Corsair 675MHz DDR2 / Asus M2N32-SLI -What Processor to buy?

[intrahome]

I just read the article on Memory speed vs. AMD memory clock compatiblity and now I'm totally confused about the speed divider. It seems to me that the X2 4000+ is the best deal because of the 1MB L2 Cache and the faster DDR2-800 Memory Clock, but I just bought matched DDR2 5400 675MHz Memory (really good deal) and based on what this article is saying, It doesn't look like the 5400 memory will give the 4000+ any advantage because its not 800MHz. Should I return the memory for Corsair 6400 (800MHz), buy the 4200+ chip with a closer memory clock compatibility, or stop over-analysing the data?

Any insight would be much appreciated
Thanks

 

[RichPLS]

AM2 with mem speeds lower than 800MHz have little or no performance increase over DDR memory...
but even with 800MHz DDR2 memory, performance is only then on par to slightly faster than DDR...
It is up to you... but if you want performance, return it and get a Conroe

 

[BaronMatrix]

I just read the article on Memory speed vs. AMD memory clock compatiblity and now I'm totally confused about the speed divider. It seems to me that the X2 4000+ is the best deal because of the 1MB L2 Cache and the faster DDR2-800 Memory Clock, but I just bought matched DDR2 5400 675MHz Memory (really good deal) and based on what this article is saying, It doesn't look like the 5400 memory will give the 4000+ any advantage because its not 800MHz. Should I return the memory for Corsair 6400 (800MHz), buy the 4200+ chip with a closer memory clock compatibility, or stop over-analysing the data?

Any insight would be much appreciated
Thanks

That's nto actually how it works. Theoretically, the AM2 with ANY DDR2 should be at least as fast as 939. having low latency is what is best for Athlon. BTW, hurry if you want a 1MB chip they are disappearing as AMD is phasing them out.

Anyway, using 667 at CAS 4 or CAS 3 will give a small increase over slower 800 theoretically with AMDs IMC. No one has really done latency tests at 667 so it's hard to say, but looking at how 800 scales with latency, I would assume that 667 would be the same. Also, you're right the way A64 mem dividers work, odd multipliers produce a slightly lower speed, but there may not be much difference between 742 running at 4-3-4-9 and 800 running the same.


- off topic -

I'd like to see a comprehensive suite fo tsts at ALL the DDR2 speeds with the Sempron, TurionX2, X2, FX.

 

[Heyyou27]

If I was getting an AM2 system and was looking to have the fastest memory possible, I'd get this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145033
It guarantees bragging rights, even to Conroe fans who won't be able to use that memory bandwidth!

 

[intrahome]

So, based on what I'm hearing, I'm ok with the DDR2 5400 at 675MHz which is really close to the 6400 800MHz and I shouldn't make a big deal over it. Any opinion on the AM2 X2 4000+ vs the 4200+ given the difference in L2 Cache being twice the size on the slower 4000+ chip? There is a huge price increase between the 4200 and the 4600 chips - $230.00 so I don't want to go much higher than the 4400 chip

 

[Heyyou27]

Get the 4000+, and if you really want the extra speed you can overclock.

 

[BaronMatrix]

So, based on what I'm hearing, I'm ok with the DDR2 5400 at 675MHz which is really close to the 6400 800MHz and I shouldn't make a big deal over it. Any opinion on the AM2 X2 4000+ vs the 4200+ given the difference in L2 Cache being twice the size on the slower 4000+ chip? There is a huge price increase between the 4200 and the 4600 chips - $230.00 so I don't want to go much higher than the 4400 chip

There are no more 1MB chips. It's either 3800+, 4200+ or 4600+. That means you can't get a 4000+ 4400+, or 4800+.

The 4800+ still exists for 939 but not AM2. Believe me with a 4200+ you will be fine. With no extra voltage you can turn the HT up to 220 and run as a 4600+. I (recently) stay at 210/2300 but it's possible with the stock fan and voltage.