RAM Timings VS Speed

[Addikt]

I was looking at building an Athlon 64 3000+ system and while choosing memeory I was eyeing the OCZ EL series PC3200 @ 400MHz with timings of 2-3-2-6. I also have the option however, of buying the PC3500 @ 433MHz with timings of 2-3-3-7. Now my question, first which would you choose and why? Also what is the point of having RAM with speeds in excess of 400MHz if the Bus/HT on CPUs run @ 400 MHz anyways? Wouldn't the extra speed make no difference?

Finally what is the significance of the latencies and the speed? Don't they both measure the same thing...I'm a little confused here...

 

[speedypc]

What is the bus speed of your motherboard?

 

[MichaelZ]

Also what is the point of having RAM with speeds in excess of 400MHz if the Bus/HT on CPUs run @ 400 MHz anyways?

the point is to run ram and fsb @ 1:1 ratio. if you're not overclocking, the faster ram will offer absolutly no benefits to u. also, timings and speed both matter. 3448 @ 1:1 can be slower than 2226 @ 5:4 on P4 setups. timings matter even less on a A64 rig. so spend wisely...