Dell Precision 340 Upgrade Guide: RDRAM Memory, IDE Drives, CPU

Updated Oct. 9, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The Dell Precision 340 is an early-2000s Pentium 4 workstation, so it uses Rambus RDRAM memory and parallel ATA (IDE) drives. Modern DDR, SATA, M.2 and NVMe parts will not fit. This guide covers what does fit, the rules for installing it, and the gaps Dell's documents leave open.

At a glance

  • Memory: 4 RIMM sockets for PC800 RDRAM, 64 to 512 MB per module, installed in matched pairs.
  • Empty RIMM sockets must hold a CRIMM continuity module.
  • Storage: parallel ATA/IDE only. There is no SATA, M.2 or NVMe connector.
  • Maximum total memory, bay counts and maximum drive size are not stated in the documents we found.
  • Update the BIOS before adding memory.
RIMM socket (RDRAM, PC800)4 × DIMM · 800 MT/s
IDE PRI hard drive connector (parallel ATA)HDD 3.5"
4 × DIMMIDE PRI hard drive connector (parallel ATA)HDD 3.5"
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

20012003200520072009201120132015201720192021202320252027Today11 · Release · Sept. 21, 2001
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 Sept. 21, 2001 Estimate Third-party wire repost of Dell's announcement says the workstation was available to order today (Sept 21, 2001) in the Americas and Asia Pacific, with worldwide availability by early October. Dell's own press release was not seen, so the exact date may be a day or so earlier.
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM: RDRAM RIMMs in matched pairs

The Precision 340 has four RIMM sockets, arranged as two pairs: RIMM 1 and 2, and RIMM 3 and 4. It uses dual-channel Rambus RDRAM, not DDR, so DIMMs and SO-DIMMs will not fit. The modules are PC800 (800 MT/s) in 64, 128, 256 or 512 MB sizes, with a maximum of 512 MB per module. No memory is soldered to the board.

The pairing rules are strict. Both modules in a pair must have identical capacity, number of components and speed. Fill socket 1 first, the one closest to the processor. Every socket must hold either a RIMM or a CRIMM, so any empty socket needs a CRIMM. Keep your original modules together as a pair in RIMM 1/2 or RIMM 3/4. Pairing an original module with a new one may stop the computer starting properly.

ECC and non-ECC modules both work, but if you mix them in a pair, all of the memory runs as non-ECC. Dell's documents we found do not give a maximum total. Four sockets at 512 MB each would come to 2 GB, and one third-party listing says 2 GB, but check Dell's User's Guide to confirm.

Buying tips

  • Buy RIMMs in identical matched pairs and confirm they are PC800.
  • Budget for CRIMMs if you will leave any socket empty.
  • Do not buy DDR memory. It will not fit this machine.
  • Check the System Memory total in BIOS setup after installing.

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Storage: IDE drives only

The system board has an IDE PRI connector for the hard drive and an IDE SEC connector for removable-media drives such as optical drives. It also has a floppy connector. These are parallel ATA connectors, so there is no SATA, M.2 or NVMe support and no memory card slot. A modern SSD will not plug straight in.

The drive size is listed as 3.5 inches, but that is an assumption. The Precision 340 came as a small desktop and as a mini-tower, and bay counts likely differ between them. Dell's documents we found do not confirm bay numbers or thickness limits, so check which version you own before buying a drive.

Dell's documents also do not give a maximum drive capacity. Older BIOS versions on machines of this age often limited drive size, possibly to 128 GB, so update the BIOS before fitting a large drive. A SATA-to-IDE adapter or a PCI storage controller card might be a way to use newer drives, but we could not confirm that either works in this model. The PCI slots are 32-bit, 33 MHz: two in the small desktop and four in the mini-tower.

Buying tips

  • Look for a parallel ATA/IDE drive, not SATA.
  • Confirm whether you have the small desktop or the mini-tower before buying a drive or card.
  • Treat SATA adapters and PCI controller cards as untested for this model.
  • Update the BIOS first if you plan to fit a large-capacity drive.

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Download the latest BIOS for the Precision 340 from Dell support before installing new memory.
  • Check whether you have the small desktop or the mini-tower. Slot counts and bays differ.
  • Find the Dell Precision WorkStation 340 User's Guide for exact removal and installation steps and for the figures this page cannot confirm.
  • Buy memory in identical matched pairs, plus CRIMMs for any sockets you will leave empty.
  • Back up your files before you open the machine.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Copy anything important to another drive or computer before changing hardware.
  2. Update the BIOS
    Download and install the latest BIOS from Dell support before adding memory. The same habit makes sense before changing the CPU.
  3. Power off and unplug
    Shut the computer down, then unplug the power cable and any other cables.
  4. Ground yourself
    Touch bare metal on the chassis or use an anti-static strap before touching any parts.
  5. Open the case
    Follow the owner's manual for removing the cover on your version, small desktop or mini-tower.
  6. Install the part
    For memory, let any existing RIMMs cool first, since they get very hot. Fit modules in matched pairs, starting with socket 1 nearest the processor, and put a CRIMM in every empty socket. Press the securing clips with equal force at both ends. For drives and cards, follow the User's Guide for your version.
  7. Close the case and reconnect
    Refit the cover, then reconnect the cables and power.
  8. Check that the system sees the new part
    After a memory change, the computer shows a message that the amount of system memory has changed, with F1 to continue or F2 to run setup. Open setup and check the System Memory total, then run Dell Diagnostics. For a drive, check that it is detected in BIOS setup.

Good to know

  • Maximum total memory, bay counts and maximum drive capacity are not stated in the documents we found. Check Dell's User's Guide.
  • The 3.5 inch drive size is assumed, and bay counts likely differ between the small desktop and the mini-tower.
  • Older BIOS versions may limit drive capacity, possibly to 128 GB. This is unconfirmed for this model.
  • We could not confirm that SATA adapters or PCI storage controller cards work in this machine.
  • Dell's documents we found do not say which BIOS version each CPU requires, or give maximum CPU power, power supply or heatsink limits.
  • The AGP slot accepts only 1.5 V cards, and there is no ISA support.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell Precision 340 take?

Each of the four RIMM sockets takes up to 512 MB, so 2 GB is the likely ceiling. The Dell documents we found do not state a total, so confirm it in the User's Guide. Modules must be installed in matched pairs.

Does the Precision 340 use DDR memory?

No. It uses PC800 Rambus RDRAM RIMMs. DDR DIMMs and SO-DIMMs do not fit.

Can I install an SSD, SATA drive or NVMe drive?

Not directly. The only hard drive connector is parallel ATA/IDE, and there are no SATA, M.2 or NVMe connectors. An adapter or PCI controller card might work, but we could not confirm that for this model.

What is a CRIMM and do I need one?

A CRIMM is a continuity module. Every RIMM socket must hold either a RIMM or a CRIMM, so you need CRIMMs for any socket you leave empty.

Can I upgrade the CPU in a Precision 340?

The processor is socketed, not soldered. Third-party board listings show a single Socket 478 and the Intel 850E chipset, with 400 and 533 MHz front-side bus support. The listed families are Pentium 4 (Willamette and Northwood) and Celeron (Willamette-128 and Northwood-128), so a Northwood Pentium 4 on the 533 MHz bus looks like the practical ceiling. We could not find an official Dell CPU support list, or maximum power and cooling limits, so check the User's Guide. Update the BIOS before changing the CPU.

Is the Precision 340 the same as the Precision Tower 3420?

No. The Tower 3420 is a much newer machine with DDR4, M.2 NVMe and SATA. None of its specifications apply to the Precision 340.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.