VOGONS


SPD reprogrammer

Topic actions

First post, by swaaye

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

I've been frustrated over my freebie Dell 4600's RAM restrictions. It will only run PC3200 speed with CAS 3 RAM. If I mix CAS 2.5 with 3, it drops to PC2700. Stupidity.

So I was thinking of buying some new RAM but really didn't want to because I'm swimming in RAM already. Then I remembered that I'd read about SPD reprogramming. You can change what the DIMMs report they support.

Thaiphoon Burner. 😁
http://www.softnology.biz/

I reprogrammed 2x512 and 2x256 to 3-3-3-8 and now they all work at PC3200 in the quirky Dell. Makes me joyous.

Reply 1 of 3, by sliderider

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++
swaaye wrote:
I've been frustrated over my freebie Dell 4600's RAM restrictions. It will only run PC3200 speed with CAS 3 RAM. If I mix CAS 2. […]
Show full quote

I've been frustrated over my freebie Dell 4600's RAM restrictions. It will only run PC3200 speed with CAS 3 RAM. If I mix CAS 2.5 with 3, it drops to PC2700. Stupidity.

So I was thinking of buying some new RAM but really didn't want to because I'm swimming in RAM already. Then I remembered that I'd read about SPD reprogramming. You can change what the DIMMs report they support.

Thaiphoon Burner. 😁
http://www.softnology.biz/

I reprogrammed 2x512 and 2x256 to 3-3-3-8 and now they all work at PC3200 in the quirky Dell. Makes me joyous.

Wait. Let me see if I got this right. you're reprogramming your RAM to run faster than the manufacturer intended without overclocking it?

Reply 2 of 3, by swaaye

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Actually I'm setting the two 256MB DIMMs to run at less agressive timings than they came at. The Dell box only likes CAS 3 @ 200 MHz (PC3200).

Yes I could go the other way and reprogram them all for 2-2-2-5 or something. Whatever you want. I'm sure that wouldn't work very well with these DIMMs though.

This is really only useful for dumb OEM mobos that have no BIOS mem options. Notebooks come to mind too.

Reply 3 of 3, by MURLON

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

swaaye, thanks for the info! I have just purchased Thaiphoon Burner and flashed my PC100 stick with PC125 SPD. Works great so far! Nice tool!