Upgrade Check/Question

[re1ex]

Just a quick check.

CPU - C2D E8400
Mobo - Asus P5K
Memory - 2x1GB DDR2 1066

A question I have is that the CPU FSB is 1333, but the mobo spec says 1333/1066. Whats the deal, do I need 1333 speed memory or will 1066 give me a 1333 FSB?

 

[gwai lo]

The 1333 MHz figure is the quad pumped FSB, so it's effectively 1333 Mhz, but in actually 333 MHz (1333 ÷ 4). So you only need DDR2-667 for running at stock speeds.

As for motherboard memory standards, that's just marketing and pretty much meaningless. The FSB runs in accordance to what the processor is supposed to.

 

[engiNURD]

just to add to gwai lo's post...

/*------------- <cut n paste> -------------*/
Formulas for Intel platform @ 1:1 settings: (base FSB speed is SDR, or single data rate)
c x [Base FSB speed] = CPU speed (c = CPU Multiplier)
2 x [Base FSB speed] = RAM speed (DDR: double data rate)
4 x [Base FSB speed] = FSB speed (QDR: quad data rate; Effective FSB speed)

On Intel platforms, running the RAM higher than a 1:1 ratio with the CPU is, for the most part, useless, so don't bother trying to do so. If the BIOS does it for you, just let it. All you need is a 1:1 config, though. Here's some possible clock speeds (as always with OC'ing, your results will vary):

E8400: 9 × 333 = 3.0Ghz, DDR2-667, 1333 FSB << STOCK
E8400: 9 × 400 = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-800, 1600 FSB << Nice OC
E8400: 9 × 445 = 4.0Ghz, DDR2-890, 1780 FSB << Good OC
E8400: 9 × 500 = 4.5Ghz, DDR2-1000, 2000 FSB << Great OC
/*------------- </cut n paste> -------------*/

 

[Dangman]

And that DDR2 1066 RAM is not a good buy considering that you can get 4GB of DDR2 1000 RAM for only $75:
G.SKILL F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 1000 RAM - $75

Everything else looks good.

 

[engiNURD]

You could actually get 4GB even cheaper...
$63 - A-DATA 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2-800 ADQVE1B16K ($15 off Promo Code: EMCAFAJAG)

And those sticks OC well, too, or so I've heard.