DDR333/DDR400 for DDR266 motherboard....POSSIBLE???

[idoc]

My old Gigabyte 7DXR is rated for DDR200/266. I'm replacing my 2x256 Crucial PC2100 with 2x512 for total of 1 Gb for video editing. Was planning on getting Crucial 512 Mb PC2100 but I found out that the cost is almost the same as faster DDR being sold. Here is current pricing at NewEgg:

Geil Value 3200 CL2.5 $83
Corsair Value Select 3200 CL2.5 $85
OCZ 2700 CL2.5 $88 3200 CL2.5 $90
Crucial 2100 CL2.5 $85 2700 CL2.5 $89 3200 CL3 $87
Kingston ValueRAM 2700 CL2.5 $86 3200 CL3 $88
Kingmax 2700 CL2.5 $80 3200 CL2.5 $81 3500 CL2.5 $86 3700 CL3 $86 4000 CL3 $105

Looking at these prices, it would seem foolish to be getting PC2100 if the faster DDR can also run in my board. I have heard of some people who had this old board and were using DDR333, even DDR433. I would like to ask if this is really possible, and if so how? I have absolutely no knowledge about manually adjusting the DRAM settings in the BIOS. Is this going to be necesary to make the faster DDR run on the 7DXR? Or is it a simple matter of installing them in the slots?

I'm considering getting the faster DDR for use in a possible future motherboard upgrade, and maybe for better performance. It does not matter to me that DDR400 will still have to run at 266 MHz speed. ONLY AS LONG AS IT WILL RUN STABLE. Otherwise, I'll just have to settle for same-priced DDR266. Help will be greatly appreciated.

idoc

P.S. I run my 2400+ at stock FSB of 133. Memory settings set to AUTO.

 

[Shooters]

You can use PC3200 and run it at PC2100 speeds, shouldn't be a problem. If you have everything set to auto in the BIOS then your board might try to run the new modules at the speed that it grabs from the SPD chip which is going to be 200MHz DDR, but you want to run the FSB and RAM synchronously for optimal performance. So, just go into the BIOS and look for a setting called RAM:FSB ratio or something like that. Set it to 1:1 or 100% or whatever the choices are and you'll be good to go.

 

[mechBgon]

DDR400 is often designed for 2.6 volts or higher, and looking quickly through your 7DXR's manual, I don't see where it lets you adjust memory voltage, so you *could* have issues where the board is giving the RAM 2.5V and the RAM wants a little more as it was designed for. PC2700 might be a better bet.

Bigger picture: you could add a $55 Shuttle AN35N Ultra to your order and get better performance MHz-for-MHz, USB 2.0, AGP 8X, support for the whole SocketA processor family, and it's a good overclocker. So if your 2400+ were unlocked, you could drop the multiplier to 10.0, raise the CPU and memory bus to 200MHz (DDR400), and have a sort of 2400+ on steriods. The CPU wouldn't be OC'ed, and neither would the RAM (assuming you bought DDR400), they would simply have a fatter pipe connecting them. Something to think about

 

[idoc]

Unfortunately, my board is 3 yrs old and has limited BIOS settings. Only available are DRAM Timing Settings by AUTO/MANUAL. This includes the CL, Trp, Tras, etc. No option for RAM:FSB ratioo. Thanks

 

[idoc]

mechBgon:
I'm sort of at an in-between-major ugrade stage right now. Don't need and want to spend more than I need to. The faster RAM can be used for a future major upgrade (maybe A64) so it won't be a waste. But thanks for the suggestion.

A lot of PC3200 still run on 2.5V if run at stock speeds. Nevertheless, my board has jumper settings for 2.5/2.6 and 2.7V for RAM Overvoltage. Just need to be sure it will work on my board cause will be purchasing in US but will be using in Manila, Philippines with no possibility of RMA or refund in case it doesn't. More feedback appreciated. Thanks a lot

 

[idoc]

Can anybody else offer any words of advise or encouragement? Thanks

 

[3chordcharlie]

I doubt you'll have problems - underclocking the ram by 33% will probably make up for any voltage it might feel like it's missing.