333 vs. 400

[Will]

I'm building a new system for myself. Now, the cost difference between 512MB DDR RAM at 333 and at 400 is minimal. However, the 400MHz will mean I run with an asynchronous bus. Would I be better with 333 or with 400?

 

[Jonty]

Hi Will.

Sounds like a question for Embattle and the likes

As you rightly point out, though, it's usually better to run in 'Sync' mode. However, in this case, I wouldn't worry too much. From the odd bit of information I've read, people are reporting noticable peformance increases when moving from 333/333Mhz FSB to a 333/400Mhz setup. I have a figure of 10% in my head, but I can't back that up! (I have a feeling that it was Corsair TwinX RAM, which may help to explain a thing or two).

Anyway, I'd go for the 400Mhz RAM. Yes, you'll be running in 'A-Sync' mode, but I believe it may well be worth it. And, as usual, buying the latest products will always extend its shelf-life before you need to upgrade again

No doubt others may be able to better advise you, though.

Kind Regards

Jonty

Edit ~ Appaently Corsair TwinX is about the best of the best, if you can afford it. Otherwise most PC3200 DDR RAM should produce good results on 333Mhz FSB CPUs (although bottlenecks seem to be common on 266Mhz FSB setups).

 

[Testin da Cable]

just set your fsb to 200Mhz. n00b

 

[Jonty]

Originally posted by Testin da Cable
just set your fsb to 200Mhz. n00b

Come again?

Kind Regards

 

[Testin da Cable]

iirc Will has an AMD cpu with a 333Mhz DDR FSB, or 166Mhz really. with current kit, the easiest way to oc an athlon id to bump the FSB. I have some kingston hyperx ddr dimms (or a rose by another funky name) that run at >333Mhz speeds. I just set my new 2800 barton to 200Mhz FSB (400Mhz thus) and turned it on due to the fact that the kingston dimms are slightly slower than the crucial dimms there's a good chance that Will can oc his cpu to the full 400 given decent cooling. god I'm sleepy :/

 

[Jonty]

Ohhhh, right, sorry It's just the nForce2 boards I've had experience with allow you to run the CPU and RAM at different FSBs 'out of the box', without any overclocking. There's simply an option in the BIOS for 'Sync' mode (e.g. 333Mhz CPU and PC2700 RAM) or 'A-Sync' mode (e.g. 333Mhz CPU and PC3200 RAM). All you do is select the option and the board takes care of the rest. I thought this was always the case, my apologies.

The reason for my above post is merely that running in 'A-Sync' mode can result in marginal latency. I suppose overclocking would avoid this, but obviously such steps bring with them their own risks.

Kind Regards

 

[Testin da Cable]

I was actually quite amazed how far the cpu would go. With a different cooler (I have a Zalman silent cooler) it may well be that it will go even further. The barton was only 60C, but was becoming unstable due to the ram issue I mentioned :/

 

[Will]

I doubt I could manage that on a Shuttle, TdC. I think it would melt.

 

[Testin da Cable]

in that case I'd advise just going for sync. everything 333 baby!

 

[Will]

I'd probably tweak the FSB a little, but not all the way to 400MHz. You can't adjuster the multipier on a Shuttle, and I don't want the fan kicking up when it all gets too hot. I've developed a real hatred of noisy PCs. I'd rather be slow than loud.

 

[Testin da Cable]

me too *shudders* glad my borg cube is pretty well ventilated as it is. perhaps just a small extra fan

 

[Will]

I ripped the 80mm intake and exhaust fans out of my server for just that reason. I'm sooooo glad I did that.

 

[Happy Go Lucky]

Just run the 400 ram at 333, the abit kx7 lets you do it not sure about the shuttle, and Tdc I want to oc with a zalman, as the barton is still .13 process like the throughbred do you think I'll able to oc to 166 from 133 fsb with a zalman & throughbred . Thanks

 

[Embattle]

The difference is minimal and the real reason you can't even dream of increasing the FSB too much on shuttle systems is the lack of Voltage adjustments.

 

[Testin da Cable]

Originally posted by Happy Go Lucky
Tdc I want to oc with a zalman, as the barton is still .13 process like the throughbred do you think I'll able to oc to 166 from 133 fsb with a zalman & throughbred . Thanks

really depends on your mobo and ram matey (and cpu naturally)
I run at a 179Mhz FSB right now due to ram issues, and the cpu is about 55C says the bios on my A7N8X. memory timings are 2225 iirc (not going to check - just up, about to go to work)
the zalman's going full-blast as I don't even use the adjuster but plug the fan right into the mobo. oc'ing is as much luck as good parts though: if it won't run then it won't. want other ram though, my mate runs his 2500/barton at 2225/200Mhz fsb