Does FSB speed influence RAM frequency?

[FireDK]

OK, maybe that's not the best title, so I'll try to explain. Right now I have a Pentium D that runs a 800 MHz FSB and 1 GB of RAM at 533 MHz (PC 4300). I'm thinking of upgrading to a 2 GB Dual Channel Kit, but I'm puzzled what frequency I should choose for my new RAM. I could stay with 533 MHz, or I could upgrade to 667 MHz, since the price difference is small. My question is: will a 667 MHz RAM work better that a 533 one, considering my FSB? My MB supports both 533 and 667 MHz RAM.

Thanks!

Born from The Dark, in The Black Cloak of Night!
And please excuse my spelling...

 

[cdogg]

When it comes to dual-channel, the best configuration is to match the FSB with the memory bus giving it a 1:1 ratio. So in your case for example, 400MHz RAM is preferred. In dual-channel, its bandwidth would be 800MHz which matches the FSB. When you use slower or faster RAM, it forces the two out of synch - one is always waiting on the other.

There's not a whole lot of difference throwing them off like that, but the point is to match them when you can. With that said, getting faster RAM at this point wouldn't likely make any real difference. In fact, you can use all four slots (if you have four) and still retain dual-channel. So another 1GB of the same brand/type you have now would work just fine.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
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