Ram question - looking for the final answer

OK, I have searched and found numerous threads on this.
(I'm hoping this post will help out others in the same position looking for an answer to this question).

I am going to upgrade to 2 GB with a pair of 1 GB sticks. Considering PC2-5300 667 CL5 and PC2-4200 533 CL4.

Now, most of what I've read say that these are about the same performance-wise, because the faster clock speed has a worse CL number and the slower clock speed has a better CL number and you really won't notice any difference.

But, I've also read that for gaming, the 533 CL4 is better because the lower CL outweighs the slower clock speed. But I don't do any gaming AT ALL.....

And my processor is a Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0 GHz which to my knowledge has a 667 MHz front side bus.

So, am I better off going with 667 CL5 since it will "match" my FSB, and gaming is not a concern?

Any help and more info on RAM, FSB, and related is greatly appreciated. I don't know that much about this subject, but am willing to learn everything I can. Thanks

Also, I've read about 667 CL4 as well, but the only one I found was G skill, which I've heard mixed things about. Any comment on this is appreciated too.

 

To be honest, you really will not see a difference unless you compare the two after benching them. There's really not a point to worry too much about it-I would get the 667 because it matches the FSB speed, if only because it makes me feel cool . Look in the ram deals thread and on newegg and see what the best bang/buck is. In laptops, memory is pretty much memory; as long as you have a lifetime warranty, don't worry too much.

 

Could you explain what you mean by "benching them"?

Anyway, I was leaning more toward the 667, because of it matching the FSB - pretty much for the same reason you stated.

I was reading this and on page 4 found this interesting:

"So it doesn’t matter much what memory speed/timings you buy, the value line will suit the Intel Core 2 system just fine, but do keep one thing in mind, as in our testing we found performance actually decreases a bit going from PC4200 (533) to PC5300 (667)!

The Core 2 has a front side bus (FSB) speed of 266Mhz x 4 (Quadruple) “1066Mhz”, the ram is running at 266Mhz x2 (Dual Channel) x2 (DDR) = “1066Mhz”, so with PC4200 memory and FSB are running synchronized. When you use PC5300 you are no longer running synchronous with the FSB and a memory divider of x1.25 (5/4) has to be used."

This was a desktop test, so I'm not sure how much of the info applies here, but the second paragraph I quoted was a little confusing to me. Since my FSB is 667, does it break down to (333 x 2), since the processor they used was 1066 (266 x 4)? If you or some one could elaborate on this, that would be great. Not so much that I am worried about what ram to get (because I'm really not), it is just pure curiosity now.

 

No matter which one you get, your computer will run them both at 667 at the SPD programmed timings. That also means that if you put in some 533 it will try to run it at 667, which is overclocked and likely won't do it without more voltage. Vdimm is not adjustable on these computers, which means there is a good possibility that your system won't boot with anything slower than 667.

You should also know that the same RAM that performs at CL4 at 533, will likely want to perform at CL5 if clocked to 667, and vise versa. Underclocked CL5 667 ram will likely be able to run at CL4 at lower speeds. If these BIOS had more options, we could actually run CL4 all the way up to DDR2-800 like the desktop variants.

 

Running a benchmark.

On average, most users won't notice performance increases of anything less than 20%. In other words, you won't notice the difference no matter which memory you get.

 

I assumed it meant running a benchmark test. I guess what I should have asked is how that is done and what is involved. Pure curiosity, as I wouldn't actually buy both and compare them like that. I'm just wondering how it would be done.

Soulburner, so what about 667 CL4 memory? I know it is not as common, and not nearly as widely available, but wouldn't it be the ticket? Why don't I hear more about it? What kind of difference would be seen when compared to 667 CL5?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010260381+1052910525+1309121117+1309221136+1052508081&name=4

At any rate, I will probably just get the 667 CL5. I was looking at either Crucial or Corsair, but I know brand isn't that important. Thanks.