DDR2 + Intel FSB help needed.

[xFlankerx]

I'm not building or overclocking anything. I'm simply a helper of other people, not unlike most of you. However, I need to know how to overclock Intel processors (since I'm only know AMD overclocking). But for the sake of making it easier, let's have a hypothetical situation where I'm going to be overclocking a Intel C2D E6600 with G.Skill DDR2-800 HZs.

Since I'm coming for the AMD side, I'm confused on how the Intel FSB compares to the DDR2 memory's actual speed. See, with AMD, you have a 200MHz FSB at stock, and that has to match the Memory's actual speed at 200Mhz, thus running 1:1. Since DDR2-800 memory runs at 400Mhz actual, and an Intel Conroe has a core FSB of 266Mhz, how do they relate? Is the memory running with a divider? AFAIK, running with a divider in Intel systems negatively affects performance, due to the lack of an IMC.

 

[Donnie27]

I'm not building or overclocking anything. I'm simply a helper of other people, not unlike most of you. However, I need to know how to overclock Intel processors (since I'm only know AMD overclocking). But for the sake of making it easier, let's have a hypothetical situation where I'm going to be overclocking a Intel C2D E6600 with G.Skill DDR2-800 HZs.

Since I'm coming for the AMD side, I'm confused on how the Intel FSB compares to the DDR2 memory's actual speed. See, with AMD, you have a 200MHz FSB at stock, and that has to match the Memory's actual speed at 200Mhz, thus running 1:1. Since DDR2-800 memory runs at 400Mhz actual, and an Intel Conroe has a core FSB of 266Mhz, how do they relate? Is the memory running with a divider? AFAIK, running with a divider in Intel systems negatively affects performance, due to the lack of an IMC.

They use multipliers. 266.7 is used as the base speed on the FSB and the Memory. At stock 266.7 you match the RAM by using Multipliers like 2 X 266.7 = 533, 2.5 X 266 = 667, 3 X 266 = 800 and so on.

Let's say you overclock to 300MHz FSB. We'll used the same Multipliers. Then the memory's speed then becomes 2 x 300 = 600, 2.5 X 300 = 750 and of course 3 X 300 = 900MHz.

A perfect 1:1 is just setting the RAM to 533 (Whatever speed it is) and running the FSB as high as possible.

 

[NulloModo]

They use multipliers. 266.7 is used as the base speed on the FSB and the Memory. At stock 266.7 you match the RAM by using Multipliers like 2 X 266.7 = 533, 2.5 X 266 = 667, 3 X 266 = 800 and so on.

Let's say you overclock to 300MHz FSB. We'll used the same Multipliers. Then the memory's speed then becomes 2 x 300 = 600, 2.5 X 300 = 750 and of course 3 X 300 = 900MHz.

A perfect 1:1 is just setting the RAM to 533 9 (Whatever speed it is) and running the FSB as high as possible.

That even confused me. Things were a lot simple before DDR came in, and DDR2 makes it worse. I have a P4 2.4 Northwood that uses DDR333 (regular DDR, not DDR2). I always assumed that whatever the FSB was the RAM ran at twice that speed. If I got a C2D that uses DDR2 would the RAM run at 4x the FSB speed? And what does the processor do, just scale up my multiplier?

 

[xFlankerx]

I'm still reading it over and over again trying to understand it, lol.

 

[NulloModo]

I'm still reading it over and over again trying to understand it, lol.

The OP's or Donnie's?

As for the OP, I think current AMD systems run a memory bus that is somehow sepereate from the CPU bus, but as the last AMD system I owned was a K6-2 before HT came into the picture I can't say for sure.

As for Donnie, I am sure he knows what he is saying, but for those of us who have never used a DDR-2 system, and have most of out OCing experience on SDRAM systems, it still is a bit perplexing.

 

[xFlankerx]

I AM the OP. Yes, in AMD's K8 architecture, the CPU and Memory have a direct link that is seperate from the FSB, thus voiding the need for a Northbridge for CPU-RAM communication. So in OC'ing, the RAM actual speed and base CPU FSB (called HTT) are usually the same at stock. The CPU obviously has its multi, and the RAM is DDR, so the speed gets doubled for the effective speed. You can use dividers, to scale the memory speeds up as well as down, and I think that might be the same as the multipliers that Donnie mentioned.

There is another thread on this in this very section of the forum that's discussing this as well, lol. Should've searched before I posted I guess.

 

[aldamon]

Is the memory running with a divider?

The Athlon 64 has an onboard memory controller, so the memory needs to run at a fraction of the speed of the CPU. That's why it has a memory divider like CPU/10 or CPU/12. With Conroe, there's a standard Northbridge controlling the memory. The FSB is 266 quad-pumped (1066) and the memory dual-pumped (2x memory multiplier instead of divider) by default. PC2-4200 or DDR2-533 running at 266 * 2 or 533 MHz is the default RAM for Core2.

xFlankerx, DDR2-800 would give you the headroom to overclock the RAM and FSB to 400 without running out of spec. At that speed, the FSB would be 1200 MHz and the RAM speed would be 800 MHz.

 

[xFlankerx]

I've been reading and re-reading the replies I've gotten (from this forum, OC Forums, and Tony's Guide).

I've found that my confusion stemmed from when someone told me that DDR2-800 would be the starting point for Conroe. I took that to mean that DDR2-800 memory would be the base requirement for running a C2D at stock speeds and FSB. Apparently, that is incorrect.

From what I gather, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it would seem that DDR2-800 is to Intel processors as DDR600 is to AMD processors. In that it lets you overclock the processor like crazy without worrying about exceeding the memory's spec.?

Assuming that the above is correct, that would also mean that someone who plans to buy a C2D processor and not overclock, could possibly get DDR2-533 memory and not suffer any loss of performance due to the memory?

Please tell me if I'm right or wrong on the above things.

One more question about the Multiplier/Dram Ratio/Divider; What is the stock one? Is it 1:1, aka. 266 x 1 x 2, aka. 2x266 (all ways that I've seen it described as)?

Lol, I'm doing a lot of assuming, no? If the above is correct, then there are two ways of overclocking memory. One would be to simply raise the core FSB speed up from 266Mhz. The other would be to change the multiplier/ratio/divider? Which would be akin to setting a memory divider to a higher speed in an AMD system?

This has made me curious about something. What memory would a person with say...a Pentium-D 930 have gotten for their 200MHz FSB processor? If DDR2-533 is the base DDR2 memory, does that mean that people with 200MHz and 133Mhz FSB Intel processors were buying memory faster than their FSB was?

EDIT: By the way...what's a "strap"?

 

[Donnie27]

That even confused me. Things were a lot simple before DDR came in, and DDR2 makes it worse. I have a P4 2.4 Northwood that uses DDR333 (regular DDR, not DDR2). I always assumed that whatever the FSB was the RAM ran at twice that speed. If I got a C2D that uses DDR2 would the RAM run at 4x the FSB speed? And what does the processor do, just scale up my multiplier?

Why than you very much for the kind words!

 

[Donnie27]

I'm still reading it over and over again trying to understand it, lol.

Yea LOL! That's what I get for trying to help a silly assed AMD Fan

 

[NulloModo]

Why than you very much for the kind words!

Assuming that was a sarcastic remark, no offense intended, I just have issues with DDR2 and trying to figure out how it relates to CPU and FSB speed (not to mention the PCxxxx bullshit, why can't it just be called DDRxxx whatever it is).

 

[xFlankerx]

You're confusing. Did you just call me a silly-assed AMD fan?

 

[xFlankerx]

Bump. Someone please address my rather large post up there.

 

[aldamon]

From what I gather, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it would seem that DDR2-800 is to Intel processors as DDR600 is to AMD processors. In that it lets you overclock the processor like crazy without worrying about exceeding the memory's spec.?

YES

Assuming that the above is correct, that would also mean that someone who plans to buy a C2D processor and not overclock, could possibly get DDR2-533 memory and not suffer any loss of performance due to the memory?

YES

If the above is correct, then there are two ways of overclocking memory. One would be to simply raise the core FSB speed up from 266Mhz. The other would be to change the multiplier/ratio/divider? Which would be akin to setting a memory divider to a higher speed in an AMD system?

YES

Lol, I'm doing a lot of assuming, no?

How could you still be "assuming" things when we've already told you everything you've asked is true? LOL. My first post handled most of these questions.

EDIT: By the way...what's a "strap"?

i975 boot strap explanation:
http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22297

 

[Donnie27]

You're confusing. Did you just call me a silly-assed AMD fan?

Please note the ""!

 

[metallicafan]

Good informational post. Thanks guys. I know that this isnt exactly the best place to ask but since we are on topic anyway, . . . does DDR2 in the newest AMD systems work the same way? Or is it somehow still based on a divider? Thanks.

 

[xFlankerx]

Thanks Aldamon, I'm pretty sure I get it now.

Good informational post. Thanks guys. I know that this isnt exactly the best place to ask but since we are on topic anyway, . . . does DDR2 in the newest AMD systems work the same way? Or is it somehow still based on a divider? Thanks.

Yea, I was wondering about this too while I was learning the Intel way.

 

[EQTakeOffense]

Good informational post. Thanks guys. I know that this isnt exactly the best place to ask but since we are on topic anyway, . . . does DDR2 in the newest AMD systems work the same way? Or is it somehow still based on a divider? Thanks.

The Athlon 64 has an onboard memory controller, so the memory needs to run at a fraction of the speed of the CPU. That's why it has a memory divider like CPU/10 or CPU/12. With Conroe, there's a standard Northbridge controlling the memory. The FSB is 266 quad-pumped (1066) and the memory dual-pumped (2x memory multiplier instead of divider) by default. PC2-4200 or DDR2-533 running at 266 * 2 or 533 MHz is the default RAM for Core2.

With AM2 the memory works the same was as it always has in the S939, just it uses DDR2 instead of DDR.

 

[Drexion]

The speed at which you run your ram can limit your overclock, if you wish to have a 1:1 ratio.

Example, at ram stock speeds with a E6300:

The 6300 has a x7 multiplier, and its DDR2, (double), so you divide by two, meaning at 1:1 @ stock speeds

DDR2-667 (aka PC2-5400) will allow you to reach 2.3Ghz on a E6300 ((667 / 2) * 7).
DDR2-800 (aka PC2-6400) will allow you to reach 2.8Ghz on a E6300 ((800 / 2) * 7).
DDR2-1066 (aka PC2-8500) will allow you to reach 3.7Ghz on a E6300 ((1066 / 2) * 7).

You get the idea.

(Of course in reality your ram may not be the bottleneck, other things like you boards max FSB will probably be reached first)
Also usually you can push your ram to higher speeds, even more by by loosening the timings. Or some will choose to run at a different ratio, like 4:3.

 

[xFlankerx]

AM2 still runs on a 200MHz FSB, correct? So DDR2-400 would be the standard 1:1 memory for it? And if you got something higher, DDR2-533/667/800, then it would try to set a ratio to get the memory running at spec.?

 

[metallicafan]

AM2 still runs on a 200MHz FSB, correct? So DDR2-400 would be the standard 1:1 memory for it? And if you got something higher, DDR2-533/667/800, then it would try to set a ratio to get the memory running at spec.?

Yeah AMD still has a MB speed of 200Mhz. So when we used DDR then DDR400 was the standard. Does it use a multiplier like the Intel Boards somehow?

 

[EQTakeOffense]

AM2 still runs on a 200MHz FSB, correct? So DDR2-400 would be the standard 1:1 memory for it? And if you got something higher, DDR2-533/667/800, then it would try to set a ratio to get the memory running at spec.?

Not quite. DDR2-800 would be standar for 1:1 on AM2.

The memory controller integrated on AM2 CPUs can support DDR2-533, DDR2-667 and DDR2-800 memories. The problem, however, is how the memory bus clock is achieved. Instead of being generated thru the CPU base clock (HTT clock, which is of 200 MHz), it divides the CPU internal clock. The value of this divider is half the value of the CPU multiplier.

For example, an AMD64 CPU with a clock multiplier of 12x will have a memory bus divider of 6. So this CPU will work at 2.4 GHz (200 MHz x 12) and its memories will work at 400 MHz (DDR2-800, 2,400 MHz / 6). Keep in mind that DDR and DDR2 memories are rated with double their real clock rate.

The problem is when the CPU clock multiplier is an odd number. For an AM2 CPU with a clock multiplier of 13x, theoretically its memory bus divider would be of 6.5. Since the AMD64 memory bus doesn’t work with “broken” dividers, it is rounded up to the next rounded number, seven in this case. So while this CPU will work at 2.6 GHz (200 MHz x 13), its memory bus will work at 371 MHz (742 MHz DDR) and not at 400 MHz (800 MHz DDR), making the CPU to not achieve the maximum bandwidth the DDR2 memory can provide.

This is the case of Athlon 64 X2 5000+. As it works internally at 2.6 GHz multiplying its HTT clock by 13x, it can access memory only up to 742 MHz and not 800 MHz. Athlon 64 FX-62, on the other hand, works internally at 2.8 GHz multiplying its HTT clock by 14x, allowing it to access the memory truly at 800 MHz. We will talk more about this later, as we thought it was important to take a closer look on this issue.

Source: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/340

Basically, everything is based on AMD's System Bus of 200Mhz just like everything in an Intel machine is based off of a 266Mhz System Bus. It's just, Intel and AMD use TWO completely different methods for getting RAM speed. AMD uses a divider of the actual CPU speed, while Intel uses a straight forward multiplier of the system bus.

Does this make any sense to you? It's REALLY confusing, but, just do some research and ask questions, and it'll make sense.

 

[Donnie27]

Yeah AMD still has a MB speed of 200Mhz. So when we used DDR then DDR400 was the standard. Does it use a multiplier like the Intel Boards somehow?

It's the same. The base speed is the most important thing to remember be it 200MHz on AMD systems or 266.7 on Intel. The C2D's FSB is 4 X 266.7 = 1066. The Processor's speed is 9 X 266.7, the RAM speed is ___ X 266.7. That's;
2 x 266.7 = 533
2.5 X 266.7 = 667
3 X 266.7 = 800
4 X 266.7 = 1066.

During these changes, the FSB can stay right at 1066.

Without 266.7, you can't even figure out what the Strap Settings are. With AMD that 200 is X 5 then X 2 for 2000MT. Or (4 X 200) X 2 = 1600 for those models. Please note, these use a narrower bandwidth than Intel's so the kind of balances out with AMD having slightly more bandwidth.

Even the Ratios are 266.7MHz dependent on Intel's systems. FSB:RAM or 4:5 is the same as saying 1066:1333. To get that 1333MHz you need two ch-of DDR2. The example I gave was 300MHz that should have been that hard and there such a thing as asking questions, isn't it? If we took the example of 300 and used 4:5 that would be 1200:1500 makes a great case for DDR2-800/PC-6400. Folks having problems with DDR2 and what speeds it is, just divide by 2 or Half. Above would be DDR1-400/PC 3200.

One more time. Some web site ought to do a Mixed Ratio like 4:5 vs 1:1 so that 1:1 is best myth can be thrown out with 4 year old chipsets that had that problem. New ones don't *seem to suffer from that problem.

 

[metallicafan]

Not quite. DDR2-800 would be standar for 1:1 on AM2.



Source: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/340

Basically, everything is based on AMD's System Bus of 200Mhz just like everything in an Intel machine is based off of a 266Mhz System Bus. It's just, Intel and AMD use TWO completely different methods for getting RAM speed. AMD uses a divider of the actual CPU speed, while Intel uses a straight forward multiplier of the system bus.

Does this make any sense to you? It's REALLY confusing, but, just do some research and ask questions, and it'll make sense.

Thanks EQ that was really helpful. That makes sense. i have one final question. I understand on the Intel side how there are multipliers for the RAM speeds so if you have DDR-800 you could also run at speeds of 667 and 533. On my AM2 motherboard it also gives me the option to run at lower speeds even though I have ddr-800 RAM.

So since I have a 2.4Ghz chip the CPU multiplier would be 12X and the RAM divder would be 6 for 800Mhz DDR. How does the motheroboard adjust to run the RAM at 667Mhz? Even 2400 / 7 doesnt come out right. Thanks again.

 

[Donnie27]

Thanks EQ that was really helpful. That makes sense. i have one final question. I understand on the Intel side how there are multipliers for the RAM speeds so if you have DDR-800 you could also run at speeds of 667 and 533. On my AM2 motherboard it also gives me the option to run at lower speeds even though I have ddr-800 RAM.

So since I have a 2.4Ghz chip the CPU multiplier would be 12X and the RAM divder would be 6 for 800Mhz DDR. How does the motheroboard adjust to run the RAM at 667Mhz? Even 2400 / 7 doesnt come out right. Thanks again.

No since the FSB is 266.7, not 200MHz FSB. The multiplier is 9X, not 12X. 9 X 266.7 = 2400MHz. Again, RAM uses the same 266.7MHz base or CORE speed. To get 800MHz you need to set it to a 3X multiplier since 3 X 266.7 = 800MHz for the RAM.

Right now, the multipliers will NOT allow RAM to run slower than FSB as it did with other Intel chipsets.

 

[metallicafan]

I guess I wasnt very clear on my other post. Donnie I understand how it works for Intel motherboards. Thanks for the explanations.

So since I have a 2.4Ghz chip the CPU multiplier would be 12X and the RAM divder would be 6 for 800Mhz DDR. How does the motheroboard adjust to run the RAM at 667Mhz? Even 2400 / 7 doesnt come out right. Thanks again.

I was refering in my previous post to an AMD chip and motherboard.

 

[EQTakeOffense]

From my understanding, it just rounds up.

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

all right, i read this thread, some things were right, and some were not

let's kinda start from the beginning.
for all intel systems, and pre K8 amd systems, there is an "FSB" that runs at some mhz. for conroe, this mhz happens to be 266mhz.
since the memory controller is in the northbridge, it is also running at the same speed as the FSB. to get to the final memory clock, you can simply multiply the ratio that is being used to the FSB.. let's say for ddr2-800 running at stock for a conroe rig... the motherboard picks the 3:2 ratio (DRAM:FSB)
so 266mhz * (3/2) = 399mhz.. for the sake of simplicity, we round up to 400mhz

overclock the FSB to 315mhz with the same ratio? now we're at 472.5mhz.
obviously, there are a lot of ratios to choose from. that's sorta where chipset strap comes in, it allows the motherboard to hide and show various ratios and change internal timing to get the optimal performance while still hitting high mhz

for K8, i presume you already understand this as an amd guy..
for s939 and AM2, base clock, HTT, is 200mhz. the memory controller runs at the CPU clock.
the main difference is the "ratios" that are available in the bios.
for 939, they're all 1:1 or lower, with the exception of a few performance boards that allow up to 3:2 (250mhz/ddr500)
for AM2, they're all 1:1 and higher.. there's ddr2-400, which is obviously 1:1
ddr2-533, which is 4:3
ddr2-667, 5:3
and finally ddr-800, which is 2:1

simply divide the cpu multiplier by the memory ratio and round up.

say with 939 i'm using the 12x multi with a 5:6 memory ratio (ddr333), that'll be 12 / (5/6) = 14.4, which rounds up to 15. final memory speed is cpu/15

for AM2, say i have a 9x multi and i'm using the 5:3 ratio (ddr2-667), the memory divider is now 9 / (5/3) = 5.4 -> cpu/6


that's enough typing for now.

 

[Donnie27]

all right, i read this thread, some things were right, and some were not

let's kinda start from the beginning.
for all intel systems, and pre K8 amd systems, there is an "FSB" that runs at some mhz. for conroe, this mhz happens to be 266mhz.
since the memory controller is in the northbridge, it is also running at the same speed as the FSB. to get to the final memory clock, you can simply multiply the ratio that is being used to the FSB.. let's say for ddr2-800 running at stock for a conroe rig... the motherboard picks the 3:2 ratio (DRAM:FSB)
so 266mhz * (3/2) = 399mhz.. for the sake of simplicity, we round up to 400mhz

overclock the FSB to 315mhz with the same ratio? now we're at 472.5mhz.
obviously, there are a lot of ratios to choose from. that's sorta where chipset strap comes in, it allows the motherboard to hide and show various ratios and change internal timing to get the optimal performance while still hitting high mhz

for K8, i presume you already understand this as an amd guy..
for s939 and AM2, base clock, HTT, is 200mhz. the memory controller runs at the CPU clock.
the main difference is the "ratios" that are available in the bios.
for 939, they're all 1:1 or lower, with the exception of a few performance boards that allow up to 3:2 (250mhz/ddr500)
for AM2, they're all 1:1 and higher.. there's ddr2-400, which is obviously 1:1
ddr2-533, which is 4:3
ddr2-667, 5:3
and finally ddr-800, which is 2:1

simply divide the cpu multiplier by the memory ratio and round up.

say with 939 i'm using the 12x multi with a 5:6 memory ratio (ddr333), that'll be 12 / (5/6) = 14.4, which rounds up to 15. final memory speed is cpu/15

for AM2, say i have a 9x multi and i'm using the 5:3 ratio (ddr2-667), the memory divider is now 9 / (5/3) = 5.4 -> cpu/6


that's enough typing for now.

Kind of but a little off. i965 uses only multipliers and not Ratios like that. You hit enter for the RAM settings in the BIOS are you faced with 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6. So you don't really see a 5:4 or etc.... Since the RAM is only half the bandwidth of the Processor or its FSB you get 533:1066 as being 1:1.

The other problem folks confuse System Bus with FSB.

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

Kind of but a little off. i965 uses only multipliers and not Ratios like that. You hit enter for the RAM settings in the BIOS are you faced with 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

just differences in displaying it. with the 2x "multi", which is really 1:1, the ram speed runs at the same speed of the fsb, but it's effectively ddr2-533, which is 2x 266mhz, thus the 2x designation. REALLY STUPID, but what can i do about it?
2.5x is is really 5:4.. fsb * 5/4 = memory clock. at 266mhz... * 2.5 = roughly 667mhz, or 333mhz real clock. 266 * 5/4... yeah

you get the idea.

 

[Donnie27]

just differences in displaying it. with the 2x "multi", which is really 1:1, the ram speed runs at the same speed of the fsb, but it's effectively ddr2-533, which is 2x 266mhz, thus the 2x designation. REALLY STUPID, but what can i do about it?
2.5x is is really 5:4.. fsb * 5/4 = memory clock. at 266mhz... * 2.5 = roughly 667mhz, or 333mhz real clock. 266 * 5/4... yeah

you get the idea.

Yes it is pretty silly but I was just trying to let you know how Intel uses it. It's simply 2.5 X 266.7 = 667, not 5/4 or etc... Same goes for 3 X 266.7 = 800. The BIOS lists these as numbers, not ratios.

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

Yes it is pretty silly but I was just trying to let you know how Intel uses it. It's simply 2.5 X 266.7 = 667, not 5/4 or etc... Same goes for 3 X 266.7 = 800. The BIOS lists these as numbers, not ratios.

i haven't used a 965 based board yet, so i didn't have that in mind. my p5wd2 just tells me the actual ram speed based on the fsb and lists all the options based on what ratios are available. kinda nice

but regardless of how it's displayed, it's still a ratio. like the a64 boards that have "memclock limit" for the ratio. makes it real confusing because some people will go overclock thinking that the memory will stay at or below whatever they set it to.

 

[Donnie27]

i haven't used a 965 based board yet, so i didn't have that in mind. my p5wd2 just tells me the actual ram speed based on the fsb and lists all the options based on what ratios are available. kinda nice

but regardless of how it's displayed, it's still a ratio. like the a64 boards that have "memclock limit" for the ratio. makes it real confusing because some people will go overclock thinking that the memory will stay at or below whatever they set it to.

Yes I know and yup that's how i965 list them. I know it's ratio driven The BIOS also shows the final RAM speed after the FSB is raised.

The RAM's setting on i965 can't run below the FSB speed like i875 and i865 did. We have to get that message out there.

Since this thing was made from the ground up to allow more Memory bandwidth and clean up some of the bottlenecks, the effects of RATIOs aren't the same as older boards. Its Buffers and etc., aren't as bad as i875/865 or 915/925 for running in modes other than 1:1. This killed performance on i875 like my IC7-G. 3.3GHz@5:4 ran a little faster than 2.8 1:1 and a little slower than 3GHz 1:1. When I finally got some good RAM, I saw what I had been missing out on.

More memory bandwidth on i965P is put there for PCI-E and DMI to access the MCH/System memory without stealing bandwidth from the FSB.

I can't wait until you can get your hands on an i965 and do a memory review. I'd be glad to read it

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

aha, thanks for clearing that up. i might know a smidge about memory, but intel's chipsets are a big ? for me

i'll probably get a 965 board after i'm done messing with this p5wd2 and sell it, along with the abit aw8 i have as well
thanks though

 

[Donnie27]

aha, thanks for clearing that up. i might know a smidge about memory, but intel's chipsets are a big ? for me

i'll probably get a 965 board after i'm done messing with this p5wd2 and sell it, along with the abit aw8 i have as well
thanks though

You're very welcomed.

You'll find that one of the most important things about RAM for i965P is Lower Voltage RAM ( 1.8 to 1.9v) is more important than Lower Latency. High Voltage RAM can cause Cold boot problems as well.

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

that could be trouble. i'm used to running in the 2.4 - 2.75v range for vdimm on my msi k9n..

 

[Donnie27]

that could be trouble. i'm used to running in the 2.4 - 2.75v range for vdimm on my msi k9n..

Oh yeah, from what I've been reading you can forget that with an i965P that defaults to 1.8v on the int boot up. MY first 2GBHZX GSKill wasn't stable because it needed 2.2V.

On that note. The new stuff (PK) still doesn't like running at 800MHz. No more GSkill for me. This RAM isn't as Good as the Patriot 667 I tested for a friend. It's as if GS rebadged 667 as 800. The GS-PK will not pass Mem Test or Prime running 800MHz RAM speed and the Processor at stock speed.

 

[oozish]

Great thread, thanks to OP!