? about synchronous RAM

VelcroBP · 03-10-2008, 09:54 AM

I have a Dell XPS-410 with the Core2Duo E6420 running at stock speeds. I'm looking to upgrade the memory from the current 2x1gb sticks of 5300. I was looking to get 2x2gb sticks of 6400. Now, I've been reading up on synchronous mode with the FSB and all of that, and have been left a bit confused. I really just want to know if I will still see a performance jump even though the 6400 would be running asynchronously with the CPU? Would the latency be a major deal for me, or will the increased speed compensate? I just want to know the real-world results, as I'm not a power-gamer or anything. If the latency of the 6400 would be extremely detrimental, what would be the best setup to buy to max-out my system's memory?

Thanks in advance!

VelcroBP · 03-10-2008, 11:52 AM

ok, i've done some more reading and need to redefine my question a bit.
It seems 800 RAM would out-match my CPU, even if I end up O/C'ing it at all. Therefore, my new problem is: Should I get some 667 RAM, or 800 and set it back to 667 with tighter timings? I'm not even sure how versatile my MoBo is as far as adjusting RAM or CPU clocks, but I will look into that further while awaiting opinions on the better RAM setup.

VelcroBP · 03-10-2008, 12:04 PM

Ok, further reading reveals that Dell physically locks out any possibillity of O/C the CPU. That said, I'm back at my basic question of whether buying 800 speed RAM would be ideal.
Sorry that it's taken me three posts to come up with a single question. Next time i will read twice, post once!

03-10-2008, 09:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
VelcroBP Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 41 OS: Vista Home Premium My System	? about synchronous RAM I have a Dell XPS-410 with the Core2Duo E6420 running at stock speeds. I'm looking to upgrade the memory from the current 2x1gb sticks of 5300. I was looking to get 2x2gb sticks of 6400. Now, I've been reading up on synchronous mode with the FSB and all of that, and have been left a bit confused. I really just want to know if I will still see a performance jump even though the 6400 would be running asynchronously with the CPU? Would the latency be a major deal for me, or will the increased speed compensate? I just want to know the real-world results, as I'm not a power-gamer or anything. If the latency of the 6400 would be extremely detrimental, what would be the best setup to buy to max-out my system's memory? Thanks in advance!

03-10-2008, 11:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
VelcroBP Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 41 OS: Vista Home Premium My System	Re: ? about synchronous RAM ok, i've done some more reading and need to redefine my question a bit. It seems 800 RAM would out-match my CPU, even if I end up O/C'ing it at all. Therefore, my new problem is: Should I get some 667 RAM, or 800 and set it back to 667 with tighter timings? I'm not even sure how versatile my MoBo is as far as adjusting RAM or CPU clocks, but I will look into that further while awaiting opinions on the better RAM setup.

03-10-2008, 12:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
VelcroBP Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 41 OS: Vista Home Premium My System	Re: ? about synchronous RAM Ok, further reading reveals that Dell physically locks out any possibillity of O/C the CPU. That said, I'm back at my basic question of whether buying 800 speed RAM would be ideal. Sorry that it's taken me three posts to come up with a single question. Next time i will read twice, post once!