Core2 and Memory

Slutmonkey57b

Stupid question:
Conroe runs at 1066FSB, but most of the benchmarks and hardware sites are running bundles of 800mhz memory. Are they just expecting to get a 200/300 mhz overclock out of the memory, or am I missing something here? What if you're not planning to overclock, shouldn't you be buying 1066 memory?

DemonOfTheFall

The FSB is 266x4 = 1066
The RAM uses a 2x multiplier, so if you want to run synchronous with the bus all you need is 533 RAM.

When they're using 800 mhz RAM they're hoping that they'll be able to get the FSB up to 400mhz to get the processor running nice and fast and keep the RAM in spec aswell

^whitey^

OK, so im a little confused ... From a point of view of someone who has no interest in overclocking is it still worth while getting 800Mhz DDR2

DemonOfTheFall

You can still use a divider to run the ram at the right speed.

EG standard FSB = 266
you want to run RAM = 400

You use a 2:3 divider to do so.

The reality is that it's pointless though. Good RAM increases the cost by FAR more than it increases the speed of your PC. Like, you're talking about paying 1.5 times as much for 5-10% performance increase tops.

If you have no overclocking interest just go for some Corsair Value / TwinMOS value / *insert reputable brand here* Value DDR-533. You'll save a lot of bucks and lose no performance

^whitey^

What I was looking at before I read this post was *insert reputable brand here* Value DDR-800

Is it still worth my while or does the same argument hold.

Or maybe I'm just looking into this to much

DemonOfTheFall

How much do you save by dropping it to DDR-533 ? I don't think using a divider to run the RAM at 800 with a 533 FSB will gain you anything.

You should probably go for the DDR-800 incase you ever get an itch for some more performance and decide to try overclocking. For a couple of euro now it might gain you a lot of performance in the future I guess.

^whitey^

Yea true. Think I'll go with DDR800 don't plan on upgrading anytime soon I may overclock in the future.

Cheers for the advice

Michael Collins

But just remember that if you're not planning to overclock, synchronous RAM i.e. 533 MHz is the best, as some of the higher speed stuff can actually be slower when running asynchronously.

DemonOfTheFall

Michael Collins wrote:

But just remember that if you're not planning to overclock, synchronous RAM i.e. 533 MHz is the best, as some of the higher speed stuff can actually be slower when running asynchronously.

AFAIK, this was only the case with the Athlon XP and other platforms from around that time ?

either way, even if he buys DDR-800 it will be running at DDR-533 unless dividers are set.