Back to Contents Page
Memory
Dell™OptiPlex™320User'sGuide
DDR2 Memory Overview
Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations (32-bit Operating Systems Only)
Removing Memory
Installing Memory
For information on the type of memory supported by your computer, see the "Memory" section of the specifications for your computer:
l Mini Tower Computer Specifications
l Desktop Computer Specifications
DDR2 Memory Overview
If the DDR2 memory modules are not installed with the same amount of memory in each channel, the computer will continue to operate, but with a slight
reduction in performance. See the label in the corner of the module to determine the module's capacity.
Be sure to install a single memory module in DIMM1, the connector closer to the processor, before you install a module in the other connector.
The recommended memory configurations are:
l A pair of matched memory modules installed in connectors DIMM1 and DIMM2
or
l A memory module installed in connector DIMM1
Addressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations (32-bit Operating Systems Only)
This computer supports a maximum of 4 GB of memory when you use two 2-GB DIMMs. Current 32-bit operating systems, such as Microsoft®Windows®XP,
can use a maximum of 4 GB of address space; however, the amount of memory available to the operating system is less than that installed. Certain
components within the computer require address space in the 4-GB range. Any address space reserved for these components cannot be used by computer
memory.
The following components require memory address space:
l System ROM
l APICs
l Integrated PCI devices, such as network connectors
l PCI cards
l Graphics cards
l PCI Express cards (if applicable)
At start-up, the BIOS identifies the components that require address space. The BIOS dynamically calculates the amount of reserved address space required.
The BIOS then subtracts the reserved address space from 4 GB to determine the amount of usable space.
l If the total installed computer memory is less than the usable space, all installed computer memory is only available for use by the operating system.
l If the total installed computer memory is equal to or greater than the usable address space, a portion of installed memory is not available for use by
