RAM Speed

[NeoDreamer]

I have heard a few people say that buying faster RAM will not necessarily increase your computer performance. For example, this guy on PCGuide.com (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=55036) said:


Socket AM2 AMD systems are better off with DDR2-800 while Core2 Duo systems will not use more than DDR2-667.

Is this true? And if it's true, why do computer sellers (HP and Dell, for example) let you configure your system with overclocked 1066 Mhz RAM when doing so will not be be fruitful?

[Esherido]

^ In my opinion that is complete cow poo. I'm pretty sure that memory speed is determined by the motherboard you have, going over or under the speed may damage your motherboard. At least that's how I think motherboards and RAM relate speed-wise. I would say wait for Theros to comment on this thread because he'll know the answer.

[Theros]

Actually, I'm not quite sure. When I buy new ram to put in my desktop, I usually but the ones that are RECOMMENDED by the Motherboard... If that helps you at all lol. I don't think RAM speed is critical in really speeding up a computer if your CPU and GPU sucks anyway.

[Charleh]

RAM speeds depend on what your motherboard can handle - usually the faster the RAM the better, and if you motherboard can run at those speeds it will. Buying slower RAM will not harm your PC, it will just run at the slower speed, buying RAM thats too quick for your PC will also not harm your PC, the RAM will just run at a slower speed. Mixing RAM is OK too, the RAM will just run at the slowest speed.

The best thing to do is to check out what your motherboard supports and buy stuff thats mid/high range or as high as your motherboard can go - the lower the timings on the RAM the better too (latencies etc)

Don't bother paying top dollar for RAM as the new stuff is usually exponentially more expensive whilst being marginally faster..

[NeoDreamer]

Do all four sticks of RAM have to be the same speed or can you have one pair of RAM be a different speed from the second pair? In other words, does fast RAM slow down to the slower of the paired partner or does it slow down to the slowest of all your RAM?

[Theros]

RAM speeds depend on what your motherboard can handle - usually the faster the RAM the better, and if you motherboard can run at those speeds it will. Buying slower RAM will not harm your PC, it will just run at the slower speed, buying RAM thats too quick for your PC will also not harm your PC, the RAM will just run at a slower speed. Mixing RAM is OK too, the RAM will just run at the slowest speed.

The best thing to do is to check out what your motherboard supports and buy stuff thats mid/high range or as high as your motherboard can go - the lower the timings on the RAM the better too (latencies etc)

Don't bother paying top dollar for RAM as the new stuff is usually exponentially more expensive whilst being marginally faster..

I'm assuming from what he/she said that the Faster RAM would only clock to what your slowest RAM is....

[DanontheMoon]

All of your ram should be matched for starters. I run a C2D box with 800 mhz FSB ram just fine, thanks. OC'd ram is better for OC's CPUs and GPUs.

[Templarian]

I believe the ram stick slots work in pairs (colour coded) thus each pair or ram sticks must be the same speed, but i could be wrong.

[Theros]

I believe the ram stick slots work in pairs (colour coded) thus each pair or ram sticks must be the same speed, but i could be wrong.

That's the way I've done it in the past... I've heard that the same pair of sticks work better in tandem... But... I have no idea

[Charleh]

Yes it's a good idea to get matched pairs of RAM to ensure the timings are correct. Also some motherboards need RAM in pairs.

Your system will always run the whole set of RAM at the speed of the slowest piece of RAM.