DDR 400 Dual Channel or DDR2 800

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stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
7,036
8
81
Originally posted by: murgaan
Now, Bobthelost, I already own the Intel 630. I realize I miswrote above (660); sorry. I'm trying to figure out if I should go with DDR or DDR2.

The other question..do you want PCIe or AGP. Most of the DDR motherboards for LGA775 chips still use AGP..there are some 915 boards that support DDR and PCIe, but don't support dual core CPU's, leaving you a lack of an upgrade path. If you want PCIe, go with a newer motherboard with DDR2 so you at least have an upgrade path. If you have an AGP board, go with something like the Asus P5P800SE, which uses AGP and DDR, but still supports the newer dual cores.
 

robertk2012

Platinum Member
Dec 14, 2004
2,134
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Originally posted by: murgaan
Now, Bobthelost, I already own the Intel 630. I realize I miswrote above (660); sorry. I'm trying to figure out if I should go with DDR or DDR2.

DDR2 Intel chips love the bandwith since they dont have a memory controller built into the chip.

DDR2 will only get cheaper DDR will start to get more expensive.

DDR2 will be used in future AMD systems so you can reuse the ram even if you decidde to get an AM2 system.

So again get the DDR2.
 

murgaan

Junior Member
Feb 21, 2006
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By the time I upgrade, I'll need a new motherboard anyway. I see Conroe in my future :)
 

murgaan

Junior Member
Feb 21, 2006
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Originally posted by: robertk2012
Originally posted by: murgaan
Now, Bobthelost, I already own the Intel 630. I realize I miswrote above (660); sorry. I'm trying to figure out if I should go with DDR or DDR2.

DDR2 Intel chips love the bandwith since they on have a memory controller built into the chip.

DDR2 will only get cheaper DDR will start to get more expensive.

DDR2 will be used in future AMD systems so you can reuse the ram even if you decidde to get an AM2 system.

So again get the DDR2.


I belive it's AMD that has the memory controller built into the chip.
 

ND40oz

Golden Member
Jul 31, 2004
1,264
0
86
Originally posted by: murgaan
The Gigabyte board referenced only supports DDR-667...

Now, what happens to the 800MHz FSB speed when using DDR-667 memory? To my eye that doesn't seem to match as 667 isn't a multiple of 200.

Scroll down:

Dual Channel DDR2 888
Get a jump in memory performance with the advanced technology of DDR2! Through GIGABTYE engineering, we had overcome the chipset limitations of DR26 667/533 and come to the barrier of DDR2 888, delivering superior performance for the most demanding applications.
 

robertk2012

Platinum Member
Dec 14, 2004
2,134
0
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Originally posted by: murgaan
Originally posted by: robertk2012
Originally posted by: murgaan
Now, Bobthelost, I already own the Intel 630. I realize I miswrote above (660); sorry. I'm trying to figure out if I should go with DDR or DDR2.

DDR2 Intel chips love the bandwith since they on have a memory controller built into the chip.

DDR2 will only get cheaper DDR will start to get more expensive.

DDR2 will be used in future AMD systems so you can reuse the ram even if you decidde to get an AM2 system.

So again get the DDR2.


I belive it's AMD that has the memory controller built into the chip.

Yeah I had a typo. I left the d and the t off of dont.
 

murgaan

Junior Member
Feb 21, 2006
14
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That motherboard uses the Intel 975x chipset. I read the data sheet, and it supports a maximum of DDR2-667.
 

ND40oz

Golden Member
Jul 31, 2004
1,264
0
86
Originally posted by: murgaan
That motherboard uses the Intel 975x chipset. I read the data sheet, and it supports a maximum of DDR2-667.

Alright, before you start thinking the intel data sheet is the be all end all of all intel chipset motherboards, do some research. It may be that way on the intel made motherboards, but manufactures can deviate from intels specs. If you haven't noticed, I own the gigabyte motherboard. In the bios, you have this thing called a memory multiplier, with AMD boards usually you run it at a number below one, such as .83 so that you can get your HTT high but not overclock your DDR PC3200 over it's limits. With the gigabyte board, you can set the multiplier all the way up to 4, meaning you can run the chip at it's stock 200 fsb and the memory at 800. Check out technonuts' overclock on his Asus 975 board, his memory is running at over 900.

924
 

murgaan

Junior Member
Feb 21, 2006
14
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ND40z, Thank you. Very good information. I took another look at the data sheet, and indeed you are correct; The clock that controls the memory is an input to the chipset. So, yes the motherboard manufacturer can do what they like. Also, thanks for the link to Technonut's post; The proof is in the pudding.

I'm going to go with DDR2 after all, since I'd like a more modern motherboard; They seem to perform better for a few reasons one of which surely could be the memory standard.

I'm getting the ASUS P5ND2-SLI; its big brother got a great review here on Anandtech (Unless someone can convince me otherwise :) ).

Thanks all for your input.