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Wow, I didn't know this was possible... My every day workstation is a Dell Studio 540 from 2009 that I've upgraded to the max in every possible way but without

by EB66 8y ago

Wow, I didn't know this was possible... My every day workstation is a Dell Studio 540 from 2009 that I've upgraded to the max in every possible way but without changing the motherboard and case. The only upgrade I haven't pursued (because I thought it was impossible) is bumping up the RAM beyond 8GB. If anyone has experience bumping 2009 era Dell motherboards (in particular the M017G motherboard) beyond 8GB RAM and has any tips to offer, please let me know! If I could bump up the RAM to 16GB, I might be able to keep using my beloved desktop for another 10 years :)

justinclift 8y ago
As a first step, check your CPU model on ark.intel.com (if it's an Intel): https://ark.intel.com https://ark.intel.com In theory (!) for older generation chips like yours and the one in the article, the maximum listed there (if present) will be correct. For example, for the i5-750 listed in the article it shows 16GB maximum, which the article author was then able to make work: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/42915/intel-core-i5-750-processor-8m-cache-2-66-ghz.html https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/42915/i... If yours shows 16GB as well, you may be in luck. :)
nisa 8y ago
looks like it's a Intel G45 chipset - so 16gb should work, however you need to be careful when selecting memory - there might be max size on the chips on memory module (so there are memory modules with 8gb with 8x1gb chips or some with 2x2gb etc.pp. - we had some trouble updating older dells with the newer modules with less chips. It's called low density I think.
EB66 7y ago
I just thought I'd provide a follow-up on this in case someone else with a Dell Studio 540 or Intel G45 chipset tries to upgrade to 16GB memory. It works! I ordered 4 x 4GB 2Rx8 PC2-6400U DDR2-800Mhz 240PIN UDIMM from a business on eBay called Memory Masters and it worked perfectly. No hackery required. My desktop from 2009 now runs with 16GB RAM and will be hopefully be in use for another 10 years :)

by EB66 8y ago

justinclift 8y ago

As a first step, check your CPU model on ark.intel.com (if it's an Intel): https://ark.intel.com https://ark.intel.com In theory (!) for older generation chips like yours and the one in the article, the maximum listed there (if present) will be correct. For example, for the i5-750 listed in the article it shows 16GB maximum, which the article author was then able to make work: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/42915/intel-core-i5-750-processor-8m-cache-2-66-ghz.html https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/42915/i... If yours shows 16GB as well, you may be in luck. :)

nisa 8y ago

looks like it's a Intel G45 chipset - so 16gb should work, however you need to be careful when selecting memory - there might be max size on the chips on memory module (so there are memory modules with 8gb with 8x1gb chips or some with 2x2gb etc.pp. - we had some trouble updating older dells with the newer modules with less chips. It's called low density I think.

EB66 7y ago

I just thought I'd provide a follow-up on this in case someone else with a Dell Studio 540 or Intel G45 chipset tries to upgrade to 16GB memory. It works! I ordered 4 x 4GB 2Rx8 PC2-6400U DDR2-800Mhz 240PIN UDIMM from a business on eBay called Memory Masters and it worked perfectly. No hackery required. My desktop from 2009 now runs with 16GB RAM and will be hopefully be in use for another 10 years :)