is DDR2 800 RAM a good fit for Core 2 Quad Q6600 1066FSB?

[fall2008]

Hello,

I am building a computer with Asus P5N-D mobo (memory standard DDR2 800), I have picked Core 2 Quad Q6600 cpu that has FSB of 1066. Also for RAM I have chosen muskin 2X 2GB DDR2 800.

According to Asus Tech manual it is recommended that I use 4 sticks of 1 GB DDR2 800 in all four slots. If I want to used just 2 slots with 2GB sticks the recommendation is of DDR2 667 or DDR2 533.

So, the question is would it be a problem if I used 2 sticks of 2GB DDR2 800, even if it's not recommended. I know that there is a missmatch in processor freq and the RAM freq, but I am thinking ahead and I want to get a RAM that operates at higher frequency.

Your advice is much appreciated... thank you

 

[zenmaster]

There is nothing wrong with 2x2GB DDR2 800 techinically.
The problem could be that the Mobo itself may not handle high frequency larger memory modules.

I would find this surprising, but you may want to ask on the ASUS forum.
Most of my recent Mobo's have been Gigabyte and none of them have issues with DDR2-800 2x2GB modules.

In fact my last system was a Q6600 and I bought Two Sets of 2x2GB DDR2-800 ram to give me 8gb.

 

[dallasjoh]

2X2GB of DDR2-800 will work fine on that board. It can take up to 8GB according to ASUS website. The question is what OS you will install? With 4GB you really need a 64bit OS. A 32 bit OS will only see and use around 3.0 - 3.5GB of ram. If you decide to use the 2x2GB I would suggest using one stick first and boot to the bios and check the timings and voltage. If not correct then set to manufactures specs. Then load the OS and after all the updates put in the other stick of ram. Just a suggestion!

 

[fall2008]

2X2GB of DDR2-800 will work fine on that board. It can take up to 8GB according to ASUS website. The question is what OS you will install? With 4GB you really need a 64bit OS. A 32 bit OS will only see and use around 3.0 - 3.5GB of ram. If you decide to use the 2x2GB I would suggest using one stick first and boot to the bios and check the timings and voltage. If not correct then set to manufactures specs. Then load the OS and after all the updates put in the other stick of ram. Just a suggestion!

most probably the operating system will be vista ultimate... is that 64 bit... I never checked...

 

[zenmaster]

Every Version of Vista Comes in 32-bit and 64-bit Flavors.

 

[geofelt]

The memory vendors often have a configurator which lists the compatible ram for many systems that they have tested. It is usually more up to date than the motherboard's qvl list. Corsair, Patriot, and kingston have them, but I did not find one for mushkin.
The corsair site says that their 4gb kit twin2x4096-6400c5dhx ddr2-800 is supported, among many others. http://www.corsairmemory.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=500405#other_modules
It is $84 after rebate from newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145176

The core2 processors are not sensitive to memory speeds. Faster ram might make a 1-2% difference, more if you are overclocking. DDR2-800 is good.

Do you really need ultimate? Go to the vista web site to see what more you get. It really is not that much different from home premium. Also, you can upgrade later, online, if you ever change your mind. For a new build, and 4gb, I like the 64 bit version.

 

[geckoar]

Well i run a phenom 9950 with a 790FX mobo and 2x 2gb g-skill DDR2 ram fine with mine. I run Home pre. 64 bit It runs great. I know that my board can handle 1066 ram but at the time the 800 was a lot cheaper than 1066.


Good luck