Performance Gain from DDR333 to DDR400?

Sijo45 · 3 Jan 2007 at 19:49

I am currently looking to replace my 4DIMM dual channel 1.5GB RAM setup running at 333MHz to 2GB dual channel running at 400MHz. Does anyone have any idea of the 3D graphics performance increase I can expect?

My setup is as follows:

Athlon 64X2 4200+
Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro SLI
4DIMM of RAM 2x256MB and 2x512MB running at 333MHz (curse the in built memory controller on the Athlon 64)
OCUK Geforce 7900GS 256MB
300GB Maxtor Diamondmax Plus 10 SATA
Windows XP

3DMark 06 Scores:

Overall 3542

CPU 1577

How does this compare to similar specced machines?

GAMEfreak · 3 Jan 2007 at 21:08

i don't actually know, but i judge you will gain about 700-800 3d marks.

Defcon5 · 3 Jan 2007 at 21:33

Cant you just clock it higher?

Minstadave · 3 Jan 2007 at 21:34

You'll probably gain very little, 3DMark2006 is almost entirely GFX dependant.

Sijo45 · 3 Jan 2007 at 21:46

I'm not too bothered about 3DMark. My main interest is performance improvements in Flight Simulator X.

Minstadave · 3 Jan 2007 at 21:51

Sijo45 said:
I'm not too bothered about 3DMark. My main interest is performance improvements in Flight Simulator X.

From what I've heard its an incredibly demanding engine, not sure what it relies on most though. Extra RAM and increased memory bandwidth is always going to help though.

Out of interest, your CPU should be capable of 400MHZ at 2T with 4 modules installed as the X2s have the improved memory controller, just pop into the BIOS and change the memory divider back to 1:1.

Sijo45 · 4 Jan 2007 at 07:56

Interesting... I have tried it in the past and it wouldn't post at DDR400 with 4 modules at even the most relaxed timings. I will give it another go this evening, though. Has anyone else had similar memory timing problems with Athlon 64X2?

Ronaldo · 4 Jan 2007 at 10:15

get your self 2gb kit 1gbx2 in dual channel and see the difference.

you will notice a big increase from what you have, get your self OCZ or G.sKill cos they do 2-3-2-5 timing

Sijo45 · 4 Jan 2007 at 19:51

Sijo45 said:
Interesting... I have tried it in the past and it wouldn't post at DDR400 with 4 modules at even the most relaxed timings. I will give it another go this evening, though. Has anyone else had similar memory timing problems with Athlon 64X2?

Well, I tried it at the most RIDICULOUSLY relaxed timings, and it wouldn't post at DDR400... No idea why, if it should do! Could it be the mixed memory types? (256MB Kingston HyperX, 256MB Crucial Ballistix, 1GB OCUK Value) I know it's the most ridiculous setup before anyone comments!

flying grouse · 6 Jan 2007 at 17:26

try it with the one stick of ocuk ram and see.............

Sijo45 · 10 Jan 2007 at 08:05

flying grouse said:
try it with the one stick of ocuk ram and see.............

It posts fine with two sticks of UCUK value at DDR400, but not four sticks...