I am looking at building an intel quad core rig. but do not want to step into ddr3 yet. I have read some reviews that say that without 1333 mhz ram you cannot get the 3.0ghz on the QX9650. I have also looked at the Q6600 if I will be unable to use ddr2 with the QX9650. I do some gamming mostly FSX and COD4 and am really just building it as a hobby (just completed a AMD 6400, asus crosshair, 8 GB geil ddr2, 150 raptor X, 2 geforce 8800 gt sli) and am wanting to build a sweet intel rig. I dont plan on doing much overclocking, maybe 3.8- 4.0 ghz on the QX9650 just for fun. I guess my question is can I use ddr2 and still get the 3.0 ghz stock speed? I want to make this as future proof as possible but dont want ddr3 until more becomes availiable. What kinda overclock can I expect with a thermal right extreme 120 HSF on both the Q6600 and the QX9650? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Jason

Ok I didn't read the whole post. I'm answering your question about FSB/DRAM ratios.

If your processor has a FSB of 1333:

1) If you use PC10666 (DDR3 1333) your FSB/DRAM ratio will be 1:2

2) If you use PC5300 (DDR2 667) your FSB/DRAM ratio will be 1:1

DDR...Double Data Rate. DDR3 1333 (1333 * 2 = 2666). DDR2 667 (667 * 2 = 1333)

DDR DRAM information


Other members should be able to answer the rest of your questions.

Uhhh didn't Tom's get the QX9650 to 3.8GHz using DDR2-800 with latencies of CL 4.0-4-4-12? They OCed the thing an extra 11% without any voltage tweaking! Sweet.

Go with whatever DDR2 you can find, crank up the QX9650 and just change the ratio to suit. I think DDR2 800MHz is still a good buy right now, so you can upgrade to DDR3 later without too much wallet (or purse) agony.

Thanks for the replies. I am glad to here that the qx9650 will work with ddr2. Any word on when the qx9770 will (or is supposed to) come out and what the price will be? Just wondering if I should wait for the extra 200 mhz. Also is anyone expecting the price of the qx9650 to drop when the q9550 releases?

Thanks in advance
Jason

zpyrd, close, but you have it wrong. DDR 1333 is at 667 mhz, DDR 667 is at 333 mhz. Processors speed is quad pumped, so at FSB 1333, you are operating at 333 mhz x your multiplier. So DDR 667 is 1:1 with FSB 1333, but not because it doubles to meet the FSB.

Yes I am wrong. Thanks for the correction.
I mixed up DDR memory and dual channel mode motherboards.

My dumb ass mistake.

Isn't the qx9650 "extreme" edition? unlocked multiplier?

yes it does have an unlocked multiplier

The DDR2 is a function of the mother board. I am using the Asus Formula Maximus SE and Q9650 DDR 8500 1066 mem. This MOBO uses DDR2 maximum of 8gig. It goes 3600 OC using the OC software that comes with the MOBO using the automatic settings. It will also Underclock to 1700 to save power. Fun to play with.
Dan