Faster RAM Runs at Tighter Timings??

[AOpen Fan]

Hi. It seems that some companies make RAM that is faster than the normal specifications. Can someone buy PC4000 DDR and run it at PC3200 speed? If so, could it run with quicker timings? My PC3200 RAM is regular speed, and I wouldn't mind getting some tighter timed RAM one day.

Thanks.

[One4yu2c]

Yes indeed. With the price difference being very nominal, I usually end up recommending DDR500 (PC4000) over DDR400 (PC3200). If not overclocking, a DDR500 kit will simply run at DDR400, and when doing so, just about ALL kits will allow their timings to be tightened.

For example, my DDR500 Crucial Ballistix are rated at 3-4-4-10 at that speed, but I can run them at 2-2-2-5 at DDR400. Likewise, many high quality DDR400 kits can be overclocked to DDR500 territory once the timings are loosened, but buying DDR500 in the first place takes the guesswork out of whether it can handle the higher frequency or not.

[AOpen Fan]

The Crucial Ballistix is what I was looking at. I would not overclock. Is 2-2-2-5 the fastest possible speed for any DDR RAM?? I am not sure what all is available.

Do you have the orange ones or the black ones?

Thanks.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

Yes indeed. With the price difference being very nominal, I usually end up recommending DDR500 (PC4000) over DDR400 (PC3200). If not overclocking, a DDR500 kit will simply run at DDR400, and when doing so, just about ALL kits will allow their timings to be tightened.

For example, my DDR500 Crucial Ballistix are rated at 3-4-4-10 at that speed, but I can run them at 2-2-2-5 at DDR400. Likewise, many high quality DDR400 kits can be overclocked to DDR500 territory once the timings are loosened, but buying DDR500 in the first place takes the guesswork out of whether it can handle the higher frequency or not.

I don't think Samsung UCCC can run at DDR400 2225. What chips is there under your ballistix? (I'm a Crucial ****, yo)

[Capper]

You have to understand that companies use whatever ICs they can get at the best prive, at a given time. What is under my memory heat spreaders might be completely different than what the next person who has the exact same kit has under his.
As Paul mentioned, you will almost always be able to run your memory at a lower clock speed with tighter timings.
One of the things we try to always review is how well memory runsd at different timings.
For DDR1 we always try to run at PC3200 and default timings...for DDR2 its PC2-5300,default.....

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by AOpen Fan

The Crucial Ballistix is what I was looking at. I would not overclock. Is 2-2-2-5 the fastest possible speed for any DDR RAM??

Pretty much, yes. Really though, if you find a 2-2-2-5 kit (and I'm not sure they exist in 2GB kit form), it's likely going to carry a premium price tag. There are quite a few 2GB DDR400 kits that are rated for 2-3-2-5 and priced more attractively. If it were me, I'd be looking at one of the following (in order of preference):

OCZ 2GB Platinum XTC PC3200 (2-3-2-5) - $169 shipped after $30 MIR
G.Skill 2GB PC3200 (2-3-2-5) - $183 shipped
Patriot 2GB PC3200 (2-3-2-5) - $155 shipped after $45 MIR

Originally Posted by Polobunny

I don't think Samsung UCCC can run at DDR400 2225. What chips is there under your ballistix? (I'm a Crucial ****, yo)

Here's my review of the Crucial Ballistix (LINK):

• Under all the flash and glamour are Micron -5b D chips[...]It should be noted at this point that Crucial is a division of Micron and manufactures their own chips as opposed to purchasing them on contract and slapping them on a PCB.

[polobunny]

Cool. Never was a fan of Micron, but if it's good... too sad I have difficulty getting Crucial products. =/

[AOpen Fan]

I have used Crucial since 1998. All the ones I HAD ever seen used Micron chips, but my girlfriend recently bought a Crucial 512MB PC3200 8-chip, single sided DIMM from Newegg and it had Infineon chips and an Infineon sticker in addition to the Crucial sticker. I was surprised.

Thanks for the link to the Tracer review. I appreciate it.