DDR speed ?

[plummer66]

Can someone tell me what the diff is between PC3200 and higher is? (ie: PC3200 vs. PC4000). Regular DDR here....not DDR2.
I see most mobos go upto PC3200. But yet people use higher (at times). So does the higher just mean that there is some room for overclockability?.....

Thanks !

 

[broly8877]

Yeah, guaranteed overclocking headroom

 

[Kwint Sommer]

Most DDR motherboards don't have dividers above 1:1 so you can only run your RAM as fast as your CPU and since the fastest stock CPU speeds are 200 the fastest standard DDR is 200*16=3200. However, if you overclock then your FSB might be 275 and for 275 you need either a divider that is less than 1:1 like 3:2, which kills your performance, or you need DDR that is rated for 275*16=4400.

 

[plummer66]

Excellent......thanks gang.