Originally Posted by justpassingby

Hi guys !

I need to replace a failing memory stick. I can either buy 1 stick of what I had before to complete my pair (Corsair VS1GB667D2) or buy 2 new sticks of Kingston 1Gb KHX6400D2/1G. Timings are 5-5-5-15 for both models.


IMHO you cant compare Kingston in the same breath as Corsair ......Corsair is an "A" class company and I cant support Kingston until they post a website memory selector and start showing some performance memory too ? Patriot and Gskil have buried Kingston in the "economy" ram world IMHO


My P4 631 D0 runs at a 800Mhz FSB (4 x 200). Would a 1:2 FSB:DRAM ratio allow for better performances than my current 3:5 ratio ? I've read that it helps to have the RAM and FSB in sync (1:1 ratio), is that because of the whole number ratio (1:1, 1:2) or is it only true with the 1:1 ratio ?

Yes; I think a 1:2 ratio would be more efficient ..... but it would take some benchmarking to verify
a 1:1 ratio will not deliver any great performance increase on its own; yes 1:1 with your cpu is better but not a WOW kind of better.

I intended to buy a 1066Mhz Core 2 Duo, overclock the FSB to 1333Mhz and use my 667Mhz RAM at a 1:1 ratio. In this case would the 800Mhz RAM be a bad choice ? (I'm not sure yet that the P5B Deluxe can hold 1333Mhz, the P5B-SE can)

DDR2-800 ram is a better choice, the only time DDR2-667 was a better choice was back in the day when DDR2-800 was pricey ...... that not so any more ! with DDR2-800 memory, your 1066 FSB cpu will be overclocking to the full potential of the cpu, I guarantee the memory wont be holding you back, because the DDR2-800 can go higher than your cpu.


Any other advantages using the Kingston over the Corsair ? What can be done with PC2-6400 that can't be done with PC2-5300 ? How likely is it that 1600Mhz FSB CPU's and motherboards reach the mainstream market (not talking about the quad core extreme here) and still use DDR2 RAM ?

1600mhz effective FSB can be reached right now with P35 chipset motherboards and DDR2-800 memory with 1333mhz cpu's ????


If it helps my current motherboard (Asus P5B deluxe) uses a P965 chipset and has a max FSB of 1066Mhz (officially). The KHX6400D2/1G is not on the QVL list, is that a problem ? (the KHX6400D2LL/1G = the low latency CL 4 version is on the QVL list)

I would not worry that your memory is not listed on the QVL / there are many more models NOT listed that are compatible than are listed as compatible. You must also check your memory stick manuf website selector to see if your ram model is listed for your board; and its absence from that is not a declaration that it wont work either; although your chances for success when you use a matching model from the ram manuf's selectors are greatly increased!!


Also is it normal that 1 stick of Kingston HyperX PC2-6400 sells cheaper than 1 stick of Corsair Value PC2-5300 ? With the added (and completely useless) heatsink and the better specs I'd have expected a higher price.


such unexplained pricing structure is not uncommon and doesnt hold up to average reasoning ........ given this evaluation ...... you dont even want to attempt to figure out why Intel structures the prices of their cpus' the way they do

sorry for the late reponse on your inquiry !

Thanks in advance !