Standard DRAM Memory

[dwilson]

There is an article by Lee Penrod on the Directron.org web site which explains these as follows:

Due to quad pumping, a Pentium system clock runs at one quarter of the FSB speed.  For example, 1066 FSB corresponds to 266 system clock.

The memory will run at the same speed as the system clock, but double data rate (DDR) will transfer at twice this, that is 2 X 266 = 533.

The article says that this exact match will give good results, but that memory one step faster will be better.  One step above would be 667.  It goes on to say that any faster than one step above will not help much more due to diminishing returns, except that if it is possible to double the exact match rate, which in this case would be 2 x 533 = 1066, there would be a gain.

Do you agree with this ?  Is it possible to explain why faster than matching would help ?

[lordgllynn]

I have written several posts in here that all cover this. Your FSB sets the standard. All other devices must adhere to this. So, if you have a motherboard that has a max FSB of 1066 and a CPU that has a max of 1333, then you should purchase your memory according to the slowest speed, in this case 1066. You won't get the extra data speed your CPU is capable of until you either do one of two things: 1) OC your motherboard FSB or 2) Purchase another motherboard with an FSB equal to your CPU. Most people just OC their motherboard. As a rule, it is better to buy memory that is slightly faster than your FSB than memory that is slower. In all instances, lower CAS is more important than higher speeds. So, the trick is to find the memory that has the speed of your CPU/Motherboard FSB with a low CAS. Lower voltage would be the next compelling issue when choosing memory. I hope this helps clarify your thoughts.