What memory speed to get for an overclocked conroe system?

[wackypete]

I'm looking to build a new rig based on one of these new conroe processors. I would like to know your recommendations on memory speeds for such a system. I not too clear on how memory speeds work with the FSB (all those ratios and stuff mean nothing to me). I want to buy the 2.4GHz conroe and overclock it as much as possible. Does this mean I need memory that runs at 1067MHz? Or will DDR 667/800 do? Thanks in advance for you help.

 

[bobdelt]

I could be wrong but this is my understanding.

For DDR2 800 to reach its potential, the fsb has to be 400mhz (quad pumped so 1600mhz)
DDR2 667, 333 fsb = 1333 quad pumped
ddr2 533 = 266 = 1066 quad pumped (which conroe runs at)

So, I dont think you need more than ddr2 800 if you plan to do heavey overclocking. I also have seen benchmarks showing the difference in speeds is almost neglible in performance.

 

[River Side]

hmm actually it's with AMD 64 that the differences are minor.. with Intel i believe memory does make a lot of difference..

 

[wackypete]

Thanks for the response.

Lets say, for example that my FSB is running at (266 x 4) = 1066MHz. Would there be a noticeable speed improvement by using memory that ran at 1066MHz? Would the memory have to wait every 4 cycles? Is DDR 533 all that the system could handle in this case? Thanks again.

 

[wackypete]

With a mobo like the ASUS P5W-DH is there a good probability that the FSB can reach speeds of >= 1333MHz after tinkering with the bios? Or, is it the case, that the lucky few reach these speeds?

 

[secretanchitman]

i was gonna start a new thread, but i guess this thread works fine.

im planning to get the 2x1GB G.Skill DDR2-800 kit from newegg that is $240. would that be a nice compliment to my "soon be" system that has an E6600 and an Asus P5W-DH Deluxe mobo, or would i need different ddr2-800 memory? im not looking to spend over 300 bucks on ram...

 

[Howard]

Well, let's say you can hit an FSB of 400MHz. With an E6600 (2.4GHz) that's 3.6GHz and needs memory running at DDR2-800 - that is, without using dividers (ratios). You can use dividers to run the memory faster than the FSB but the gains are negligible. According to the Conroe buying guide in Anandtech.com all the DDR2-533/667 memory they tested ran at DDR2-800 at 4-4-4-12 or better.

 

[wackypete]

Thanks Howard, that's exactly what I wanted to know!