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    A quick question about FSB and RAM speed

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Laursen, Aug 24, 2008.

  1. Laursen

    Laursen Notebook Consultant

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    I just ordered my T61 with an Intel C2D T9300 @ 2.5 GHz and a FSB of 800 MHz. Should I make sure that the RAM used also runs at 800 MHz or will faster RAM be throttled down to 667 MHz ?

    Also, would slower RAM with faster timings be better than faster RAM with slower timings ?

    Regards,
    Jakob Laursen
     
    Laursen, Aug 24, 2008
    #1
  2. Rorschach

    Rorschach Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    The ram will throttle down to 667 mhz. You can buy 800mhz ram and when it throttles down it will use faster timings, or you can buy faster ram to get the same timings.
     
    Rorschach, Aug 24, 2008
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  3. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    The 800MHz DDR2 RAM will downclock to 667MHz.

    The best RAM you can get is 2x2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 CL=4 (4-4-4-12)....

    The RAM will downclock to a lower frequency and use the lower timings (timings coded for the particular frequency)

    EDIT: Something like this.
     
    Andy, Aug 24, 2008
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  4. Laursen

    Laursen Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the answers guys... But what are the point of an FSB of 800 MHz if the RAM will run at 667 MHz no matter what ? Or am I missing something ?
     
    Laursen, Aug 24, 2008
    #4
  5. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    In short, it is a chipset limitation....
     
    Andy, Aug 24, 2008
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  6. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Having a faster FSB is helpful. You do get greater bandwidth.
     
    powerpack, Aug 24, 2008
    #6