DDR2 MHz v. CL question

[sys]

I just got an Intel D945GNT motherboard and a P4 3.0GHz Dual Core CPU. The bus speed of the CPU is 800MHz, and the supporting speeds on the motherboard for memory are 400, 533, and 667 (DDR2).

In looking for DDR2 modules -- the 400MHz CL3 seem to be about the same price is the 533MHz CL4 (I was looking at getting a 2GB kit from Crucial http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?model=D945GNT&tabid=AM They are about $230 for the kit)

Any thoughts on this? I assume the faster MHz with higher CL is better? Is there an other direction I should be looking? Another memory manufacture? Keep in mind I won't be doing much OC'ing (as Intel boards tend to frown on that

- sys

 

[sys]

Hmm.. PQI has some memory that's 533MHz, but CL4, and it's $40 less than Crucial http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141224

That seems like a winner.. Unless I'm missing something.

They also have some that's CL3, but it's DOUBLE in price

- sys

 

[mozzartusm]

In your case I wouldnt go after the fastest RAM. IF your not OCing then it would be a waste of money.

ASUS P5WD2 Premium
Intel 3.73 EE @ 5.6Ghz
XMS2 DDR2 @ 1180Mhz

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SuperPI 25secs

 

[Vapor]

Agreed.

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.

 

[BrentUnitedMem]

Higher clock speed and lower CL value performs better. The lower the CL the better the performance, but stability is worse. "better" is a relative term here.

Board spec for: <A HREF="http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/products/platforms/desktop_components/boards/classic/index.htm#board" target="_new">Intel D945GNT </A>

Most importantly:
Supported FSB: 1066 MHz / 800 MHz / 533MHz
Memory Support: DDR2 667/533/400 SDRAM 4 slots, Dual channel (4GB Max)

DDR2-533 in dual channel has an effective clock speed of 1066MHz, which matches the maxiumum bus speed of this board.

The board supports DDR2-667, but that does not mean that the board will support fully the memory. The board will have to run at FSB 1334MHz to support fully DDR2-667 in dual channel.

So the perfect match for this board is 2x DDR2-533 memory modules. If you are thinking more in the long-term, then you could get DDR2-667 now.

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