matching memory and tings

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The last time I built a PC, you could match the memory speed and the processor with the FSB of the motherboard.
It seems that this is not done anymore.
Can somebody tell me why?? and how the matching is done NOW.
Maybe an A+ person will know?

As an example, Ive selected this processor. Notice that only the core speed is specified.

Athlon 64 3200+
Clock Speed 2GHz
Socket AM2
Cache Level 1 Size128 KB
AMD64 technology, integrated memory controller, Enhanced

Id be really grateful for a link or an explanation, not necessarily just info on what WILL match.
TIA

 

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You can almost always match the memory with compatible models for your mobo. Whatcha getting?

You CAN actually match them up... but it started getting *really* confusing with dual-pumped and quad-pumped buses.

 

As far as I am aware Stu the memory has to be matched with the FSB of the mobo take mine for example I have asus P5NE-SLi mobo can take memory speeds from 533mhz - 800Mhz.

But you can put in faster ram say 1066MHz but instead of using both sides of the dimm it will only use what is available upto 800MHz but if you use matched pairs it would goto 1600Mhz for the two. So basically the 1066Mhz ram defaults to the fastest speed available on the mobo.

People have told me that I should be getting errors due to the fact that I am only using a 1 gig dimm instead of 2 512s but this isnt the case I will however be getting another 1 gig dimm in the near future.

Please correct me if I am wrong people but that is how I see it

 

Memory=http://http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(8999)Corsair-Value-Select-1Gb-DDR2-PC4200-memory.aspx

Mobo=http://http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(1472Asrock-ALiveSATA2GLAN-motherboard-VIA-K8T890.aspx

Can anyone tell me if they match

 

The memory link you provided shows PC2-4200 memory. If you look at the mobo specs on the link you provided, you'll see that the mobo supports PC2-4300, PC2-6400, and PC2-5300. Will PC2-4200 work? Hard to say. Both PC2-4200 and PC2-4300 run at 533MHz, which is supported by your processor (see below). They *might* work, but do you want to take that chance?

To be safe, I'd match the speeds required by the proc AND motherboard. The AMD page states that your proc supports PC2 6400(DDR2-800), PC2 5300(DDR2-667), PC2 4200(DDR2-533), and PC2 3200(DDR2-400) unbuffered memory (socket AM2).

 

Go for the fastest you can afford that is compatible with motherboard ie PC6400

 

I think I hear what you are saying guys, but I think I need to actualy understand it myself. So here is another question..In the expression "PC2 3200(DDR2-400)" What is PC2?, Why has DDR become DDR2 (If it was DDR400, then I woulf know that 400 is the FSB speed!!)?, And how does PC2 3200 relate to DDR2-400?

I know im asking alot but Im really confused.
TIA

 

I am not sure on that myslef STu all I know is I have PC2-6400 DDR2 which is 800MHz

DD2 is supposed to be faster that DDR

 

This is explained here.

Basicaly - to get the bandwidth figure used as the part-number multiply the memory clock speed by 8.

And with DDR2 the memory clock speed is twice the 'FSB' speed.

Harry.

 

ahhh now I know cheers Harry even though this wasnt my post I have learned from it

 

Sorry about the delay in saying thanks Harry, I've had my head in my freinds A+ book (even though im not doing A+). The problem I have is that the Athlon 64 actualy incorporates the MCC into the cpu, so it doesnt have an FSB. I think this is where all my problems stem from.

 

I hope this post isnt finished yet, so maybe you'll learn even more!!

Thanks for the input though mate, much appreciated.

 

There is an article here that has a formula for the memory speed. Plus a whole lot of discussion as to whether the formula is right.

I *believe* (but am willing to be corrected as I have never had hands on a Athlon 64 system) that you set the appropriate multiplier in the BIOS for the memory you have.

Harry.

 

Just to update.
Went to buy the parts, took a couple of hours to put together (because the case decided I needed a 3 pin socket for a 2 pin power indicator LED board header. This stumped me for a while). This is the highest spec PC Ive built (this is number 6).

Thermaltake Matrix case (gorgeous).
520W Low Noise PSU.
Xpert Vision PCI-Express Graphics (no, I've not herd of them either).
ASRock ALiveSATAII-GLAN MOBO.
SATAII HD.
GEIL DDRII Dual channel Kit PC2-6400(2x1Gig).
AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 3800+ (AM2).

Purrrs like a kitten, pounces like a tiger!!