Motherboard vs RAM

[Draco]

I'm looking for the best RAM I can find and found some 500Mhz (pc4000) sticks that I'd really like to use. My motherboard is only rated to handle 400MHz RAM. If I were to put the RAM into the motherboard would it cause compatibility problems, or would I just not be getting the full advantage of my memory?

[ober]

Well, you have to understand that there are different types of RAM. You can't just go find the fastest thing on the market and expect it to work in your computer if you don't have the correct chipset or speed capabilities.

What type of RAM are you looking at and what does your mobo support? RDRAM? DDR RAM? SDRAM?

If you put a RAM chip on your board that is faster than what it is rated for, there is a chance that it will not work, but most of the time you just won't get the added performance out of it, so it's pointless to even spend the extra money on the faster RAM (assuming it is more expensive).

[EvBladeRunnervE]

well, PC4000 ram is DDR by the speed representation alone. What type of motherboard and CPU do you have? if you have a good chip, and an overclockable motherboard, you can overclock it up to the 500mhrz. what is the FSB(the actual FSB, not the quad pumped rate if your chip is a P4, i.e. 400mhrz quadpumped = 100fsb).

[Draco]

The board I plan on buying is the Soyo Dragon for the Athlon64. Here's the link to it if anyone wants it.
http://www.soyousa.com/products/proddesc.php?id=274
I know all about the different types of RAM, I've done my research on it. I didnt see immediately on the RAM I found if it was registered ECC like the board needs. It is DDR RAM I'm looking at, and the board takes all types. It is overclockable, with an 800MHz FSB. [edit] its rated for a max speed of 400MHz RAM[/edit]

[TravisS]

You don't need registered RAM, only the socket 940 (FX) needs that. Even at that, the 940 doesn't need registered ECC, just registered.

Standard DDR PC3200 and up will work (best) for you. The mobo supports as low as PC2100 but that would plain and simple just suck....

The link you provided had another link for RAM compatibility clicky

Anyway, no reason to spend mucho $$$ on PC4000. The amount of people that have gotten their A64 RAM bus up to 250 MHz 1:1 are few and far between.

[edit]
Sorry, forgot to add that you're really looking for good low latency RAM, something that runs with a CAS of 2. Athlons love low latency, and the A64 even more so.

[EvBladeRunnervE]

The amount of people that have gotten their A64 RAM bus up to 250 MHz 1:1 are few and far between.

doesnt have to be 1:1,most mobos have 3:4, or 4:5(i would go with this one, as the A64 is 200mhrz fsb, 4:5 mem ratio gives you the needed 250mhrz for ddr4000)

[TravisS]

Originally posted by EvBladeRunnervE
doesnt have to be 1:1,most mobos have 3:4, or 4:5(i would go with this one, as the A64 is 200mhrz fsb, 4:5 mem ratio gives you the needed 250mhrz for ddr4000)

True, at least this is a viable option for A64's This would be very badness on an "old" Athlon XP. A64's still don't like async all that much (performance wise) but at least it's no where as big of hit as it used to be. 1:1 is always best though

[EvBladeRunnervE]

1:1 is always best though

yeah, but if you cant do it syncronized, mine as well do it async, as the performance cut is more than made up for

[Draco]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll keep the DDR500 in mind when I'm looking for my RAM. Would RDRAM be a better option in any way? I've found good low latency DDR, and looked at one RD product but it did not seem to be as good of a choice.

[Waldo2k2]

ummm
rdram is only for intel if i remember correctly (unless rambus insn't rdram) And as a rule of thumb, stay the hell away from brand new formats, for instance, rambus, which totally blows goats.

[Draco]

okay. I think I'll just stick with DDR then. Thanks everybody. I think all I have left to figure out for my new computer now is where to get the money