RAM in an AMD platform vs an INTEL platform

[Hampster Dance]

I have an AM2 5200+ proc, and one of my RAM sticks just died on me. So, I am looking to buy a new 2 GB set. I was thinking about over clocking this rig until I get a new computer in Q1 2008. Soooo my question is: What do I look for in RAM when buying for an AMD CPU/platform? From What I have read DDR2 operates at twice the frequency of the FSB in an INTEL system(when running memory 1:1 with fsb), but isn't the FSB different in an AMD platform? Do I still want to buy PC6400 rated ram since my FSB isn't going to go above 333 mhz? Am I just way off? Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Cogman]

The problem with FSB ratings is the fact that there are multiple multipliers in between.

I don't know what to say here as the whole thing is quite complicated, so you would be best off reading a wikipedia article on FSB and DDR2. In general, Cas, and Lat timings + FSB speed are the most important. Lower Cas timeings = better and Higher FSB = better. I would get the 6400 with fairly good timings to ensure maximum overclockability and also semi future proofing (DDR3 will take over some time)

 

[Hampster Dance]

Is there a difference in looking for ram between AMD and Intel is basically what I am asking. Thanks for the reply!

 

[themisfit610]

No difference. Don't even worry about timings or anything like that - they make very little difference, and the extra cost is only worth it to people who MUST have every last ounce of performance at any cost.

Get some cheap DDR2 800 and be done with it. Newegg has 2 gig kits for under $55. Love life.

~Misfit

 

[Hampster Dance]

I see that AMD uses HT instead of a FSB... Nice to know, haha. Going to do a little more research.

 

[magreen]

There is a large difference between Intel and AMD with memory speed. Intel systems based on the Core architecture are not sensitive to memory bandwidth since they're anyways saddled with high mem access latencies due to the FSB architecture. So higher mem speed only buys you overclocking headroom. So if you're not going to OC on Intel then you only need DDR2-533 for a 1066 FSB cpu and DDR2-667 for a 1333 FSB cpu.

Whereas with AMD X2 cpus with their integrated memory controller, memory bandwidth is key to extracting the performance potential of the cpu. So make sure you get at least DDR2-800. And you utilize that speed by setting a memory multiplier - even though the "FSB" (actually HTT) will be at 200 MHz you run the memory at double that frequency, 400 MHz, which is DDR2-800 speed (DDR and DDR2 memory are double-pumped, so their effective speed is twice their actual clock frequency).