Relationship between CPU FSB and memory speed

[grunt123]

I read from somewhere in this forum that memory clock speed doesn't have to be faster than CPU FSB clock speed. (since there will be no performance gain.) Is this true? ... My FSB is 166Mhz (default) and my overclocked memory speed is 222Mhz ... should i try to raise FSB to get better performance?

thanks

 

[Coyote]

If it's an AMD system, you want the cpu and ram FSB to be in synch (the same FSB speed).

I understand Intel systems can benefit from having the ram faster than the cpu (unlike AMD).

If it's an amd system, set your cpu FSB/Dram Ration to 1:1 (or equivelent 5:5, 6:6). Now when you raise the FSB, it will do so for both cpu and ram.

Next time please post your systems spec, you'll get better answers.

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X200)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win98SE

 

[Crashman]

You want the bandwidth to be the same. That means for AMD processors with "400MHz" bus, DDR400 is fine. But for Intel processors with "400MHz" bus, DDR400 would be prefered, but not necessarily compatable with those boards...which is why Intel chipsets often use Dual Channel for "800MHz" busses, 2xDDR400 matches the 800MHz CPU bus data rate.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[jammydodger]

You can run your memory at a greater speed than the FSB and you will still get a small performance gain but not huge.

 

[Killand8]

So If I have 4x256mb DDR400 in Dual channel I will not get higher benefit of 2x512mb DDR400 in dual channel? With an 2500+ overcloaked at 3200+ (FSB 166->200)

 

[Crashman]

I don't know of any nForce2 boards that have 4 memory slots. And A64's are normally supporting 3 slots as well, so 4 DIMMs wouldn't leave you with a good upgrade path later.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Killand8]

I have a <A HREF="http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/MotherBoard/Products/Products_Spec_GA-7N400-L.htm" target="_new">Gigabyte GA-7N400-L</A>