Matching CPU with Memory

S

SquiggDoggs

New Member
Q1: How would you go about matching the correct RAM with you processor...im either getting a P4 3.4GHz or P4 3.6GHz with 800MHz FSB...what RAM should I buy...I have the ASUS P5ND2 SLI (non deluxe) board...I was reading that if I had say a 3.4GHz P4 at 800MHz FSB that my system clock is 200MHz...and a match would be DDR2 400MHz cause the DDR2 has a clock of 200MHz and this matched with the CPU clock...let me know if im on the correct track

Q2: Does HP technology, dual channel, or having two RAM sticks change anything

Thanks for your help
 
Any reason you aren't going with some newer hardware?

To answer your questions:
1. DDR2-400 would be a 1:1 match, and usually that's the best way to go. Some processors perform a little better if you have faster RAM but with a P4 I don't know if it will make a lot of difference because there is a penalty to not running a 1:1 ratio (which can be overcome but I don't think it will on a P4).

2. I think you mean HT technology? It's a way to simulate a dual core processor on a single core. Dual channel requires 2 sticks of RAM (ideally you want a dual channel DDR2-400 setup or faster RAM set to run at DDR2-400 speeds)
 
Last edited:
Yea, faster ram wouldnt do anything with a P4. I can tell you now the memory bandwidth with a P4 sucks. My stock memory bandwidth on my old P4 at 133mhz fsb with 1gb of dual channel DDR400 ram was only about 2.4gb/s. When i OCed my P4 to 175mhz fsb/3.54ghz (top OC) my bandwidth only rose to 2.9-3gb/s.

And the ram was running at around 220mhz.
 
Reply

well I did purchase the deluxe motherboard but ebay sent me the wrong one...i didnt wanna go through the hassle of returning and buying another one so i kept it and it doesnt support core 2 duo....although the deluxe model did...so i take it that core 2 duo would be the way to go then
 
Ideally, yes. A P4 isn't bad it's just that the core 2 is so much better especially for the good price right now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top