Is my CPU underutilizing my RAM???

So I am having the PC on my sig. The CPU is having a FSB of 533 MHz and 2 MB L2 Cache. It scores 4.8 on the Windows Experience Index(WEI).When I bought this notebook it had only 1GB DDR2 667 MHz RAM (2X512 MB) which I later upgraded to 2GB DDR2 667 MHz(2X1024 MB). Even though both the RAM modules were functioning in dual channel mode, my WEI for memory remained constant at 4.4 even after upgradation which I think is pretty much low.

Do you think the RAM modules are running at 533 MHz because of the FSB of the CPU ? Now if I upgrade to say a T7200(667 MHz,4 MB L2 Cache),will it improve my situation and make the memory run at normal speed?

 

The amount of ram doesn't affect the WEI score as much as the speed of the ram does. When I upgraded from 2gb(2x1gb) to 3gb(1x1gb+1x2gb) the score remained constant at 4.8. (And by the way I have a t7300). I would hope hp would be smart enough to change the cpu:ram divider such that the ram would run at 667mhz. Have you checked CPU-Z to see what it says the ram is running at? (remember to double the number)

 

WEI is generally not known as a "valid" benchmark as it posts score all over the place.

 

Use a real benchmarking software. And Google if you need more help with that..

 

It shows the maximum bandwidth as 667 MHz and running it as 266X2=532 MHz approx. So what can be the problem?

 

That is not bandwidth, that is the frequency. You can view the FSB and Memory Bandwidths in Everest Pro.

Basically the FSB of the T5300 is 533MHz (or 133MHz*4), so the RAM frequency has been reduced to 533MHz (266MHz*2).

In simple terms, the Memory frequency cannot exceed the frequency of the FSB.

If you install a CPU like the T5500 etc which has a 667Mhz Bus Speed, the memory frequency will increase to 667MHz and so will the timings to 5-5-5-15.

 

Even Everest confirms it to be 667 MHz. Oh sorry I meant frequency. So does that mean if I go for the T7200, I will get the full frequency of my RAM?

 

Check here: (In Motherboard > Motherboard. The summary only shows the type of memory installed, but not the effective/active frequency and timings of each module)



And you need any 1st gen Merom/Yonah Socket M CPU with a Bus Speed of 667MHz, to get the PC2-5300 memory running at 667MHz as well. (Even a T5500/T5600 will do)

You won't notice much of a boost with the increased frequency though.

EDIT: Naton's right. To find out the actual bandwidth, you'll have to use a benchmarking software. Everest only shows the theoretical bandwidth.

 

to see the memory bandwidth you need to run one of Sandra Sisoft benchmarks.

 

So what about the T7600? How good is it as compared to the current T5300? Will it be supported by the HP BIOS?(I have the latest F.2C BTW)

 

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about it. You are not going to see ANY noticeable differences between 533 and 667 FSB speeds:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1489929&postcount=1

If you want a faster CPU, feel free to do that. But the "faster" RAM isn't going to do anything other than maybe half a percent on a proper benchmark. Your WEI score won't change a bit, nor will the actual performance of your machine, except as a direct result of the faster CPU.

 

on post #5, it shows ram at dual channel, but the dc mode doesnt list anything. mine shows dual channel and the dc channel mode says symmetrical. by the way my wei score on ram is 5.2
i just looked closer at my cpu-z ,mine is running at 667 mhz, so that may be why my score is higher,

 

I have a T5300 and Pc5300 (667Mhz memory)
The cpu has a 533Mhz FSB and automatically downclocks the memory to Pc4200 speeds (533Mhz).
If you were to upgrade to a T7200, T7400, or T7600, your fsb would be 667Mhz, and the memory would run at 667Mhz speeds.

However like others said, dont use WEI. if you want a memory benchmark utility, download SISandra, and you can actually see the performance of your memory and you can compare it to other systems.

Having Pc5300 downclock is good, cause if you look back at those cpu-z charts, you would see that when the memory downclocks the latency drops, which does increase ram performance.

I wouldnt worry about your situation. Even if the memory ran at 667Mhz speeds, you wouldnt notice a wink of difference in actual usage.

K-TRON

 

Ok then I won't upgrade anything and wait for atleast another year to get a new laptop. Thanks to all who replied.

 

I agree with what others have said here about RAM. However, hard drive speed will matter in terms of general performance. If you want an upgrade, check out some of the threads here about high-density 7200 rpm hard drives.