AM2+ and DDR2, should I go with 4 GB of 1066 or 6 GB of 800?
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I was reading around on the forums and I thought I read something about AM2+ mobos are not able to use 1066 DDR2 ram effectively. If that is the case, I have 2 GB of PC800 DDR2 RAM sitting around doing nothing. Would I be better off running 2x2GB sticks of 1066 DDR2 and 2x1GB sticks of 800 DDR2 all at 800 MHz?
If I'm really not careful, I can use up all 4 GBs of RAM, but with a little paying attention it's not hard to keep at least 1GB free at all times. 6 GB would be nicer, but I want to go for the best speed with one or two programs running over the best speed with 8 running.
If I'm really not careful, I can use up all 4 GBs of RAM, but with a little paying attention it's not hard to keep at least 1GB free at all times. 6 GB would be nicer, but I want to go for the best speed with one or two programs running over the best speed with 8 running.
More about : am2 ddr2 1066 800
I guess define "effictivly" - if you mean will a jump from 800->1066 MHz yielding a 25% gain then NEVER. Ditto with 1333->1600 MHz yielding 17% gain. The gain may be anywhere from a lesser performance to a minimal gain 2-5%. It's ALL about the IC, CAS disparity, and somewhat about the speed; it's a complicated and surprising reality.
Look at the Speeds vs Benches in this example:
Overclock:
Comparison Module #1: Mushkin Redline 996805 6-8-6-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #2: G.Skill Pi Series 7-8-7-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #3: Mushkin 998687 8-9-8-24 1866MHz
Comparison Module #4: Corsair Dominator TR3X6G1600C8D 8-8-8-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #5: Kingston HyperX T1 9-9-9-27 1600MHz
Comparison Module #6: Mushkin Blackline 998677B 7-7-7-20 1333MHz
Comparison Module #7: Patriot Viper II Sector 7 9-9-9-27 1800MHz
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Stock:
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Look at the Speeds vs Benches in this example:
Overclock:
Comparison Module #1: Mushkin Redline 996805 6-8-6-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #2: G.Skill Pi Series 7-8-7-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #3: Mushkin 998687 8-9-8-24 1866MHz
Comparison Module #4: Corsair Dominator TR3X6G1600C8D 8-8-8-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #5: Kingston HyperX T1 9-9-9-27 1600MHz
Comparison Module #6: Mushkin Blackline 998677B 7-7-7-20 1333MHz
Comparison Module #7: Patriot Viper II Sector 7 9-9-9-27 1800MHz
Stock:
You need to run them ALL at 800 MHz, Manually set the CAS to the SLOWEST {6 vs 7 -> 7 is slowest}, and 'try' to average the rated Voltage. However, mix-matched RAM is never a good idea and we see 5-10 posts per day with this same or similar issue.
Example:
1066 7-7-7-25 @ 1.6V
800 5-5-5-27 @ 1.5V
================
800 7-7-7-27 @ 1.55V
However, if it were 'me' I'd yank and eBay the 2X1GB PNY. 4GB should be fine unless you running Pro Image or Rendering.
Example:
1066 7-7-7-25 @ 1.6V
800 5-5-5-27 @ 1.5V
================
800 7-7-7-27 @ 1.55V
However, if it were 'me' I'd yank and eBay the 2X1GB PNY. 4GB should be fine unless you running Pro Image or Rendering.
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