would slower DDR2 be a bad combo for Athlon 64 X2s?

[alizee]

So, my current HTPC has a single core Athlon 64 3000+ and 1GB RAM. I'm looking at upgrading because I'm seeing some stutters when watching HD, and it seems like it's an issue with not having enough RAM and having a slower CPU and I'd like to upgrade (for not very much money).

I was looking at an Athlon 4000+, a cheap AM2+ motherboard and using some of the RAM that I already have (sitting in static bags waiting for a system), which is 3GB of PC4200, DDR2-533 (2x1GB and 2x512).

Would this be a bad idea seeing as the RAM isn't DDR2-800? I've seen some benchmarks for Intel CPUs and slower DDR2, but not any AMD benchmarks so it seems like its kind of a wildcard.

A little off topic, but still pertinent, I was also looking at upgrading the CPU and RAM, but 939 dual core prices are pretty high and DDR-400 prices are twice that of DDR2 (~$80 for 2x1GB instead of ~$40). I looked on the FS/T forums and didn't really see any 939 dualies for sale (and plenty of WTBs for them), so my hopes were dashed for finding them used.

Thanks, sorry for the rambling post.

 

[error8]

For an AM2 setup is recommended to use 800 mhz ddr2, but I don't think you'll notice a performance drop with 533 ddr2 in a HTPC. Also you need to have a dual core for HD movies, because the 3000+ is the one that gives you all the stuttering. A cheap HD3000 series card will also be a good investment for a HTPC, being able to fully decode H.264/AVC.

And don't invest in a 939 cpu or ram or anything, is to old and it doesn't worth it.

 

[magreen]

You're right, memory speed is largely irrelevant for intel cpus. But it's critical for am2 x2 cpus with their integrated memory controller.

Depending on the application, switching from ddr2-533 to 800 on an AM2 X2 cpu you'll see a 20% increase in gaming performance, 12% improvement in superpi score (yippee!) and a whopping 30-40% increase in the bandwidth-sensitive winrar performance. I don't have numbers for hd video playback, however.

If you want proof I could dig up some references.

 

[Atif]

Take a look at NinjaHippo.com, there's two articles there that should help clear up your questions

Peace