Desktop Computer Review: KINGSTON ValueRAM Server/Workstation KVR667D2D8P5/2G 2GB 667MHz DDR2 ECC Reg with Parity CL5 DIMM Dual Rank Review

I looked and looked and looked but I couldn't find any information on backward compatibility of faster memory (which is cheaper these days) on older hardware such as my Dell PowerEdge 1800. This server is a workhorse that runs my VMWare ESXi personal infrastructure consisting of a pfsense software firewall/NAS/Windows 2008 etc.

It's a well-known fact that if you purchase memory made EXPLICITLY for your hardware (such as the memory from Crucial using their configurator) you tend to pay more for lower-speed RAM.Well, I decided that I won't stand for that.DDR2 ECC RAM is DDR2 ECC RAM and I should be able to purchase the PC5300 speed without fear of compatibility and future-proof myself with it.I didn't want to be stuck with the PC2300 RAM in case I decided to pull the RAM tomorrow and put it in another box.It is, however, important to note that even though this RAM can run at the faster speed, it doesn't do so in my server as it is using an older chipset which only supports the lower clock speed.However, at least, it can be re-utilized should the need arise.Also, at least in the PE 1800, you can only max out the server with 8GB of this RAM (4 sticks) even though there are six slots.The last two slots don't support this DIMM configuration due to technical limitations of the hardware.I bought six sticks but ended up using only four.So there you have it.This memory WORKS in the old Dell PowerEdge 1800 from 2005 which has two bad-ass single-core 64-bit Xeons. Hee haw!

I hope this helps others with same or similar hardware facing the same predicament.

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Product Description:
Standard 256M X 72 Parity 667MHz 240-pin Registered DIMM Dual Rank (SDRAM-DDR2, 1.8V, CL5, FBGA, Gold, X8)