Memory Timings

[BoboKatt]

Just a quick question from someone with a thick head -- I've noted some really good prices on 2X512 of incredibly fast RAM. By fast they talk about PC4000, PC4200, PC4400 and so on. When I go check on the actual page of the maker it shows the RAM sticks to be generally 3-4-4-8. In other words my crap no name PC3200 (2X512) rated at 2.5-3-3-8 is faster? For an AMD X2 3800 that O/C what is better -- that I try and get my RAM to run as fast as I can in Mhz (so to match say my 250 HT speed of my CPU instead of right now being scaled down to 200 MHZ) or to leave it at 200 but get like insane timings like 2-3-3-7 or even lower. I have no idea what is better but I have to admit that the prices of the faster RAM in their clock speed (4200, 4400 and so on) are way cheaper than if I try and find CAS 2 and wickedly fast timings.

What gives?

 

[Regulator07]

from what i understand and have been told, amd's like tighter timings vs. faster ram. i believe this has to do with the memory controller being on the processor. correct me if i am wrong.

 

[coomar]

yeah thats true but with dual-cores the additional bandwith of the pc4000+ ram starts to play a role

you should be able to find 2x512 sticks of 2-2-2 ram for pretty cheap now, they'll probably not going to go above 230 at that speed though