Memory question: PC2-5300 or PC2-6400 for M1330?

Hear me out before you start the bashing!

I know that M1330's chipset doesn't support PC2-6400 (800MHz) memory sticks. I know and at least think that I understand what Santa Rosa platform can do and what it can't do: PC2-6400 memory will not run at 800MHz (2x400MHz) even if installed. Usually when you install "too fast" (PIN compatible) memory to your system, it'll be automatically downclocked to the supported speed, which in this case would be PC2-5300 (667MHz, 2x333MHz).

I'm looking for 2x2GB memory options. I noticed that OCZ is offering a PC2-6400 set 2x2GB sticks (model number: OCZ2M8004GK) with 5-5-5-15 timings. For sure there are other good offers as well that run at the supported speed. Anyway, let's finally move to the questions.

If I buy that aforementioned OCZ set:

1. Will it work in M1330, even though at lower speed?
2. Will I be able to use tighter timings since I won't be able to run it at full speed?

I'm considering to do this because for the following reasons. I'd like to use tighter timings and just in case my next laptop supports PC2-6400 memory I don't have to buy memory again. Well, and some memory headroom may come handy if I ever want to o/c my laptop. So, what do the other technonerds think? Will it work as I'd like it?

 

Yes, it will work.
Yes, it will automatically use tighter timings, it will be 4-4-4- and I think 12.

You should check out the hot ram deals too.

And how much are you paying for the PC2-6400?
I'm not sure how much performance gain you will get for paying extra.
Maybe you should look at some PC2-5300 with the default timings at 4-4-4, should be cheaper that way.

 

there is VERY little difference from the 5300 to the 6400 with the santa rosa chips.. ive read a lot of tests and reviews looking into this myself for the past couple weeks and there is almost negligable differences..depending on how often you buy the newest intel chipsets the p35 etc.. will all soon be on ddr3 so these chips will all soon be obsolete anyway

 

Memory down clocks and improves latency? Cool!

 

Good to hear that this might be doable. A friend of mine is coming from US to Korea some time next month. I was thinking that maybe I should ask him to bring me 2*2GB as the availability of good memory over here is horrible. But when/if you manage to find some, it is priced sky high.

And yes, I was aware that the advantages are slim. But like I said, if my next laptop (Nahalem? Will it use DDR3?) will use PC2-6400 too... well, that would be nice! Anyway, thanks for the help!