Which RAM speed do I want?

[dpavshak]

Ok I got E8400 Wolfdale 3ghz 1333 FSB. I also got ASUS P5K PRO LGA 775. I want to know which RAM i can run with that setup. I was told to match the FSB, but im not sure if that is true. I want to go with 800 speed but dont know if i can.

 

[smartel7070]

Do you plan on overclocking ? If you do then 800mhz ram will allow you to get that e8400 to 3.6ghz easily. If you don't plan to oc then 667mhz ram is all you need but at current prices I say go for 800mhz ram. You can run at 1:1 ratio and have room for oc if you ever decide to go that way.

 

[dpavshak]

no, i do not plan to overclock but, i dont have to match ram speed with my FSB? im confused.

 

[chookman]

^agreed

 

[geofelt]

Go to a ram vendor's web site and run their configurator. Enter your mobo, and get a list of compatible parts. Corsair, Patriot, Kingston, Ocz have them, and others do too.
Here is a list from Corsair for your mobo:
http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=393425#other_modules
DDR2-800 is all you need. I would pick a low cost 4gb kit that runs at 1.8 or 1.9 volts which is standard.
Twin2x4096-6400c5dhx for example.

 

[WR2]

How much work are you willing to do to get un-confused?

Or is it enough to know that DDR2 800 is what you want and that your motherboard knows how to handle the DDR2 800 RAM and 1333FSB CPU?

 

[smartel7070]

Well here is some info on Core2 Duo regarding cpu, fsb and ram

fsb is quad pumped so X 4
ram is ddr so X 2
cpu speed is fsb real speed X cpu multiplier

So for your E8400 it goes like this

fsb = 1333 / 4 = 333 real fsb speed
ram is 333 x 2 = 667
so cpu speed is 333 x 9 = 2997mhz