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matching ram to cpu and mobo

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alaskaroad

Registered
Joined
Jun 22, 2007
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Greetings...

I just got a ECS 945GCT-M/1333 mobo. I need to get ram for it. It uses DDR2. The mobo handles FSB 1333/1066/800/533 MHz. Now I have a P4 3.4/800/2M cpu for it. I'm not sure what my best choice of ram would be. Do I have to stick with ddr2/400? The mobo specs say the ddr400 is compatible but doesn't say 800 is. Can I mix the 663 or other ram with the above cpu with best results?

Any ideas???

Thanks much!
 
Since your MoBo is rated for DDR2-667, it will probably default DDR2-800 to 667. I would think you would just have to go into the BIOS and set the RAM speed to 800 for DDR2-800 to work @ 800.

If it doesn't work, you could just run DDR2-800 at 667 and you'll already have 800 for possible upgrades.

If you don't feel like getting RAM with the possibility of incompatibility, just get DDR2-667 sticks.
 
great..

If I got the 667 ddr2, does that mean I could upgrade the chip nicely to 1333? Whoa, I not used to numbers that high.
Here's what the specs say...

LGA775 socket for latest Intel® Core™2 Duo / Pentium Dual Core / *Pentium D / *Pentium 4 / Celeron D Processors
FSB 1333*/1066/800/533 MHz
* This board is ready to support Intel® Pentium D and Pentium 4 processors
* Supports FSB1333 processors with specific configuration

Dual-channel DDR2 memory architecture
2 x 240-pin DDR2 DIMM socket support up to 4 GB
Support DDR2 667/533/400 DDR2 SDRAM

I just want to get it where it can go.

Thanks again

I guess I was wondering what the range of possibilities are.
 
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If you got a CPU with 1333MHz FSB you'll have a 1:1 FSB:RAM ratio, which is good; but when OC'ing you'll be limited by your RAM.

This is also kind of vague...
FSB 1333*/1066/800/533 MHz
* This board is ready to support Intel® Pentium D and Pentium 4 processors
* Supports FSB1333 processors with specific configuration
 
I was told that there is a bios flash that sets it up for 1333, then just configure. But outside of that there isn't much I have read that details what works with what. The 3.4/800/2M P4 came with it in this package. Ebay... not received yet. It doesn't say anything about 1333 ddr2 as an option
 
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If it's just a BIOS flash, then no worries. I don't know the P4's, but the E5200 (also 800 FSB) usually doesn't get to 1333FSB for stable OCs (1280-1320 usually). The DDR2-667 RAM should be plenty for your P4 unless you get past 1333FSB. But if/when you decide to upgrade to a CPU with a 1066/1333 FSB at default, the 667 RAM will hold back your OCs.
 
I did find out that it supports Wolfdale 1333 processor after flash.

I guess that means I could go 1:1 @ 1333 if I got another cpu and ddr1333. Stuff really goes that fast these days? I'm from "yesteryear" I guess. As far as OC'ing I wonder how far you could safely push that w/ good cooling? Boggles my mind!
 
So I guess if I don't flash, the mobo handles 1066/800/533. I have 800. So how does the timing pan out w/ 800 and 667? that't 800/4 = 667/2 => 200 = 333.5 ??? Is that viable?

thanks for the learning curve...
 
The 200:333 wouldn't make anything not work, it should be fine. You could try OC'ing your CPU to a higher FSB than 800, I doubt you'll be able to get it to 1333 for a 333:333 though.
 
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