System Memory/CPU Question

[Jeremizzle]

Im a bit confused...
I have 2 sticks of 256 pc3200 ram and an intel pentium 4 processor with an 800mhz fsb. The RAM frequency is running at 200.5 MHZ, but shouldnt it be running at 400? Since 800/2=4? if anyone could explain this to me id appreciate it.

[Python14]

I really don't know much about intel stuff, but my guess is that it is quad pumped.

Eitherway, your fine. Put your memory in and enjoy.

[digitard]

Yup. Intel quad pumps.
AMD double pumps

DDR is dual.

266fsb DDR = 133fsb w/ 2 pipes.

400mhz P4 = 100mhz fsb w/ quad tech.

[Jeremizzle]

Would anyone care to explain "quad pumps" to me? Is this more effective? If i added more ram would the frequency still change?

Im just a computer noob trying to learn stuff

[digitard]

Think of it like a freeway.

Older CPU's had a single pathway which data was pumped through. So like a 1 lane freeway. Everything happens ont hat one lane going 133mph (think of the mPH like FSB).

AMD's have dual pump. So think of it now that you have a 2 lane freeway. Everythings still going 133mph, but ... now you have twice as much traffic going cause the 2nd lane. So basically your 133fsb becomes semi equiviland to a 266mhz FSB if it was single (data wise).

Intel Quad pumps. 4 pathways. 4 lanes on your information superhighway going nuts. Still going at 133mph (aka mhz), but 4 times as much data.

DDR is dual channel, hence DDR (double data rate). Rambus memory is really the only memory that TRULY takes advantage of it.

Adding more memory will not change this, but it can help your computers perforamnce because the more memory you have, the more temporary info can be stored in it and less the drive is accessed. There's a point where its not gonna improve much, but if you do video gaming, and editing, it can always help. But the rate of your memory, and type (DDR, SDRAM, RAMBUS) is the same no matter how much you put in. Although PC2100 is faster, capable, than PC1600, PC2700 is faster than PC2100 and so forth. It allows chips running newer FSB's that are higher (newer AMD's and intels) to take advantage of faster bus speeds, but still the same pathways.

Honestly though... AMD's new architecture is stating to turn some heads and its really starting to compare with Pentium chips on the math side of things. I personally use AMD in my video editing.

[Jeremizzle]

Wow thanks that explains a lot.

[digitard]

Obviously thats not 100% exact how it works, but it gives ya the jist of things.

I used to work for Hewlett Packard tech support, and Insight.com. I had to come up with innovative ways to explain things to people who bought their new AMD's from Walmart and didn't understand when it said different things...lol.

I think the freeway one is a pretty decent one.

Now I have to use weird analogies to explain cell phone networks to customers. The joys of tech support. But hey... it pays well.