nForce 500 & DDR2

[Sukhoi_37]

The new AM2's and nForce 500's came out, and I was wondering what are the DDR2 requirements for the new chipset. It says "DDR2-800", but is it possible I can use anything slower? Thanks for your help.

[Weather_Man]

I've only read a little on the AM2 specs, but this little tidbit from the INQ is not encouraging, at least for now, on running slower speed DDRII. Of course, it will work, but it may not run exactly the way you want without tweaking. I would try to get the fastest RAM you can (when you can).

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=31874

[Sukhoi_37]

Thanks for the link....memory bandwidth looks really bad with anything less than DDR2-800...I think I'll be getting DDR2-800 Thanks again Weather_Man  :)

[ctjoyce]

OCZ Gold stiks seem to have the best Cas timings. Go for them. Also they hold better overclocks.

Cheers
Cameron

[NicksFXHouse]

With A64 the cas timing is no longer critical and needed  for high performance. What is important is the stability at high clocks with 1T CMD enabled. In other words, with AMD64 you will see no difference in performance with sticks running @ 250FSB CAS 3.0-4-4-11 @1T and 250FSB CAS 2.0-2-2-5 @1T.

It is better to purchase the lower timing sticks NOT to keep them set to low latency... but to have stability well past their specs. Generally, sticks that are rated 2-2-2-5 @ 200FSB will run 250FSB+ @ 3-4-4-11.

Unlike the Athlons and other AMD products of the past, with AMD64 and the northbridge components being incorporated into the wafer, low latency memory is no longer important. It is the memory stability @ higher FSB AND @ 1T CMD which gives the system it's boost.

[Sukhoi_37]

OCZ Gold stiks seem to have the best Cas timings. Go for them. Also they hold better overclocks.

Cheers
Cameron

Kinda funny how I was thinking about those sticks for my memory!  ;D

Also thanks for the info Nick. Never knew timing was no longer a difference in the A64's. O.O Thanks all again.
                                                 

[NicksFXHouse]

[quote]

Kinda funny how I was thinking about those sticks for my memory!