Compaq Proliant 800 server memory: What kind to buy?

[Mateo1041]

Hi everyone,

I've been looking to upgrade the memory on our NetWare 6 server and had a few questions on what/where to buy it. I've check at places like Milwaukee PC and CompUSA, but they only carry regular consumer memory that I've been told is not what we need for our server (they said we needed quality ECC memory according to the three sticks I brought in that we currently use).

Our server is a Compaq Proliant 800 with three of the four slots full for a total of 327MB RAM currently. I've been told by Compaq (HP) that it supports up to 1 GIG of RAM, so I'd like to purchase four 256MB sticks.

My question is this. What kind of memory should I purchase and where? I believe we currently have SDRAM 100Mhz DIMM memory that may possibly be ECC memory. Is there a way to check if something is ECC or not?

Compaq gave me the following link:

http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/S...XBUN9LHNTK0DXG5KSQ3QE0BB&SearchInc=PartNumber

However, I believe I can find something less expensive that is still quality memory. I've found things similar to the following by using Froogle.com:

http://store.yahoo.com/shophiq/256mbsdram.html

Would this be compatible?

Thanks for any help that can be offered. My main concern is purchasing memory, voiding the warranty by installing it, and then it not working and not being able to send it back.

- Matt.

 

[franklin97355]

You should be able to find manuals at the HP site that will tell you what memory the server can use. Then buy something compatable.

 

[Mateo1041]

I've checked the manual we have on hand and it says the following:

"You can expand computer memory by installing industry-standard registered SDRAM DIMMs.

Use only 32-MB, 64-MB, 128-MB, or 256-MB; 100-Mhz, registered SDRAM DIMMs."

Is registered memory the same as ECC memory? I'm assuming it is. In this case, I believe the link I gave above to

http://store.yahoo.com/shophiq/256mbsdram.html

would be just what we need (with the 100 Mhz option of registered ECC memory of course). The total of $94.95 is really surprising compared to the $200+ Compaq wanted to charge me.

Even Kingston and other more popular brands are much cheaper than going directly through Compaq.

- Matt.

 

[franklin97355]

Do a google on registered ram, I don't think it's the same as ECC which allows for error correction.

 

[micker377]

Try Crucial memory site. They can tell you what memory you need and give you a price. For home "play-around" use the cheapest you can, for a server use the best you can afford.

 

[Mateo1041]

Thanks everyone. I've gone with the Kingston option and actually gave the company a call. They found just what I needed for $50 off what Compaq was going to charge me. Their records even showed the memory I ordered is comparable and compatible with the Compaq official part number.

- Matt.