memory bandwidth question

[sykopath79]

I'm running 1 GB Mushkin Level II PC3500 (DDR433) for my Barton 2500+ OC, have it running 11x200 (3200+) hence RAM is at 400 MHz DDR, or PC3200 speeds. I understand that this should be working out to 3.2 GB/sec of memory bandwidth.

The oddity: when I run memtest86, it reports my memory bandwidth as only 1412 MB/sec, or ~1.4 GB/sec. Less than half of what I thought I should have at DDR400.

What gives?

 

[joe2004]

Memtest reports it correctly if that is AMD board. With Intel board and 2.6C processor you would get about 2.7-2.8. Overclocked to 250 FSB with 5:4 would give you 2.9. Over 3.0 it is possible only with the fastest processors like 3.0C or 3.2C, or overclocked. All depends on timmings as well.
3.2 GB/sec is unheard for me in a normal setup. Only A-Data, Geil PC 4300 or OCZ 4300 and similar can go that high.

I would not put too much emphasys on the bandwidth, Pentium always comes as a winner. I run my Barton at 2.3 GHz and my 2.4C at 3.25 GHz with rather similar components and then I use SuperPi to 2 MB digits and both Pentium and Barton do it in 100 seconds. Pentium rig reports almost twice bigger bandwidth. I run 3DMark2001SE and my Pentium rig beats Barton by about 400-500 marks, nothing dramatic at all. So I would not think bandwidth comparison between AMD and Intel are telling much.

 

[sykopath79]

OK cool... good to know. I was just concerned that something might be f00ked with my overclock.