Q6600 and PC 5300 RAM

[PC User]

I am tempted to get a Dell XPS 420 with the Q6600 processor and 3GB 666 MHz RAM

(instead of self build - never done it, so scared I'll end up with fried Mobo/cpu)

is this worth upgrading to 800 MHz RAM

I am not planning to overclock and will be for moderate gaming and HD video editing (AVCHD)

[BUFF]

3Gb seems like an odd amount - generally for dual channel you would get 2Mb or 4Mb.
667 RAM is all that you need for a Q6600. Knowing the prices that Dell usually charges for RAM upgrades it's probably not worth it.

[staffsMike]

I would imagine the benefits of 3GB out weighs 2GB in dual channel.

They are very nice and you do get a fair amount for your money. You simply lose out on overclocking.

You won't need 800MHz RAM though, will make no real difference. You only technically need 533MHz RAM for it.

[PC User]

the RAM configuration is 2X1GB plus 2x 512 MB = 3GB

32 bit is limited to 3.5 GB RAM anyway, so I see no point upgrading to 4GB, except faster memory

[Webby]

The Q6600 has a native FSB of 1066 Quad Data Rate so 266MHz FSB so for memory that is a Duel Data Rate (DDR) of 533MHz so PC4200 would be sufficient so PC5400 (667MHz) will be ample if the memory upgrade costs more than £30 then it is far from worth it as you could buy the memory yourself for that!

[PC User]

Thanks!

[BUFF]

the RAM configuration is 2X1GB plus 2x 512 MB = 3GB

32 bit is limited to 3.5 GB RAM anyway, so I see no point upgrading to 4GB, except faster memory

different sized DIMMs make life harder for the memory controllers.
32-bit can access 4GB but will reserve some of that for hardware addressing.

Whilst a Q6600 in theory only needs 533 RAM for 1:1 use if it's an X38 chipset mobo afaik it won't support it, minimum of 667.

[Webby]

different sized DIMMs make life harder for the memory controllers.
32-bit can access 4GB but will reserve some of that for hardware addressing.

Whilst a Q6600 in theory only needs 533 RAM for 1:1 use if it's an X38 chipset mobo afaik it won't support it, minimum of 667.

When did we start talking about X38 chipsets?

All I was saying is that the Q6600 at stock speeds only requires 533 Ram hence the 667 Ram would be good enough especially if the upgrade price to 800 was more than ~£30.

Not saying to buy slower ram just that in theory that is all that is required.

[PC User]

sorry I am confused now

the XPS 420 does use the X38 (bearlake) Motherboard

and the RAM are different ie 2 x 1 GB plus 2 x 512 MB

[staffsMike]

Don't worry about it.. the RAM they use is fine for X38.

Myself and Webby were simply pointing out that the Q6600 can be run on lower speed RAM than the 667MHz which the dell uses but quite rightfully BUFF has pointed out that when using the X38 motherboard (as the dell does) slower RAM such as 533MHz won't work

[PC User]

OK thanks for that

So much to learn !