Ram settings

[JupiterTrooper]

I have been reading about this for a while and am a bit confused by it. I have an E8400 processor, P5QL-PRO motherboard and G.Skill F2-6400Cl4D 2X2Gb. The ram is 800mhz and it is running at 400mhz bus speed. I dont intend on OC my E8400 cuz I have no need to and it runs at 333mhz bus speed giving me a 5:6 fsb to ram ratio. Is this ok? I have heard a 1:1 ratio is best, and since I dont intend on OC my processor I would have to underclock my ram to 667mhz(or can I keep it at 800?) and run it at 333 bus speed to match the processor bus speed right? I could then theoretically run the memory with tighter timings too I assume. So in the end would this increase speed and performance in any way or is my current settings just fine?
Thanks for the advice, I am a bit confused on this issue.

[SugarJ]

Use Everest, there's a free edition. Benchmark your memory as is. Make your changes, and benchmark again. You'll find out which is faster. I've run my mem both ways, and haven't been able to notice a difference in daily use.

From what I understand, the idea behind the 1:1 ratio is that the memory is synchronized with the FSB, and there's never a lost cycle. If you run 5:6, your memory may technically be running at a higher rate, but losing efficiency by waiting a cycle every once in a while. If you can run at DDR2-667 at say 4-4-4-10 vs. DDR2-800 5-5-5-15, it may actually be quicker in real life applications. Will your memory get that low? I don't know.

[-n7-]

You've heard wrong.

1:1 is pretty much the slowest possible ratio other than on nForce chipsets, where 1T can be put to use.

I'd suggest benching for yourself; you'll discover the myth of 1:1 greatness is just that.

[DarKStar]

Also this whole debate about RAM timing is getting irrelevant as processors and gfx cards get faster - There is only so much frame rate our eyes can see - Most people out there will not notice a difference visually between running 4-4-4-12 and 5-5-5-18 or even 667 vs. 800 - people are running multi cores and top notch graphics cards and the frame rate to begin with is already high - so unless you are a hardcore gamer and want to squeeze every little frame rate possible, even a 5-10FPS increase, then you are better off buying good ram with low timings - but for most people, unless you benchmark you won't notice, and the better your initial frame rates and gfx/cpu, the less you will notice really - I've done the test myself with recent games - whether I had mine at 667 5-5-5-12 or 800 4-4-4-12, in both cases they were smooth as silk, and extremely playable, because my frame rate was high to begin with - of course if you have lower end gear, you might want that extra 5~15fps more :D So my advice to you - try it for yourself and benchmark it for yourself - results are subjective and everyone can have a different opinion on this!

[SugarJ]

Originally Posted by SugarJ

I've run my mem both ways, and haven't been able to notice a difference in daily use.

Originally Posted by DarKStar

- but for most people, unless you benchmark you won't notice, and the better your initial frame rates and gfx/cpu, the less you will notice really - So my advice to you - try it for yourself and benchmark it for yourself - results are subjective and everyone can have a different opinion on this!

Isn't that what I said? Maybe a little less eloquently on my part?

[DarKStar]

lol I was going through the replies very quickly unfortunately didn't have time to read all replies at the time I had to go :)