Can Santa Rosa on these Asus laptops, take ddr2-800?

I was asking if the Santa Rosa Platform supports ddr2-800 memory, and whether the memory actually runs at 800Mt/s or just a a reduced speed of 667 mt/s. Also does ddr2-800 really improve performance. The only reason I ask is because people are listing their laptops with ddr2-800 even though Santa Rosa says it only supports up to ddr2-667, and Amd's new tyler core supports ddr2-800 memory as far as I know...

 

No, in Santa Rosa the 800mhz ram will downclock to 667mhz. Also the timing is the same so no performance benefits at all. The only exception is laptops with desktop CPUs and chipset.

 

Yah that is what I thought. So it looks like AMD might actually have an advantage right now against Intel. Still I think that DDR2-800 vs. DDR-667 will be similar performance just like ddr-533 vs ddr2-667, unless the stick has much lower latencies, or is a highend stick. I think we will see a real performance jump next year when both Intel and AMD plans to move their support to DDR3 memory lowest rating at 800 Mhz.

 

Wave, so what notebooks use the new 800 mhz SO-DIMM modules? I mean, what the point to selling those sticks if the newest notebook line, Santa Rosa, doesn't support the speed gains?

 

None do Gautam. Well, none can take advantage of it, you can still use it. Probably due to the really high prices of 800mhz modules, Intel decided to use 667mhz sticks and wait til the prices of 800mhz to drop once Penryn comes to play.

 

Thats not true. AMD's new Tyler core supports and uses DDR2-800, as advertised by them. Intel is opting for the much more energy efficient and quicker DDR3 to be released with Montevina, and Penryn. AMD will also use DDR3 when they release griffin.

 

Well, they aren't that readily available yet, are they?

 

The RAM or TYler, Tyler has been release on HP tz1000, and Toshiba Satleite as well. Those are the only manufacturers I know supporting it. Acer will be releasing by the end of July if they have not done so already. Asus seems to be sticking with INtel. Dell, has plans to upgrade to Tyler. DDR2-6400 SoDimms are availble but they cost alot. I have not seen any benchmarks for them yet.

 

There is a reason that they are scarce, too =P. I love AMD, but currently the C2D processors scorch AMD's offerings. Even with DDR2-800 RAM, they will be left in the dust. So basically you would be paying more money for less performance. They are pretty much on the market only for people who want to say: "Well I have 800 speed RAM in my laptop!"
Not worth it in my opinion

 

Ya you are probably right. If anything though, maybe the 800 speed will put AMD on par with the Core 2 Duos at 667.