Does CPU and RAM have to work at same Frequency?

[ladic]

Hi, I my current MoBo supports up to 400fsb, my current CPU is an Athlon XP 2400+ (266fsb) and my ram is 1gig pc2700 (333fsb).
So is my ram running at 266 to synch with the cpu or is that totally independant? or is it running at 333?

 

[sparky853]

If your FSB is 266, your RAM will more than likely be running at 266MHz, unless you have changed it manually in the BIOS.

Spec:
Intel P4 2.4B
MSI 645E Max-U Mobo
512MB DDR333
R9600XT 128MB
SB Live 5.1
WD 60GB
Maxtor 120GB
LG DVD+-R/RW
WIN2K PRO SP4

 

[P4Man]

You can run your memory faster than your FSB, but its not likely to make a huge difference. The FSB can't handle the bandwith, so only the lower latency (in absolute terms, not in CAS latency) of the higher clocked memory could help a bit. this is partially offset by increased latency of running fsb and memory bus asynch. net results may be a few unnoticeable percent better performance

If you want to try it, go in your bios and set fsb/memory to 133/166 if it has such an option.

= The views stated herein are my personal views, and not necessarily the views of my wife. =

 

[ladic]

So if my ram is indeed running at 266, is there much diff between that and 333?

 

[Ed_Phoon]

I think you won't notice any different by running the ram at 133mhz(266ddr) or 166mhz(333fsb).
However, if you want to squeeeze the last drop of power, why not run some benchmarks with both 133mhz and 166mhz ram speed.

 

[TheRod]

Do you have an nForce2 based motherboard? Because nForce2 board are known to have better performance in SYNCH mode... Where FSB/RAM are at the same speed.

But you can easily see the difference in perfromance by running 2 or 3 basic benchamrk, like PcMark or 3DMark...

--
Would you buy a GPS enabled soap bar?

 

[ladic]

yes, I have an asus nforce2 mobo I just bought, one of those deluxe ones.

 

[P4Man]

why do i need to quote myself :/

net results may be a few unnoticeable percent better performance

= The views stated herein are my personal views, and not necessarily the views of my wife. =

 

[Titanion]

I am not sure if I am missing the boat here, but run your cpu at 166/333... if it is multiplier locked, then you should be able to get to 148 MHz or so...

<font color=red><b>The mind is in its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.</b></font color=red>
John Milton, <i>Paradise Lost</i>, Book II