Is RAM speed critical?

[Morganza]

I have a Biostar MB that, according to Biostar and NewEgg, requires DDR2 800MHz RAM. (It's a new board with no RAM installed yet.) On the Biostar site, in the "Memory Report" section for this board, it has a long list of RAM that are at speeds from 533 up to 800. They don't specifically say so, but I'm assuming that this is a list of RAM that has been tested and proven to work with this board.

My question is, do I have to use an 800mhz RAM?

If I use slower speed RAM, can I use any manufactures RAM or should I use only what is listed on the Biostar site?

This computer will have very low demand and I don't really want to pay for a faster RAM than necessary.

This is the manufacturers site for this board:
http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en-us/t-series/content.php?S_ID=306
The "Memory Report" is found under the "TEST REPORT" link.

Thanks

 

[godless]

the 800mhz refers to the biggest speed that the mobo supports. of course you can choose a slower ram or even downclock you ram to run at slower speeds. to save a few bucks you can get slower ram, but i would not recommend getting cheap ram, because you might have stability issues, or it won't last as long.

 

[Morganza]

OK, thanks. That's what I wanted to hear!