Please help clear up some confusion about DDR2 memory and Core 2 Duos

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,128
1,294
126
Hey everyone.

I've searched, and I can't find a good answer to my question. I, and several of my friends, have Core 2 Duo systems. We all have E6600s (I'm apparently a trend setter).

My understanding is that since the system has a 1066MHz bus and since the memory is dual channel, we only need 533MHz memory and that outside of overclocking, there is no significant benefit to having memory any faster than that. Is that correct?

Please, include as many gory details as you like.

Thanks for your time.
 

PCTC2

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2007
3,892
33
91
well, actually, DDR2-1066 is at 533MHz. Technically you don't, but i guess with Intel Setups (i've heard) you don't need to run at 1:1 always.
The actual bus of the C2Ds right now is 266Mhz (quadpumped to 1066). DDR2-533 would not be good for OCing because you have very little headroom to OC.
So, to answer your question, DDR2-800 (400Mhz) is fine for most average OCs (up to about 3.7GHz on a E6600), and DDR2-1066 (533MHz as you pointed out) is fine for almost all OC jobs. Outside of OCing, DDR2-667 would probably be better than DDR2-533. All you get is slightly better bandwidth, timings, and speed.
 

Shimmishim

Elite Member
Feb 19, 2001
7,504
0
76
I will have to agree that if you're not o/c-ing, there is no real gain to getting more than ddr2-533.

you do have the 4:5 and 2:3 ratios available to you which would put your mem at ddr2-667 and ddr2-800.

you could get ddr2-800 mem and run at 2:3. the extra bandwidth won't gain you whole bunch of performance.

To be safe, just go with some cheapo ddr2-800. There are some supertalent 2x1 gig ddr2-800 sets selling for around $130 which should suit you very nicely.