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    For my Core Duo laptop: DDR2-533 or DDR2-667?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by nick_danger, May 3, 2006.

  1. nick_danger

    nick_danger Notebook Consultant

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    Right now, I can get 2GB (1GBx2) of DDR2-533 CAS4 on Newegg for about $155. DDR2-667 CAS5 runs for about $190. Normally I'm not one to argue $35, but is it worth it? My Yonah-powered e1705 will be used for games, ripping CDs/DVDs, maybe some transcoding...
     
    nick_danger, May 3, 2006
    #1
  2. CoolHotCold

    CoolHotCold Notebook Evangelist

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    the 677Mhz gives a 3-5% preformance boost. Not worth the extra dough.
     
    CoolHotCold, May 3, 2006
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  3. TheUndertow

    TheUndertow Notebook Deity

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    I've read before that it's best to have the RAM at the same speed as the Proc. - so 667mhz would be my suggestion (and it IS faster as well)
     
    TheUndertow, May 3, 2006
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  4. dudesdudets

    dudesdudets Notebook Deity

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    If you don't mind spending that extra money get it.
     
    dudesdudets, May 3, 2006
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  5. nick_danger

    nick_danger Notebook Consultant

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    Hmm, 3-5% performance for 20% more... I'll have to think on that. I'm not really in a rush either, and word is that DDR2 pricing is going to drop a lot more over the summer. Thanks for the advice, folks!
     
    nick_danger, May 3, 2006
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  6. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    You really won't notice any difference between the two speeds. It will be a "benchmarkable" difference in performance, but not "real world."

    TheUndertow, there is no problem running a ram divider on the centrino platform. Some AMD chipsets have more of an issue when running ram dividers, but that is not true of the centrino package.
     
    RogueMonk, May 3, 2006
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  7. KManZ

    KManZ Notebook Consultant

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    I have the same question in my search for my final e1705 configuration. Will the RAM speed make a difference when "future-proofing" your rig?
     
    KManZ, May 3, 2006
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  8. nick_danger

    nick_danger Notebook Consultant

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    IMO, you can't future-proof something that's already obsolete! ;-)

    The DDR2-667 is simply faster by a little bit. It is faster now and it will be just as fast in the future. At the prices Dell charges for memory upgrades, it is most definitely NOT worth it. I intentionally stuck with 512MB DDR2-533 and 60GB 5400RPM HDD to keep the cost out the door as cheap as possible because I can upgrade both memory and storage much cheaper than Dell can.
     
    nick_danger, May 3, 2006
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  9. baskingwhale

    baskingwhale Notebook Enthusiast

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    true - very true, besides if u gonna jump from 512 to 2Gig, u simply wont notice the difference between 533 & 667 for day to day activities.
     
    baskingwhale, May 5, 2006
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