DDR Memory?

[as opposed to the ATA bit which needs other hardware et al performance to make it real]. If the mobo and CPU interface design is used to actually set the FSB, then it is real, in an easy to compare sense.

For Intel CPU's and their quad clocking where, for example, the 800 MHz is NOT based directly on the memory speed it is still a factor, because the lower speed memory is still clocked at its design speed and thus the memory bandwidth to the CPU is actually less than the P4 can handle.

Dual Channel is also a Memory bandwidth issue. Both use FSB of 800 MHz, but same speed/qty of memory gives double the memory bandwidth in dual channel mode. Intel shows about a 10 to 12 per cent gain with Dual Channel vs single channel all other things equal.

As an example in the P4 800 MHz units only the PC3200 [and above] running in Dual Channel mode can provide the maximum memory bandwidth that a P4 can handle, it loafs with others bcause it has unused capacity.

I had a PDF from the Intel technical document site that showed some of the details. Don't remember which computer I saved it on. if I find it I'll post the link.

Meantime, be aware, that both Intel and AMD make numerous detail CPU design documents available for reading. No need to understand teverything in them, but a lot of stuff easy to fathom.

Look at the very first PDF.

http://search2.intel.com/corporate/default.aspx?culture=en-US&q=Dual+Channel&x=28&y=7

Intel Document number 252730-001

It is a PDF so I can't link it.

It is for the 875P chipset, but the technology hasn't really changed. On page 6 you can see a table that shows that 800 MHz FSB is even used with 266 MHz memory, however then look at the memory bandwidth column for both single and dual channel modes. Peak memory bandwidth that the P4 handles is 6.4 GB/second.

No simple way to compare this to AMD, except that dual channel is a memory bandwidth issue and not a means of increasing the FSB.

widely by the type of application and the total architectural design of the CPU and Chipset, Intel vs AMD, very large variations.

Ray gave the tech-no stuff.

So if I'm reading your post correct here's my view of the world.

You have a mobo with a max memory speed of 27 mph.
You have memory with a max speed of 27 mph.
So the machine runs at 27 mph.

You install memory with a max speed of 32 mph.
The mobo still has a max memory speed of 27 mph.
So the machine runs at 27 mph.


Now if you want to get into memory specs (cas-ras-cas/ras) etc.etc. (that stuff will give you a headache) you might find the 32 mph memory to be better but you might need a benchmark tool to see the diff.

My cloudy view of the world.

memory/CPU speed/processing question, and answered it as such.

Totally missed the fact that your specific mobo was limited to PC2700, and you may have only been asking if faster memory would help in your mobo. Sorry..

bob b gave you the specifics for your case