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    800mhz RAM

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by LoudFox, Jul 15, 2007.

  1. LoudFox

    LoudFox Notebook Guru

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    I have been looking at laptops for a while and the ebst mobile cpus have 800MHz FSB but the best RAM I have found is 667MHz. Why? I am thinking of just buying 2 gigs of 800 off newegg for $100.
     
  2. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    read the RAM Deals thread for the best memory deals

    As for DDR2-667 VS. DDR2-800, you will find that there is really little (2-5% ;) to no difference in performance.
     
  3. JM

    JM Mr. Misanthrope NBR Reviewer

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    Because Intel's chipset doesn't support 800MHz RAM.

    Even if you buy some yourself and put it in the system, the chipset will simply downclock the RAM to 667MHz.
     
  4. ReaperX

    ReaperX Notebook Consultant

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    Well are the timmings also set by the bios,or the bios reads spd??

    Because if it is so,then the 800MHz CAS5 dimm could run at 667MHz with CAS4...
     
  5. chuck232

    chuck232 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    As far as I know, most laptop BIOSes will just run the RAM at SPD settings. Most BIOSes are also very conservative - chances are pretty high thatn even downclocked DDR2-800 would run at 5-5-5-x timings at DDR2-667.
     
  6. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    That was my theory until someone with a Zepto checked their 800MHz RAM. Look at the SPD data here and the Sandra benchmark result here. It seems that the 800MHz RAM is still CL=5 at 667MHz. At least, that is the case with the Kingston 800MHz. Maybe other 800MHz RAM is different.

    John
     
  7. emperor

    emperor Notebook Geek

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    can anyone say if DDR2800 SO-DIMM is supported by 945 chipset or only with the newest 965?