DDR2-667 Memory for OC to 333MHz FSB

[Radeon962]

I have some DDR2-667 Micron sticks that I want to throw is another machine with a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L and E2160 to mess around with, but wondered if I should just pick up some cheap DDR2-800 to start with.

The memory is from an HP m9000t that I bought and upgraded memory in. The part is MT8HTF12864AY-667E1 and is rated as PC2-5300-555-12 at 1.8v.

I only intend on OC'ing to 9x333, so wouldn't DDR2-667 be fine in that application as the memory and CPU would be 1:1 as both would be running on a 333MHz FSB then?

Thanks, Bill

 

[Cheex]

It is always good to have extra headroom.

Besides, if you get an 800 kit, you might be able to run them @ 667 with less voltage.

Less voltage = Less heat.

:thumbsup:

 

[bob4432]

what memory chips are on the memory sticks?

 

[harpoon84]

Yes, DDR2-667 would be fine in your situation.

 

[harpoon84]

Originally posted by: Cheex
It is always good to have extra headroom.

Besides, if you get an 800 kit, you might be able to run them @ 667 with less voltage.

Less voltage = Less heat.

:thumbsup:

RAM consume about 2 - 3W per stick. I wouldn't worry about power consumption...

Why spend money on new RAM when the existing stuff is perfectly capable?

I'm actually able to run my Corsair DDR2-667 VS at 1000MHz+ with 2V, I'm not saying the OP will have the same mileage but if needed DDR2-667 can always be overclocked slightly to accommodate whatever FSB speed he needs.

 

[DSF]

I would give the sticks you have a shot. If you're not going to pass 333FSB, they should be fine.

@ Cheex - Regardless what speed RAM he buys, how is he going to run his RAM at less than 1.8V?

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: DSF
@ Cheex - Regardless what speed RAM he buys, how is he going to run his RAM at less than 1.8V?

That's a good point, hadn't thought about that before, but you are right I can't recall ever seeing a BIOS or a mobo that allowed you to undervolt your DDR2 below the 1.8V spec.

@OP - two practical advantages come to mind for using DDR2-800 versus DDR2-667 at DDR2-667 memory speeds...the first is peace of mind should your system be unstable at FSB 333 then you will be less likely to waste time and nagging thoughts as to whether your DDR2-667 ram just isn't cutting the mustard and the second reason is that usually you can get some tighter timings at DDR2-667 speeds when using DDR2-800 ram versus DDR2-667 ram.

But those two considerations aside, if you already have the DDR2-667 ram then I would not recommend buying more ram just for the sake of buying this kind of margin. Give the DDR2-667 sticks a little extra voltage (say 1.9V) until you are comfortable with system stability and then back the ram voltage back down to 1.8V while confirming the system doesn't then become unstable (memtest 1.7+ and orthos blend).

 

[Radeon962]

They are rated for 1.8v at 667, so what would be gained by going to 800 if I only plan on pushing the e2160 to 333? Stock voltage for DDR2 on the Gigabyte is 1.8v.

D9HNL Micron Chips - labeled "7WE22" - "D9HNL" - "2HT6"

Googled "Micron D9HNL" and it seems like these should work pretty well for a mild OC to 333MHz.

Looks like some of the boys over on another forum put the D9HNL chips through its paces and got as high as ddr2-900 5-5-5-14@1.9v which would be well beyond what I want out of them.

Bill

 

[Radeon962]

Originally posted by: Idontcare

Originally posted by: DSF

But those two considerations aside, if you already have the DDR2-667 ram then I would not recommend buying more ram just for the sake of buying this kind of margin. Give the DDR2-667 sticks a little extra voltage (say 1.9V) until you are comfortable with system stability and then back the ram voltage back down to 1.8V while confirming the system doesn't then become unstable (memtest 1.7+ and orthos blend).

I actually figured I would give them a shot and see and then pick up some DDR2-800 if needed as it's pretty cheap so might as well see what this can do and then replace it if it is not stable.

Bill

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Radeon962
They are rated for 1.8v at 667, so what would be gained by going to 800 if I only plan on pushing the e2160 to 333? Stock voltage for DDR2 on the Gigabyte is 1.8v.

D9HNL Micron Chips - labeled "7WE22" - "D9HNL" - "2HT6"

Googled "Micron D9HNL" and it seems like these should work pretty well for a mild OC to 333MHz.

Looks like some of the boys over on another forum put the D9HNL chips through its paces and got as high as ddr2-900 5-5-5-14@1.9v which would be well beyond what I want out of them.

Bill

i had heard that 800-900 is no problem at all w/ those chips myself just got 2GB (w/ 3GB on the way) of the hp hot deal that has the same chips...now just need a m/b and cpu...maybe a 8400???

anyway, good luck and let us know how it goes

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: harpoon84

Originally posted by: Cheex
It is always good to have extra headroom.

Besides, if you get an 800 kit, you might be able to run them @ 667 with less voltage.

Less voltage = Less heat.

:thumbsup:

RAM consume about 2 - 3W per stick. I wouldn't worry about power consumption...

I made no reference to power consumption.
I referred to heat output from the memory modules.

Originally posted by: DSF
I would give the sticks you have a shot. If you're not going to pass 333FSB, they should be fine.

@ Cheex - Regardless what speed RAM he buys, how is he going to run his RAM at less than 1.8V?

You can't run DDR2 below 1.8V, see below...

Originally posted by: Idontcare

Originally posted by: DSF
@ Cheex - Regardless what speed RAM he buys, how is he going to run his RAM at less than 1.8V?

That's a good point, hadn't thought about that before, but you are right I can't recall ever seeing a BIOS or a mobo that allowed you to undervolt your DDR2 below the 1.8V spec.

Some 800 kits are rated to run at, let us say 2.0V @ 800. If you are running them at 667, you may be able to run them with 1.9V or 1.8V depending on a few other factors.

 

[hans007]

well if you are running duan channell...

you can keep the ddr2-667 @ 667 and it will exactly saturate the 1333 bus. its been fairly proven that going over the bus speed doesnt really help except if you hvae integrated video

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: hans007
well if you are running duan channell...

you can keep the ddr2-667 @ 667 and it will exactly saturate the 1333 bus. its been fairly proven that going over the bus speed doesnt really help except if you hvae integrated video

Nice info.

I didn't know that increasing FSB boosts performance of integrated video.

Now that you mention it though, it makes a lot of sense.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Cheex
Some 800 kits are rated to run at, let us say 2.0V @ 800. If you are running them at 667, you may be able to run them with 1.9V or 1.8V depending on a few other factors.

How is this different than using the RAM he currently owns, which is rated to run at 667 at 1.8V?

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: DSF

Originally posted by: Cheex
Some 800 kits are rated to run at, let us say 2.0V @ 800. If you are running them at 667, you may be able to run them with 1.9V or 1.8V depending on a few other factors.

How is this different than using the RAM he currently owns, which is rated to run at 667 at 1.8V?

It isn't. His current RAM is fine.

I was however, just showing him certain possibilities int the event that he wants to change them. I mean the headroom is good. Suppose he decides afterward that he wants to go a little higher....catch my drift?

 

[Radeon962]

Just a quick note...

The memory works fine. Running an e2160 at 9x333 at 1.325v. 1:1 FSBRAM. 5-5-5-15 at 1.8v. ACF7 Pro. Idle temps Core 0 - 16º C & Core 2 - 18º C. Under Load in Prime 95 Core 0 - 48º C & Core 2 - 48º C (Speed Fan 4.33 & Core Temp 0.96.1).

Bill

 

[bob4432]

is that your load V from cpu-z or what is set in the bios? would like to know as i am running a 2160 @ 3.0 - i needed 1.4 in bios which yielded 1.344 in cpu-z for orthos stable.

good temps too.

 

[Radeon962]

1.325v in BIOS, CPU-Z reports core voltage as 1.296v. I did not run Prime95 overnight as this machine is not a gaming rig so it will never be taxed that much. It has run stable with no re-boots all weekend, so it is stable for what I do with it. Internet, email, Open Office, DVD's, digital images, etc. Very light gaming on this machine if at all.

I can say that I opened up several hundred pictures at one time in Paint Shop Pro to see what the speed difference would be and it loaded them significantly faster than my old setup (MSI 865PE-Neo2-P, P4 3.2GHz, 2GB Geil DDR40, GeForce 6200).

Case is an Antec Solo with one 120mm Tri-Cool fan in the back on Medium.

My other machine is a loaded HP m900t so that will handle the gaming needs for the kids.


Bill

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Yup, that's just fine. I have an E4300 @ 3GHz running SuperTalent DDR2-667 memory at 1:1.