Which RAM for a 1333MHz FSB CPU?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Matt
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M

Matt

Hey guys.

I've been reading some confusing information on which DDR2 (DDR3 is way
out of my price range!) I need to buy that will support a 133MHz FSB.

The article I've just linked to above seems to suggest that if I get two
sticks of RAM, I can effectively double their speed as they will be in a
dual channel setup. Is this correct? If so, surely I only need to get 2
1GB sticks of PC2-5300 RAM (which runs at a base clock of 333MHz, and
333MHz x 2 x 2 = 1333MHz)?

Basically I could do with someone talking me through what the different
RAM standards for PC2-4200, PC2-5300, PC2-6400, PC2-8500 etc. actually
mean and what I need if I'm getting a 1333MHz FSB CPU.

Kind Regards,

Matt
 
Also, do I want to make sure I buy and install my RAM in a pair? Is this
like the really old EDO days when RAM had to be installed in pairs?

Kind Regards,

Matt
 
Matt said:
Also, do I want to make sure I buy and install my RAM in a pair? Is this
like the really old EDO days when RAM had to be installed in pairs?

Kind Regards,

Matt
Click to expand...

To take advantage of Dual Channel you need to install in pairs but you
don't HAVE to if you don't want. The PC will boot with just one stick. I
know a K9-Neo I have does.

You could buy a stick now and another (same make and model) later on but
I'd buy a pair straight away so they were a matched pair. I don't think
you couldn't guarantee they'd be a matched pair if you bought a stick
later on.
 
Matt said:
Hey guys.

I've been reading some confusing information on which DDR2 (DDR3 is
way out of my price range!) I need to buy that will support a 133MHz
FSB.
The article I've just linked to above seems to suggest that if I get
two sticks of RAM, I can effectively double their speed as they will
be in a dual channel setup. Is this correct? If so, surely I only
need to get 2 1GB sticks of PC2-5300 RAM (which runs at a base clock
of 333MHz, and 333MHz x 2 x 2 = 1333MHz)?

Basically I could do with someone talking me through what the
different RAM standards for PC2-4200, PC2-5300, PC2-6400, PC2-8500
etc. actually mean and what I need if I'm getting a 1333MHz FSB CPU.

Kind Regards,

Matt
Click to expand...

Memory speeds are, for the most part, slower than CPU FSB speeds. The
speed of the memory is set in the BIOS automatically, using the SPD chip
on the memory stick, or you can set the parameters manually.

Most memory is sold in matched pairs so it can run in "dual channel
mode", meaning that the MB can transfer 128 bits of data per memory read
cycle, as opposed to 64 bits with single channel. You get a greater
bandwidth, referring to more data transfer per memory read cycle/unit of
time.

AFAIK, DDR2 PC2-6400, which runs at 800 MHz is the fastest JEDEC (memory
manufacturer's consortium) approved memory speed. There are available
1066 MHz memory (PC2-8500), but that's the fastest supported DDR2 memory
at this time, AFAIK (there are faster speeds, but the difference in real
world speed would be negligible, especially for the increase in price).

DDR2 1066 MHz memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134218
DDR2 800 MHz memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590
Memory in general, with other boards, etc.:
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=147&name=Desktop-Memory
PC2-5300 runs at 667 MHz, etc. for the lower speed, but you probably
would not want to go that low.

There are faster DDR2 (greater than DDR2 1066 MHz) memory available, but
the price jumps way up as mentioned.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313009

The next big thing is out already, which is DDR3 memory and 1333 MHz
speeds are available, and go up from there. Quite expensive, though,
and you would need a MB that can use DDR3.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231134

If you have the money, get DDR2 1066 MHz; if you're on a budget, DDR2
800 MHz memory is rediculously low at this time and can usually be
overclocked to some extent:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

I have the "slower" (5-5-5-12) version of the Corsair memory running at
850 MHz now. Also, note that the above (4-4-4-12) memory requires 2.1V.
If you go with this (or another brand that requires extra voltage), make
sure you get a MB that can raise the memory voltage. Asus MBs are good
for having available voltage and other settings flexibility.
 
Most memory is sold in matched pairs so it can run in "dual channel
mode", meaning that the MB can transfer 128 bits of data per memory read
cycle, as opposed to 64 bits with single channel. You get a greater
bandwidth, referring to more data transfer per memory read cycle/unit of
time.
Click to expand...

So to match a 1333MHz FSB, all I need to do is get two sticks of 667MHz RAM?

Kind Regards,

Matt
 
Matt said:
So to match a 1333MHz FSB, all I need to do is get two sticks of
667MHz RAM?
Kind Regards,

Matt
Click to expand...

Wow, I guess I didn't explain that very well. The system grabs 64 bits
from each stick of memory. If the MB chipset can use Dual Channel, then
it can get 64 bits from each of two sticks of memory at the same time,
totaling 128 bits with two modules of matched pair memory. That's what
the DDR stands for when talking about memory: Double Data Rate. DDR2 is
the second version of DDR memory and the newest is DDR3 None are
compatible with the other(s). There is no such thing as "matching" a
CPU FSB with any particular speed memory. A matched pair of memory
modules are closely electrically/speed grade, etc. matched, whatever the
speed of the memory.

If you have a MB with a 1333 MHz FSB CPU installed, you can use any
speed memory you like, up to the max the motherboard can run. The max
speed memory is determined by the motherboard. My Asus P5B-Plus
supports up to 1066 MHz FSB CPU, but the max memory speed is 800 MHz
(PC2-6400). I could use 667 MHz memory, or even slower, but since I
want the fastest performance I can get from my MB, I used the max speed
memory, which is 800 MHz. As mentioned, it's also very inexpensive at
this time (even 1066 MHz memory).

You should buy the fastest memory that can work in the motherboard you
have, or plan to get, that you can afford. The faster the memory buss
speed, the faster the data gets to/from the CPU.

What motherboard do you have/are planning to get?
 
Somewhere on teh intarweb "RobV" typed:
Wow, I guess I didn't explain that very well.
Click to expand...

Nah, you explained it perfectly. I think that Rob only heard the "whoosh" as
it went over his head.

Rob. Buy a pair of DDR2-800 1GB sticks.
 
~misfit~ said:
Somewhere on teh intarweb "RobV" typed:

Nah, you explained it perfectly. I think that Rob only heard the
"whoosh" as it went over his head.

Rob. Buy a pair of DDR2-800 1GB sticks.
Click to expand...

[snip]

I already have a pair of 1 GB sticks of DDR2 RAM. Are you perhaps
directing your comment to Matt, whom I've been trying to help understand
memory?

BTW, I agree with your recommendation. ;-)
 
Give I want to be able to upgrade to a 45nm CPU later on, a motherboard
with the X38 chipset such as :
Click to expand...


Or a P35 chipset, as I've just read they support 45nm CPU's as well

Kind regards,

Matt
 
Somewhere on teh intarweb "RobV" typed:
~misfit~ said:
Somewhere on teh intarweb "RobV" typed:

Nah, you explained it perfectly. I think that Rob only heard the
"whoosh" as it went over his head.

Rob. Buy a pair of DDR2-800 1GB sticks.
Click to expand...

[snip]

I already have a pair of 1 GB sticks of DDR2 RAM. Are you perhaps
directing your comment to Matt, whom I've been trying to help
understand memory?
Click to expand...

Yes. Sorry.
BTW, I agree with your recommendation. ;-)
Click to expand...

It's a no-brainer really. I got a pair of mid-range 1GB Transcend DDR2800
(at 1.8V, I dislike "enthusiast" products which *have* to be over-volted)
sticks with a life-time warranty for considerably less than I paid for a
single 1GB DDR(1) module last year. They're running just fine in
dual-channel mode (P35), synchronously with the CPU FSB in this machine at
413MHz (DDR826, FSB1,653) and passed overnight testing with Memtest+ at
450MHz.
 
Matt said:
Also, do I want to make sure I buy and install my RAM in a pair? Is this
like the really old EDO days when RAM had to be installed in pairs?

Kind Regards,

Matt
Click to expand...

If you know what motherboard you want, get the online manual before you bye
the motherboard. And see what ram it recommends can't go wrong that way.
 
~misfit~ wrote:

[snip]
It's a no-brainer really. I got a pair of mid-range 1GB Transcend
DDR2800 (at 1.8V, I dislike "enthusiast" products which *have* to be
over-volted) sticks with a life-time warranty for considerably less
than I paid for a single 1GB DDR(1) module last year. They're running
just fine in dual-channel mode (P35), synchronously with the CPU FSB
in this machine at 413MHz (DDR826, FSB1,653) and passed overnight
testing with Memtest+ at 450MHz.
Click to expand...

What motherbaoard do you have?
 
Somewhere on teh intarweb "RobV" typed:
~misfit~ wrote:

[snip]
It's a no-brainer really. I got a pair of mid-range 1GB Transcend
DDR2800 (at 1.8V, I dislike "enthusiast" products which *have* to be
over-volted) sticks with a life-time warranty for considerably less
than I paid for a single 1GB DDR(1) module last year. They're running
just fine in dual-channel mode (P35), synchronously with the CPU FSB
in this machine at 413MHz (DDR826, FSB1,653) and passed overnight
testing with Memtest+ at 450MHz.
Click to expand...

What motherbaoard do you have?
Click to expand...

Asus P5K-E WiFi-AP.

Running my E4500 (2.2GHz stock) at 3.3GHz easilly, on air, using a Tt Mini
Typhoon, max temps under 100% load in high 50's (ambient +25°C). Nice and
quiet too.
 
~misfit~ said:
Somewhere on teh intarweb "RobV" typed:
~misfit~ wrote:

[snip]
BTW, I agree with your recommendation. ;-)

It's a no-brainer really. I got a pair of mid-range 1GB Transcend
DDR2800 (at 1.8V, I dislike "enthusiast" products which *have* to be
over-volted) sticks with a life-time warranty for considerably less
than I paid for a single 1GB DDR(1) module last year. They're
running just fine in dual-channel mode (P35), synchronously with
the CPU FSB in this machine at 413MHz (DDR826, FSB1,653) and passed
overnight testing with Memtest+ at 450MHz.
Click to expand...

What motherbaoard do you have?
Click to expand...

Asus P5K-E WiFi-AP.

Running my E4500 (2.2GHz stock) at 3.3GHz easilly, on air, using a Tt
Mini Typhoon, max temps under 100% load in high 50's (ambient +25°C).
Nice and quiet too.
Click to expand...

Sweet. I got onto the Intel E6600 train before the P35/X38 came out.
Now, I wish I would have waited a bit longer. However, the P5B-Plus
(P965) has all I need (for now). The E6600 is running at 3 GHz with a
1333 MHz FSB and 800 MHz memory. Using the stock heatsink/fan and the
CPU temps with 100% load are 55C to 58C using a Core Temp program.

I know the CPU and the memory can go higher, but I need better cooling
than the stock heatsink. Perhaps I'll take a look at the Mini Typhoon.
;-)
 
Your reasoning is faulty. You misunderstood your article. The fact of the
matter is that only DDR3 RAM sticks are available at this time in 1333 MHz
designs. The fastest DDR2 RAM is PC8500, which runs at 1066 MHz. If you
have to use DDR2 RAM then it will not be running at the same speed as your
CPU.
 
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