Back in the game - memory has becoming confusing

[kronchev]

Hey guys,

I'm upgrading a pretty old computer in the way that I'm throwing out everything but the case and harddrives. I am going for this processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115015

and Newegg says that this RAM is compatible:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

It says the processor has a 1066 mhz FSB, but the ram says "DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)" for the speed.

But to me, being a guy used to things like PC133 and DDR266,

How do I compare processor FSB's to RAM speeds to make sure I'm not dicking myself.

Oh and I don't plan to OC. At all. I read a thread or two just now and it seems to say that PC2 6400 is above-normal speed, but this stuff is also cheap, so I wasn't planning on any future OC-ability.

Thanks guys

 

[Deleted member 109755]

1066 is the Front side bus, 800 mhz is the dram frequency, don't worry about it...go ahead and get it with a 680i A1 mobo and you'll be set.

 

[calebb]

I just jumped back in the game a few weeks ago myself - I had been out of it since the BP6 days.

Most motherboards these days can unlink your FSB and memory speeds, or at least run them at different ratios.

I'm running:
E6320 7x mult, stock 266MHz (quad pumped / 1066MHz FSB) @ 426MHz (1704MHz FSB).

I'm running my memory at a 5:4 ratio: i.e., (426 * 5)/4 = ~533 --> DDR so *2 = 1066MHz. (It's PC2 8500 / 1066MHz memory @ 5-5-5-15 timings)

So, if your motherboard supports faster memory speeds, by all means, go for it. RAM is cheap enough these days. If you get PC2 6400 / 800MHz memory, it will probably do 1066MHz OK if it is using Micron D9 chips. Or you can spend an extra $5 or $10 and get it pre-tested at 1066MHz...