Will DDR2-533MHz RAM run on a DDR2-800/667MHz motherboard?

[greenfinch]

Hello.
Will DDR2-533MHz RAM run on a DDR2-800/667MHz motherboard?
Can the memory be overclocked to match the speed of the motherboard, so meeting it's requirements?
Thanks,
Tim

 

[cmichael258]

What is your motherboard?

 

[greenfinch]

It's an ABIT IP43.

 

[greenfinch]

Finally, will DDR2-533MHz RAM run on a DDR2-800MHz motherboard (an ABIT IP35P)?
Thanks.

 

[Shadow703793]

In theory it should. BUT it depends on your CPU.

Btw, why are you trying to run that DDR2 533 on that board???

Get some DDR2 800. RAM isn't that expensive now days. $50-$80 buys you a 2*1GB or 2*2GB DDR2 800 kit.

 

[greenfinch]

OK, thanks for the advice.

 

[greenfinch]

Hello.
I was wondering Shadow703793, what exactly did you mean by "it depends on your CPU"?
I have an Intel core 2 duo E6550 processor; would this run DDR2-533MHz RAM (Kingston part: KVR533D2N4/512), or do I need to buy some faster memory?
Please advise me on what the E6550 CPU requires as regards memory. Can you give me specifics if possible. I've looked on the Intel website but I can't find any advice that deals with this issue.
Many thanks for your help.
Regards,
Greenfinch

 

[Shadow703793]

Your CPU has a 1333FSB so you WILL need 667 RAM unless you OC the 533 RAM.

FSB to RAM:
800 = DDR2 533RAM
1066 = DDR2 533 RAM
1333 = DDR2 667 RAM
1600= DDR2 800 RAM.

 

[greenfinch]

How do I tell whether RAM on sale is of the PC4200 or PC5300 type?

 

[Shadow703793]

^Look at the specs!

 

[greenfinch]

Fair comment, but I couldn't see it referred to on the Kingston website for their DDR2-533MHz RAM (Kingston part: KVR533D2N4/512).
Should all RAM for sale have the characteristic referred to?

 

[XMSYellowbeard]

In theory it should. BUT it depends on your CPU.


Get some DDR2 800. RAM isn't that expensive now days. $50-$80 buys you a 2*1GB or 2*2GB DDR2 800 kit.

Just some clarification, it will depend on the RAMin addition to the CPU and the FSB speed. The MOBO has dividers available to run the CPU and memory at different speeds but, there is no guarantee that DDR533 memory will OC to any speed above that. Keep in mind also that Intel does not provide dividers for the CPU to run faster than the memory so you may end up in a situation where the system will not boot at all.

Also, an E6550 CPU has a FSB speed of 1333 (333 x 4) as noted above which means at a 1:1 divider with the memory, the memory has to be able to run at 333mhz or DDR667 minimum. So, if you put this memory into the system and the SPD does not play nice with the CPU+memory combo and/or the memory cannot OC to 667, your system may not boot.

With your modern MOBO and CPU you will likely need some more current memory. However, the only way to know for sure is to install and test it.

The best option is listed above:

Get some DDR2 800. RAM isn't that expensive now days. $50-$80 buys you a 2*1GB or 2*2GB DDR2 800 kit.

 

[greenfinch]

Many thanks for the advice XMSYellowbeard.

 

[Shadow703793]

Just some clarification, it will depend on the RAMin addition to the CPU and the FSB speed. The MOBO has dividers available to run the CPU and memory at different speeds but, there is no guarantee that DDR533 memory will OC to any speed above that. Keep in mind also that Intel does not provide dividers for the CPU to run faster than the memory so you may end up in a situation where the system will not boot at all.

Also, an E6550 CPU has a FSB speed of 1333 (333 x 4) as noted above which means at a 1:1 divider with the memory, the memory has to be able to run at 333mhz or DDR667 minimum. So, if you put this memory into the system and the SPD does not play nice with the CPU+memory combo and/or the memory cannot OC to 667, your system may not boot.

With your modern MOBO and CPU you will likely need some more current memory. However, the only way to know for sure is to install and test it.

The best option is listed above:

Get some DDR2 800. RAM isn't that expensive now days. $50-$80 buys you a 2*1GB or 2*2GB DDR2 800 kit.

Correct. Usually 533 RAM won't OC well or won't even OC at all. The RAM I listed are the minimum speeds needed at 1:1.