Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > General Motherboard > Will my memory work on a C2D board?
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phillips321   01-18-2008 at 08:00:34 AM

Hi guys,

I'm considering upgrading my PC.

Currently have Pentium D 820 + 3Gb Ram (DDR2 533MHz).

If i purchased a CPU+Board combo would i be able to use the memory i currently have or will i have to purchase new memory as well? I was looking at maybe a Q6600.

cheers guys

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jaguarskx   01-18-2008 at 08:54:17 AM
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You need to buy new RAM.

When Core 2 Duo was release there were a couple of motherboards that had both DDR1 and DDR2 RAM slots, but they used older chipsets and it is highly unlikely those manufactures will release a BIOS update even if it was technically possible.

Be fortunate, 2GB of Corsair XMS DDR2 5300 cost about $190 back in August 2006. Now the same RAM costs $40 - $50.

------------------------------ Q9450 |Corsair XMS 4GB DDR 800 | ABit IP35 Pro | HD 5850 | Audigy 2 | Seasonic S12 550 | Cooler Master Centurion 532 | NEC LCD2690WUXi and Planar PX2611w | WinXP

Peace on Earth by means of the destruction of all life on Earth.
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sduneman3   01-18-2008 at 10:12:18 AM
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Your DDR2 533 will work fine with the Q6600. The only way you would need new memory is if your going to overclock. Then, you would have to get new memory.

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JuiceJones   01-18-2008 at 10:40:17 AM
- 0 +

sdune is right, at stock, the Q6600 has an FSB of 266Mhz; in 1:1 ratio, that's 266 x 2 = DDR2-533. However, setting the FSB higher when overclocking will force you to loosen the timings and up voltages on the RAM, but that will only get you so far. Later on, if you plan to overclock, invest in some dirt cheap DDR2-800.


Message edited by JuiceJones on 01-18-2008 at 10:41:12 AM
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Crashman   01-18-2008 at 11:24:07 AM
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phillips321 wrote :

Hi guys,

I'm considering upgrading my PC.

Currently have Pentium D 820 + 3Gb Ram (DDR2 533MHz).

If i purchased a CPU+Board combo would i be able to use the memory i currently have or will i have to purchase new memory as well? I was looking at maybe a Q6600.

cheers guys



No, sduneman3 and JuiceJones are both wrong: it won't work on any of the P35 chipset boards I've tested. Intel no longer supports a 1:1 ratio using the 266MHz boot strap, because Intel discontinued support for DDR2-533.

I believe it will work fine with a P965 chipset motherboard however.

And why not just buy some DDR2-800? You can find good name brand stuff for around $60 a 2x1GB pair.

Reply to Crashman
JuiceJones   01-18-2008 at 10:39:40 PM
- 0 +

Was not aware Intel discontinued support for it, but seems true. Sucks, but it's not that bad considering the bargain bin prices on the stuff.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] rchInDesc=

 

DDR2-800, Cas 4, as low as $45 bucks no rebate, and $35 after rebate. May as well spring for it.


Message edited by JuiceJones on 01-18-2008 at 10:40:23 PM
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