DDR2 RAM speeds

[FrankJH]

With standard DDR ram the speed it was sold at (PC3200) was its default speed and if you were lucky, you found a decent set or type that went above this - ok thats fair enough

Now with DDR2 it seems to be different (or is it just a few brands / models that are done this way?) but it seems that while memory sticks / packs are sold as PC2-6400, their default is actually 4800 or 5300

Is this common with DDR2? I have read it on a few threads including this one as highlighted by Cob

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17625281

Is it just me being difficult or shouldnt we expect what the manufacturer has branded the sticks as (ie what its sold as) to be the default?

Surely it would be similar to Intel selling an E6600 @ E6700 prices just because they know its capable of reaching such speeds?

I have a G.Skill 2GB DDR2 NR PC2-6400 (2x1GB) Kit in the Asus P5W DH which insists the default is 4800, i just thought it was dodgy bios but now I dont think it is

What are everyone's thoughts?

 

[Socaddict]

Its more because of the standard dividers that are set, similar to my old A7N8X deluxe running my processor at 100FSB on first boot to ensure compatiblity. Not really a massive problem, to be honest, particularly as changing the timings and speed doesn't give a huge boost unless you are OCing. Anandtech have a very recent article on memory speeds in relation to bandwidth with core 2 duo, definitely worth a read.

 

[FrankJH]

Surely at default settings on mobo , it should run stock everything? Thats what the setting is after all?

After all, if you have seperate CPU and RAM settings ( even though both governed by the FSB) If you have oc'd your CPU, but kept the RAM as "default" surely it should still run at branded settings?