RAM speed and CPU speed

[gecko]

I have a HP computer with a Pentium 4 1.6GHz CPU and 512 DDR 2100
memory. The Pentium 4 2.8 that I replaced it with has an 800 FSB. It
should benefit from more and faster memory. My mind has gone
completely blank regarding how to translate PC numbers to FSB.

How to match RAM speed figures to CPU speed/buss size figures? IOW
how high a RAM speed is practical/possible for a given CPU speed and
buss size?

Thanks

-GECKO

 

[Mike Walsh]

The RAM speed rating is approximately the clock speed times 8. DDR 2100 memory runs at 266 Mhz.; adequate for a 1.6 Ghz processor but somewhat slow for a 2.8 Ghz processor. With a 800 Mhz FSB you can use much faster memory.

 

[gecko]

The RAM speed rating is approximately the clock speed times 8. DDR 2100 memory runs at 266 Mhz.; adequate for a 1.6 Ghz processor but somewhat slow for a 2.8 Ghz processor. With a 800 Mhz FSB you can use much faster memory.

Thanks

-GECKO

 

[gecko]

The RAM speed rating is approximately the clock speed times 8. DDR 2100 memory runs at 266 Mhz.; adequate for a 1.6 Ghz processor but somewhat slow for a 2.8 Ghz processor. With a 800 Mhz FSB you can use much faster memory.

Your statement got me wondering. I ran Everest on another computer
that I have to see if it could have a bottleneck, and it shows:

CPU Type AMD Athon 64 3200+
CPU Speed 2.2GHz
CPU Multiplier 11x
Memory Bus 200MHz
System Memory 1024MB PC3200 DDR

I can't find wherein Everest reports the memory speed. Am I missing
it somehow? Are my components sufficiently matched?

Thanks

-GECKO

 

[RobV]

Your statement got me wondering. I ran Everest on another computer
that I have to see if it could have a bottleneck, and it shows:

CPU Type AMD Athon 64 3200+
CPU Speed 2.2GHz
CPU Multiplier 11x
Memory Bus 200MHz
System Memory 1024MB PC3200 DDR

I can't find wherein Everest reports the memory speed. Am I missing
it somehow? Are my components sufficiently matched?

Thanks

-GECKO

Memory Bus: 200 MHz.
System Memory: PC3200 DDR. DDR is Double Data Rate, so you would take
200 MHz X 2 = 400 MHz effective data bus speed. The bandwidth (actual
data tranfer) is 3200 MB/s.

This explains in more detail:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR_SDRAM

 

[gecko]

Check the specs on your motherboard to see what it will support. It may
have a 166 MHz clock or a 200 MHz clock (x2). The first would support PC
2700 (DDR 333), the second PC 3200 (DDR 400). The manual should tell you.

As to your second question, with limited knowledge about the system, I would
say your PC 3200 is fine with your Athlon computer. Again, check the
motherboard manufacturer's website for the specs on the board.
Good luck.
Mike

\Thanks all

-GECKO

 

[Joel]

I have a HP computer with a Pentium 4 1.6GHz CPU and 512 DDR 2100
memory. The Pentium 4 2.8 that I replaced it with has an 800 FSB. It
should benefit from more and faster memory. My mind has gone
completely blank regarding how to translate PC numbers to FSB.

How to match RAM speed figures to CPU speed/buss size figures? IOW
how high a RAM speed is practical/possible for a given CPU speed and
buss size?

Thanks

I would say toss that old system to trash can and buy a much faster system
instead of wasting $$$ on dog slow system. IOW, computer is dirt cheap
these days, and most newer mboard is using DDR2 which is cheaper than older
memory too.

Few weeks ago I was looking at the 3.xGMhz with mboard which and it costs
around $130-150 or so, and adding 8GB memory is somewhere around $60-70 (?).

 

[pheeh.zero]

I have a HP computer with a Pentium 4 1.6GHz CPU and 512 DDR 2100
memory. The Pentium 4 2.8 that I replaced it with has an 800 FSB. It
should benefit from more and faster memory. My mind has gone
completely blank regarding how to translate PC numbers to FSB.

How to match RAM speed figures to CPU speed/buss size figures?  IOW
how high a RAM speed is practical/possible for a given CPU speed and
buss size?

Thanks

-GECKO

You also might try this analyzer on your CPU.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php