Difference between DDR2 800Mhz and 1066Mhz

imamosher · 21 Apr 2010 at 21:34

Is there really any significant difference between these speeds and where would it be noticed?

Another question is regarding the timings if I was to run my ram for eg: with
timings 5-7-7-24 what difference would there be if I ran it at 5-5-5-15?

Thanks

Yellowbeard · 22 Apr 2010 at 19:30

The single biggest advantage is when you are OCing the CPU AND the RAM. If you are ONLY OCing the RAM and not changing the CPU speed, you may see as much as a 5% performance increase in memory intensive operations. However, you will see your best results when you OC the CPU. So, if DDR800 RAM is capping an OC, then 1066 will be a big benefit.

DavieJG · 23 Apr 2010 at 18:20

faster speeds and tighter timings will increase performance but its small.

the difference in money between standard and fast RAM can normally be invested better elsewhere and see better performance increases

KelDG · 27 Apr 2010 at 17:46

Bizzare, I never really got ram speed. I would expect 800mhz ram to be MUCH slower than 1066mhz ram (I have 1066 in my machine but its only running at 800, my e5200 just misses stability at 333FSB)

But the real world speed difference seems next to nothing.

Yellowbeard · 27 Apr 2010 at 20:29

The bottleneck is the memory controller itself. Even if the memory can operate at a higher frequency and transmit more data per clock cycle, there is a limit to how much data the memory controller can pass back and forth. It's similar in nature to the speed limitations on some automobiles.

mame · 28 Apr 2010 at 16:18

It's only needed if you are going to run you CPU FSB over 400. Even then, most 6400 RAM will go way past 400mhz. Mine used to to 480 no problem and probably had a bit more in it.