RAM and CPU FSB help

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25 Oct 2009
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27
Hi all,

I'm a bit confused about how all of these tie in together.

Could someone please give a breif description of how to combine the two to get the best performance? What happens if one is higher than the other?

Thanks,
Gareth
 
Firstly what system are you running? list your components please, also if you havent already read the sticky in the overcocking and cooling sub forum
 
I've not got one at the moment, just looking into putting one together myself. Before i spend much money i'd like to have an idea of how it all works together (how the specs of each component combine)

Will probably be an AMD system with DDR3.

I'll take a look at the sticky too.

Thanks,
Gareth
 
With AMD systems, the RAM speed is set in BIOS, just by telling it to run at that speed.

There is no "fsb" on an AMD system. They use HyperTransport. In the BIOS, you'll see an HT Ref of 200 at stock. Increasing this number will increase your CPU speed and your RAM speed.

CPU Multiplier is the same as intel, it multiplies your HT ref to get you your cpu speed. HT ref 200, multiplier of 10 gives you 2GHz.

If on that same example, you increased the HT ref to 210, you'd get 10 extra Mhz per multiplier, so you'd have 2.1Ghz. This will increase your RAM speed too. Using DDR2 800 as an example, which basically runs at 4x your HT ref, you'd end up with 840Mhz RAM. double this for DDR3 1600, since its a simple calculation with AMD...

If you want DDR3 and an AMD processor, you have to go for an AM3 system. Nothing wrong with this, and you have quite the choice. I currently run a Phenom II X3 720 BE. Great chip, I don't plan on upgrading for a while, and mines currently running at 3.5Ghz.

HyperTransport is the AMD equivalent of FSB, and runs the same way the CPU speed does. Its a multiplier of the HT Ref. By default its set to about 2.0Ghz with a Phenom II, which gives you 4.0GT/s. 5.2GT/s is the current highest available.

Basically, its really simple.... If you plug it all in together, chances are it'll already be set thanks to SPD Setting on RAM, but you may have to set the RAM voltage and speed manually in the BIOS, depending on your board. CPU settings will all be done automatically, and you'll only have to change it if you want to OC.

hope that answers at least some of your questions.
 
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