Which RAM speed for X2 5000+ or E5400?

[fuzzy33]

Hi, I would appreciate your advice on RAM speed.

I'm thinking of getting a new desktop with either an Athlon X2 5000+ (NForce 430 chipset) or a C2D E5400 (with Intel G965 Express Chipset), which I would not overclock.

It would be used for the usual stuff plus photo editing and storage, not for gaming, and I would like it to be ready for Vista 32bit Aero.

I plan to get 2 gig dual channel DDR2 RAM, but I don't know if I should get 533 MHz or 667 MHz, for either CPU

What do you think?

Fuzzy33

 

[1Tanker]

Hi, I would appreciate your advice on RAM speed.

I'm thinking of getting a new desktop with either an Athlon X2 5000+ (NForce 430 chipset) or a C2D E5400 (with Intel G965 Express Chipset), which I would not overclock.

It would be used for the usual stuff plus photo editing and storage, not for gaming, and I would like it to be ready for Vista 32bit Aero.

I plan to get 2 gig dual channel DDR2 RAM, but I don't know if I should get 533 MHz or 667 MHz, for either CPU

What do you think?

Fuzzy33

For any C2D(E6400), DDR2-533 is all you need. For any AM2 processor(X2 5000+), DDR2-800 is the standard, and going with slower RAM will degrade performance. GL

 

[fuzzy33]

Thank you.

For any AM2 processor(X2 5000+), DDR2-800 is the standard, and going with slower RAM will degrade performance.

It's interesting that the AM2's run best with a DDR2-800. In the US and Canada anyway, the only memory Dell offers for its AM2's (Models E521, C521 and C510) is 533 MHz.

Fuzzy33

 

[Threshold]

It's DELL. What did you expect? Of COURSE they're going to use the lowest quality they can get away with-then again, nearly everybody else (system builder companies) does it too, so I'm not JUST complaining about Dell.

Sorry if I come off a bit strong, but seriously. If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. Oh, and it's cheaper, too!

 

[rwaritsdario]

If you get 533 for C2D make sure it has low latency (4 or 3) but even so high speed RAM (800 and above) has proven to increase overall performance.
In the X2s worry only about speed, DDR 800 with 4-4-4-12 timings is the most viable right now (unless your motherboard recommends another specific RAM for overclocking) because you can overclock it to DDR 1000 CL5.

 

[fuzzy33]

Thanks for the advice, 1Tanker, Threshold and Rwaritsdario

Fuzzy33

 

[rwaritsdario]

yw