechipmerchant.com/items.asp?CartId={C909AADE-C422-49EVEREST22-B55F-4F4192C03545}&Cc=RAMRDRAM800&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=
2GB of non-ECC lists for over $1200. I've never bought RAM on eBay, but it
might be worth the risk if the prices are much lower. (Feel lucky?)
I suggest a more significant upgrade. You could buy an Asus P6T (LGA1366)
mainboard new for $240 (www.newegg.com), a Core I7 920 for $280, and 6 GB (3
X 2GB) of DDR3 1600 for around $100. You'd need a new PCI-E graphics card
as well (you can get an ATI Radeon HD4870 for less than $130), and a new PSU
($100 or so). You may as well get a third-party CPU cooler for the I7 920,
as any self-respecting amateur system builder would want to overclock it .
As your old P4T533-C had no SATA ports, and the P6T has only one (supporting
2 devices), you may wish to add a SATA hard drive (approx. $100 for a 1TB
7200 RPM drive). By the time you're done, you'll probably have spent about
$1200, but built an up-to-date system that would be rather more capable than
the P4/Rambus relic. You can spend less money on a Core2 Quad or even a Core
2 Duo. AMD based systems are probably good price/performance deals, but I
haven't built once since the Socket 939 (Athlon X2) days.
That's not to denigrate Rambus memory. At times it was the performance
leader. It was never as bad as those taking the negative side in the flame
wars of the early 21st century would have had you believe. (Have the scars
healed yet, Barry?)
(snip)

I have a copy of the manual. The chapters have some notes on what can
be used and what can't and many memory items on ebay strictly say that
it only works on 400Mhz fsb. This system was top line when I put it
together and should have bought more memory back then. I just want to
do a minor upgrade with memory and video card not much more and the
$1200 upgrade you suggest, although a logical upgrade, is way beyond
my budget. i have another gaming machine I use for current games. This
PC Im just trying to do some minor upgrades that will make it run just
a bit better. Wasn't planning on spending more than about $150. The
memory is available on ebay but like I said I remember back when I put
together the machine the board was very finicky about what type of
rambus it took and even some brands were not recommended. Just getting
PC800 doesn't cut it for this board, you really have to make sure that
its compatible and ASUS doesn't update their compatibility charts
since its an older board. but i do know that it takes modules in
pairs. anyway, i'll look on ebay and take a chance on some items I
saw.

AGP

Bob Knowlden

2009-07-30 01:21:20 UTC

Permalink

Good luck with the eBay memory. (No sarcasm intended.)

I guess that I missed your point: you know basically what you need, but were
hoping for a source of RDRAM that is known to be compatible with the
P4T533-C. Sorry for the misunderstanding, and the generic advice.

My latest system uses a P6T Deluxe. I've managed to get six 2GB DDR3 1600
DIMMs to work in it at the 1600 MHz frequency, but I had to manually adjust
voltages and relax timings a little. I'm not familiar with RDRAM, but I'd be
pleasantly surprised if the P4T533-C was as flexible.

"DIOS" <***@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1ef37e2a-5e13-4279-8fea-***@e27g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
(snip)

Post by DIOS
I have a copy of the manual. The chapters have some notes on what can
be used and what can't and many memory items on ebay strictly say that
it only works on 400Mhz fsb. This system was top line when I put it
together and should have bought more memory back then. I just want to
do a minor upgrade with memory and video card not much more and the
$1200 upgrade you suggest, although a logical upgrade, is way beyond
my budget. i have another gaming machine I use for current games. This
PC Im just trying to do some minor upgrades that will make it run just
a bit better. Wasn't planning on spending more than about $150. The
memory is available on ebay but like I said I remember back when I put
together the machine the board was very finicky about what type of
rambus it took and even some brands were not recommended. Just getting
PC800 doesn't cut it for this board, you really have to make sure that
its compatible and ASUS doesn't update their compatibility charts
since its an older board. but i do know that it takes modules in
pairs. anyway, i'll look on ebay and take a chance on some items I
saw.
AGP

AGP

2009-07-30 02:42:24 UTC

Permalink

no problem.
like you said i was hoping that someone out there with the same config had
suggestions or experience on what defintely works. but no harm done. i took
a stcik out and i was surprised that its actuallly PC1066. I completely
forgot I bought that type. Anyway if i were to go the PC1066 route Im
limited to a total of 1.5GB in the system..

AGP

Post by Bob Knowlden
Good luck with the eBay memory. (No sarcasm intended.)
I guess that I missed your point: you know basically what you need, but
were hoping for a source of RDRAM that is known to be compatible with the
P4T533-C. Sorry for the misunderstanding, and the generic advice.
My latest system uses a P6T Deluxe. I've managed to get six 2GB DDR3 1600
DIMMs to work in it at the 1600 MHz frequency, but I had to manually
adjust voltages and relax timings a little. I'm not familiar with RDRAM,
but I'd be pleasantly surprised if the P4T533-C was as flexible.
(snip)