Computer memory. Dell Precision 370.?

Question

Recently had a Dell Precision 370 given to me with no memory or HDD. So I found some old 128mb memory that fit and popped it in. I was able load the boot screen and found the following info:
Intel Pentium 4 3.4Ghz
Processor Bus Speed 800Mhz
Processor L2 Cache 2MB
Hyper Capable = YES
64 Bit Technology = YES (Intel EM64T)

Questions:

The memory was 550Mhz. Does the fact that it booted the BIOS confirm it uses 550Mhz memory or could it still take 400Mhz?
Also Does the 64 Bit Technology = YES mean I HAVE to install a 64 bit OS? Or can I choose 64 or 32?
What does Processor L2 Cache 2MB mean?
What does Processor Bus Speed 800Mhz mean...I thought the processor speed was 3.4Ghz

Thanks

Answer 1

1) any computer can more or less use any memory, it's just a question of whether the operating system will like it. It should work with 550 Mhz.

2) No you don't have to install a 64 bit OS. You could but you don't have to.

3) L2 Cache of 2MB specifies how big the cache memory is (the cache is the little bit of memory that makes very fast connections between the processor and main RAM. The more of this you have the better. 2MB is a good number.

4) Processor bus is not the same as clock speed. Bus is the speed at which the processor talks to the RAM. The faster the better. Clock speed is the 3.4 Ghz you are seeing. This refers to the speed of flow of information through the processor.

Answer 2

you probably did not element out the OS XP, Win7(32bit), Vista(32bit) - optimal available 3GB Win7(64bit), Vista (64bit) - 16GB some thing you are able to try, in case you only have both 1GB sticks in do you've 2 GB accessible yet another concept, some platforms assume all 4 slots to be finished. you are able to also try replacing the positions of the sticks on each and every slot to verify if there's a blend that does artwork or what outcomes the mixtures would have.

Answer 3

The other guy said it all! you really do need more memory though. A gig will do wonders on that machine. 2 will make it fly!