I hope this is not a dumb question.

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So If I have 1 ddr2-800 stick the memeory speed is 800mhz?

If I add another 1ddr2-800 stick in dual channel the memory speed is still 800mhz?



Thanks for all your replies, really appreaciate it!

Pretty much. We're arguing semantics here. The RAM is running at 400 double pumped (800 effective) If you have 2 sticks, then they are running at a sort of "quad pumped" 1600 effective. They are still technically running at 400, but are transferring data 4 times per clock cycle instead of once. This isn't really what matters. For all practical purposes, you are moving at 1600. If you have a FSB of 1333, then the RAM will be underclocked to 1333 by default or run asynchronously at 1600. DDR2-800 will be fine up to FSB 1600. If you want to OC higher than 1600, and you might with a 1333 base FSB, get 1066 RAM, or 800 RAM that overclocks well.


So overclocking anymore than 1600 will cause bottleneck? So for the most part this was what I was thinking, but getting confused with actual Ram speed vs. frequencies. So when I do overclock my system to 1600 my memory will be a good fit. Now the question will be, how will it do with 4 exact sticks at 1GB ddr2-800 each in XP Pro?, I understand in Vista 32 the performance is downgraded compare to two, but shines in Vista Ultamte 64.

Thanks all!
 
Just stop! You are killing me! I want to go jump out the window! EXAMPLE Basically your FSB is quad pumped, your memory is double pumped and your CPU is single pumped. Ok... so say we have a Core 2 E6400, a P5b Deluxe and 3 Gb of DDR-2 800 ram. Stock speeds on the processor is 266 * 8 = 2.13. The FSB on the board is also at 266, but since it is quad pumped it comes out to be 1064 (1066 is rated speed). The ram is running 1:1 ratio, so the ram is running at 266 double pumped (Double Data rate) which makes it run at 533 MHz. Ok, so I take my FSB from 266 all the way up to 400. The processor is single pumped, so the resulting frequency would be 400 * 8 = 3.2 GHz. The FSB is quad pumped, so it comes up to 400 * 4 = 1600 MHz. Since I am running my memory at a 1:1 ratio, the memory frequency increases to 400 and since it is double pumped the resulting frequency would be 400 * 2 = 800 MHz. Make sense?

You are not bottlenecked at 1600 either. Lets say you luck out and have a really good MOBO, Processor and ram. Lets say that you can get your FSB all the way up to 500. Ok, same processor, same motherboard, and same ram. The resulting processor speed is 500 * 8 = 4.0 GHz. The resulting FSB is 500 * 4 = 2000 MHz and the resulting memory speed even though it may be rated DDR-2 800 MHz, is 500 * 2 = 1000MHz.

No matter if you have 1, 2, 3 or 4 Gb of ram, all the ram in the slots are going to run the same speed. What makes the ram speed increase or decrease is by changing the FSB and what Memory to the FSB ratio is used. The usual ratio's are 1:1, 2:3, 4:5.

crim
 
Just stop! You are killing me! I want to go jump out the window! EXAMPLE Basically your FSB is quad pumped, your memory is double pumped and your CPU is single pumped. Ok... so say we have a Core 2 E6400, a P5b Deluxe and 3 Gb of DDR-2 800 ram. Stock speeds on the processor is 266 * 8 = 2.13. The FSB on the board is also at 266, but since it is quad pumped it comes out to be 1064 (1066 is rated speed). The ram is running 1:1 ratio, so the ram is running at 266 double pumped (Double Data rate) which makes it run at 533 MHz. Ok, so I take my FSB from 266 all the way up to 400. The processor is single pumped, so the resulting frequency would be 400 * 8 = 3.2 GHz. The FSB is quad pumped, so it comes up to 400 * 4 = 1600 MHz. Since I am running my memory at a 1:1 ratio, the memory frequency increases to 400 and since it is double pumped the resulting frequency would be 400 * 2 = 800 MHz. Make sense?

You are not bottlenecked at 1600 either. Lets say you luck out and have a really good MOBO, Processor and ram. Lets say that you can get your FSB all the way up to 500. Ok, same processor, same motherboard, and same ram. The resulting processor speed is 500 * 8 = 4.0 GHz. The resulting FSB is 500 * 4 = 2000 MHz and the resulting memory speed even though it may be rated DDR-2 800 MHz, is 500 * 2 = 1000MHz.

No matter if you have 1, 2, 3 or 4 Gb of ram, all the ram in the slots are going to run the same speed. What makes the ram speed increase or decrease is by changing the FSB and what Memory to the FSB ratio is used. The usual ratio's are 1:1, 2:3, 4:5.

crim

@wrath64
8O That's what I was trying to say to you 😛 8)

@crim
nice explanation....
 
[/quote]

@wrath64
8O That's what I was trying to say to you 😛 8)

@crim
nice explanation....[/quote]



I know, and I thank you and everyone else for being patience with me
 

@wrath64
8O That's what I was trying to say to you 😛 8)

@crim
nice explanation....[/quote]



I know, and I thank you and everyone else for being patience with me[/quote]

j/k... I was half lost as well :lol: :tongue:
 

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