CPU FSB speed = RAM speed?

[Tomsk]

A Q6600 has a FSB of 1066 - does it need PC8500 or will slower memory work?
I've noticed in a couple of sigs that people are running PC6400 with their Q6600.

If running the slower memory, what performance implications are there?

 

[Tomsk]

Intel 'quad-pump' their FSB's. So 1066mhz is really only 266mhz, and therefore only needs 533mhz memory (PC4200) to run at stock speeds.

As I understand it then, faster RAM would only be of benefit by being able to use faster timings at a slower bus speed than what it's rated at or for overclocking.

I have done a bit of testing with mine at stock and the difference in performance between ddr533, 800 and 1066 was small in games, rendering and encoding however when overclocked the gap got more noticeable. I would advise at least p6400 to keep the quad happy.

So instead of 4GB of PC8500, I can order 8GB of PC6400
I won't be overclocking.

Thanks.

 

[Tomsk]

8 Gigs?

what the heck are you using your pc for?

My new PC will be running Vista64.

My completely unjustifiable reasons for 8 Gigs of RAM.
1. I can afford it so why not?
2. my 3TB of HD space needs company
3. It's been nearly 3 years since I treated myself to a new PC.