A8N-SLI Memory DDR400 or DDR600?

Cy6nUsX1

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Jan 6, 2005
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I am somewhat of a newbie so bear with this simple question please.

All the spec sheets for the A8N-SLI Deluxe MB, list DDR400 as the top compatible RAM (Including the manual), yet the BIOS goes to DDR600? Is DDR400, the fastest that will run Dual-Channel or am I missing something?

TIA.
 

mechsiah

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Aug 8, 2001
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The lesson with AMD64 chips is that if you plan on overclocking, you may not want to blow a lot of cash on high-speed memory. Take a look here:

Some benchmarks

The same info is available on these forums, but I can't find em right off the bat.
 

sreams

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Jul 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: mechsiah
The lesson with AMD64 chips is that if you plan on overclocking, you may not want to blow a lot of cash on high-speed memory. Take a look here:

Some benchmarks

The same info is available on these forums, but I can't find em right off the bat.

This article refers primarily to memory timings. Memory clockspeed is still important when overclocking... so DDR500 or better can be a wise investment.

-S
 

InseName

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Dec 12, 2004
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it means that at stock it will run at dd400 even if u use 600, however, using ddr600 allows you to oc' the computer w/out oc'ing the ram
 

Cy6nUsX1

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Jan 6, 2005
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Thanks for the link...it's a great article about RAM timing.

InseName, I am still a little unclear on your explanation but it sounds like you know the answer. Lemme see if I get it. So, changing the bios setting from DDR400 to DDR600 changes the ratio of computer speed to Dimm speed? OR, If I have DDR600 RAM installed, I can run the BIOS up to DDR600 speed without overspeeding the RAM? I am still confused....... {:-(
 

ts3433

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Jun 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: InseName
it means that at stock it will run at dd400 even if u use 600, however, using ddr600 allows you to oc' the computer w/out oc'ing the ram

You're a bit mixed up, at least from how I read that. Running a divider with DDR400 would allow you to overclock the FSB/HTT without overclocking the RAM (asynchronous operation), while DDR600 would enable synchronous operation. You're correct in that stuff above DDR400 will still run at DDR400 at stock FSB/HTT speed.

DDR400 is the fastest any board can officially support because no JEDEC (DRAM standards committee) specification exists above that speed. Additionally, DDR333 is the highest specification for more than one DIMM per channel, IIRC. (This would apply when you use four memory modules.)

Check the sticky in the CPU/OC forum for information on why you may not want to spend extra for high-end RAM instead of getting value RAM.
 

hkhawk

Junior Member
Dec 29, 2004
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Yes, to put it more simply, one of the best ways to improve performance is to make your motherboard run at a higher speed because then your CPU can communicate faster with the rest of your system. If you want to make your motherboard run faster than at stock speed it is wise to have RAM that can also run at higher speeds as much of the information that your CPU processes comes from your RAM.

DDR400 RAM can be overclocked to run at higher speeds but in general it would perform worse than the DDR600 would at the higher speed. However, if you do not want to overclock you should definately buy DDR400 RAM as it is cheaper and at stock speed the DDR600 would give you no advantage.
 

Cy6nUsX1

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Jan 6, 2005
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Cy6nUsX1

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Jan 6, 2005
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I got the RAM that I bid for on Ebay....$160

It is GEIL Ultra X 1G Dual Channel that listed for 2-6-3-3 but I just got it. It is actually 2-5-2-2!! Even Better.

If only FEDEX had not dropped my case, I would be building a PC now....a few more days of waiting.
 

meolsen

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Dec 26, 2004
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DDR400 is the fastest any board can officially support because no JEDEC (DRAM standards committee) specification exists above that speed. Additionally, DDR333 is the highest specification for more than one DIMM per channel, IIRC. (This would apply when you use four memory modules.)

I didn't know this about DDR 333. I have four 512s on my A8N board. It boots stock to 333, but I set it to ddr400. Should I not be doing this? It shows up on CPUID as the difference between runninga at 166mhz and 200 mhz.

I confess - I'm a little confused. Slower with four DIMMs?

Any help?

Mike