MSI K7N2 Motherboard + RAM

[NiceSocks]

The K7N2 says it *supports* pc3200 ram (400mhz), and I know it does since i have 256megs of it on that board, but does it really use that speed when its using the ram? Would I get the same performance from pc2700 ram?

I want to get another 256megs and pc2700 is 20-25 dollars cheaper, and if the board isn't taking advantage of the high speed of the pc3200 ram, i might as well get the pc2700.

So does it run it at 400mhz? And would mixing and matching two different speed ram cause me problems?

Thanks.

 

[Doh!]

So does it run it at 400mhz?

The real question is "are you running them at 400mhz?" What is the DRAM frequency setting or CPU FSB/DRAM ratio you've set in the bios? With nForce2 boards, it would be better to set them at sync. with your cpu fsb speed rather than using the higher DRAM frequecy and lower cpu fsb.

You can use PC3200 and PC2700 together. Again, the question comes down to how will you set up your system? Will you be tweaking/overclocking to maximize the performance or will you be running everything at standard spec.?

 

[NiceSocks]

I'll be running everything at normal speeds, I've got a 2100+XP

When I boot up it says DDR or DRAM 400 mhz. I'm not sure about the ratio, i'll check later when I can reboot.

Thx for the reply.

 

[TimeKeeper]

It will automatically post the spec of your RAM at boot screen. However, it does NOT run at 400DDR speed.
Unless you specifically want it to run at 400mhz. In your BIOS ->Advance Chipset Feature->FSB/DRAM ratio
and set it to "manual". then pick 3:4 or 3:5. (I am using N2G-LISR, but should be the same)

 

[NiceSocks]

Why wouldn't it automatically run at the 400mhz speed? Will it really be worse to have the ram running faster than the cpu bus?

 

[Doh!]

Originally posted by: NiceSocks
Why wouldn't it automatically run at the 400mhz speed? Will it really be worse to have the ram running faster than the cpu bus?

I think it wouldn't run at 400mhz automatically since the default setting will be set in accordance with your cpu spec. As far as the performance difference between 400mhz (Async) vc. 333mhz (Sync), check Anand's or various websites' nForce2 benchmarks. All of them show better performance running at sync. in most benchmarks.

 

[NiceSocks]

jeez... well guess i should of bought the cheaper stuff

 

[Doh!]

Well, if you want to run your memory at 400mhz & take full advantages of its higher rating, increase the cpu fsb to 200mhz and set the cpu fsb:memory ration to 1:1. I cannot guarantee it will work since I don't know what kind of cpu you have but many have experienced success at that speed. But don't do it at one shot. Increase the cpu fsb by small increment & make sure stability is achieved by running cpu/memory intensive applications (ie., prime, memtest, 3dmark). Also, you need to play with memory settings. Its probably at spd (default) but you can increase the numbers and once you achieve a certain speed, try more aggressive settings (decrease the numbers).

 

[NiceSocks]

Thanks but I dont think I should do that. I have an amd 2100+ and it runs hot enough as it is, I don't think i should play around trying to up the bus like that. Thanks for all the help though, i really appreciate it.