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e8400 not compatible with ddr2-533?

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doomsdaydave11   02-19-2008 at 12:31:52 AM

I was looking around, and it seems that Intel's e8400 is not compatible with my old DDR2-533 RAM that I am using right now? Is this true? If so, then that sucks, because I just bought 3 gigs thinking that it would work fine (I was originally gonna buy a Phenom 9500)

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epsilon84   02-19-2008 at 12:45:32 AM
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doomsdaydave11 wrote :

I was looking around, and it seems that Intel's e8400 is not compatible with my old DDR2-533 RAM that I am using right now? Is this true? If so, then that sucks, because I just bought 3 gigs thinking that it would work fine (I was originally gonna buy a Phenom 9500)

 

A stock E8400 needs DDR2-667 minimum for the RAM to run in sync with the FSB. Maybe your DDR2-533 will run at DDR2-667 speeds anyway, if it doesn't, perhaps increasing VDIMM (RAM voltage) or relaxing the memory timings will allow it to run at 667MHz. I have to ask though, in this day and age, where even DDR2-800 is so cheap, why the heck did you get DDR2-533?!

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Message edited by epsilon84 on 02-19-2008 at 12:46:57 AM
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doomsdaydave11   02-19-2008 at 12:49:59 AM
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epsilon84 wrote :

A stock E8400 needs DDR2-667 minimum for the RAM to run in sync with the FSB. Maybe your DDR2-533 will run at DDR2-667 speeds anyway. I have to ask though, in this day and age, where even DDR2-800 is so cheap, why the heck did you get DDR2-533?!


I got DDR2-533 in 2006. Back then there was a huge difference for RAM prices. I first bought 2x512MB for my current mobo for $100. DDR2-800 at that time cost almost $200. Seeing that there wasn't that much of a difference in performance, I decided not to get faster RAM. Then, last year, 1GB really wasn't enough RAM, so I got a new 1GB stick for $75. Again, the DDR2-800 cost a LOT more. More recently, I bought another gig for my current mobo, thinking that it would be fine for the next (I was gonna get an Phenom 9500 like I mentioned before). It seemed like a waste to buy all my ram all over again.

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zenmaster   02-19-2008 at 01:03:22 AM
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The Value of computer components deteriorate rapidly.
I've seen 2gb of DDR2-667 for less than $20!
DDR2-800 can be had for less than $30!

Most things you bought a couple years ago for a premium price have little value. Why so concerned about RAM? It's not like it's going to cost you more than a pitance to upgrade that.

------------------------------ If its good in theory but not in practice,
its not good theory.
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epsilon84   02-19-2008 at 01:12:10 AM
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doomsdaydave11 wrote :

I got DDR2-533 in 2006. Back then there was a huge difference for RAM prices. I first bought 2x512MB for my current mobo for $100. DDR2-800 at that time cost almost $200. Seeing that there wasn't that much of a difference in performance, I decided not to get faster RAM. Then, last year, 1GB really wasn't enough RAM, so I got a new 1GB stick for $75. Again, the DDR2-800 cost a LOT more. More recently, I bought another gig for my current mobo, thinking that it would be fine for the next (I was gonna get an Phenom 9500 like I mentioned before). It seemed like a waste to buy all my ram all over again.



Fair enough. Like I said, there is a good chance your RAM will run at DDR2-667 speeds anyway, I've seen DDR2-533 overclocked to DDR2-800 with increased VDIMM, so your chances are good.

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doomsdaydave11   02-19-2008 at 01:55:44 AM
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Just wondering. I really don't like to waste money. Why buy 3 gigs of new RAM when you can use the old ones just the same?

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