FSB Memory Ratio & Stability

  • Thread starter Thread starter KlausK
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KlausK

My system: Q6600, Intel D975XBX2 (Bad Axe 2) board & Ballistix DDR2 800
memory.

In the BIOS, the memory operating frequency is 800MHz (default). So, the FSB
mem ratio is 2:3, right? I've read somewhere that the 1:1 ratio gives the
highest degree of stability. Maybe, am I incorrect? I'm curious as to why
Intel, known for stable motherboards, chose the 2:3 ratio as the default.
Can anyone enlighten me?
 
KlausK said:
My system: Q6600, Intel D975XBX2 (Bad Axe 2) board & Ballistix DDR2 800
memory.

In the BIOS, the memory operating frequency is 800MHz (default). So, the
FSB mem ratio is 2:3, right? I've read somewhere that the 1:1 ratio gives
the highest degree of stability. Maybe, am I incorrect? I'm curious as to
why Intel, known for stable motherboards, chose the 2:3 ratio as the
default. Can anyone enlighten me?
Click to expand...

Yes, everyone sais 1:1 is the best (processor doesn't have to wait to get in
line with the memory bus).

Theoretically, this is probably true although I haven't even tried to check
this.

In the real world however:
The speed of your memory is only a fraction of the total speed you perceive.
I've tested with lower fsb, higher fsb, 1:1, 2:3 and various other
multipliers.
Memory running at 667MHZ (underclocked) versus 850 or so (overclocked)
gave me a speed improvement of less than 2% with 3d mark.
Also just 1 or 2% with other programs like cinebench (3d rendering) and
such.
Memory speed really doesn't matter much, the only thing that matters is that
your memory CAN handle the FSB (in case you are going to overclock).

As for stability, as long as the memory speed is within the specs of the
memory
chips, any fsb:mem ratio is stable.

regards,
Marcel
 
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