Santa Rosa... DDR2 800?

[wakerider017]

Looks like we can now use DDR2 800 memory..

http://crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=iMac 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (24-inch)

Or are we downclocked to 667mhz?

 

[oduinnin]

Looks like we can now use DDR2 800 memory..

http://crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=iMac 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (24-inch)

Or are we downclocked to 667mhz?

Apple says 667MHz for memory, yet the system bus is 800MHz. I guess we'll know more when someone puts the 800MHz modules in and runs some tests.

 

[flopticalcube]

Apple says 667MHz for memory, yet the system bus is 800MHz. I guess we'll know more when someone puts the 800MHz modules in and runs some tests.

FSB <> Memory Bus. Memory controller still runs at 667MHz, according to Intel.

 

[Cole Slaw]

I wonder what Apple is actually putting in the new iMacs, 667 or 800?
Did anyone on this forum with a new iMac ever take the module that came with their computer out, and check?

 

[flopticalcube]

I wonder what Apple is actually putting in the new iMacs, 667 or 800?
Did anyone on this forum with a new iMac ever take the module that came with their computer out, and check?

Given the astronomical cost of DDR-800, I doubt it.

 

[furious]

The memory controller runs at 667mhz. 800mhz RAM may work but it will still be only running at 667mhz.

 

[Cole Slaw]

Right, well my brother's new 24" iMac should be arriving Friday or Monday, and he's getting it with the standard 1 gig or ram.
He has a one gig stick of 667 ram from an earlier iMac and I guess he would be happy if the new iMacs do come with 667, so he can throw in his stick to make 2 gigs.
I suppose if the iMac came with 800 it might not work well with the 667 he wants to put in when he gets his machine.

 

[oduinnin]

Right, well my brother's new 24" iMac should be arriving Friday or Monday, and he's getting it with the standard 1 gig or ram.
He has a one gig stick of 667 ram from an earlier iMac and I guess he would be happy if the new iMacs do come with 667, so he can throw in his stick to make 2 gigs.
I suppose if the iMac came with 800 it might not work well with the 667 he wants to put in when he gets his machine.

Once again, Apple Technical specs say it uses / has installed 667MHz DDR2.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Intel Mac Memory Specs.
And I have to say, this is Thread # 15 this week on Intel Mac memory. Searching is a good thing...

I suspect that Crucial's listing of an 800 MHz module has more to do with making more money, than it does with improving the performance of the Mac (which it won't)

 

[daneoni]

The new iMacs use the same RAM as the all intel machines to date and NO DDR2 800 wont work....properly. It will be recognised but it wont use the full 800MHz but rather tops out at 667MHz.

Dunno why Crucial is selling a product based on misinformation

more info here

 

[weckart]

Santa Rosa tops out at 667MHz for memory, whether Mac, Windows or Linux. Not an Apple limitation. Other PC users have installed 800MHz memory (reviews on ebuyer.com) only to find it clocks down to 667MHz. Ergo, money wasted.

 

[reverie669]

Apple will most likely release a patch or a firmware update when 800mhz memory is released for laptops. I have a MBP with the santa rosa chip set (800mhz bus). It doesnt make sense to be unable to utilize 800mhz ram if you have an 800mhz bus... does it?

 

[Magnus Reftel]

Apple will most likely release a patch or a firmware update when 800mhz memory is released for laptops. I have a MBP with the santa rosa chip set (800mhz bus). It doesnt make sense to be unable to utilize 800mhz ram if you have an 800mhz bus... does it?

No, they are not likely to do that. The memory controller simply does not support 800MHz memory. The frequency of the FSB is not of interest.

 

[AlexisV]

I understand memory speed isn't the factor is used to be. There is little difference between 533 and 667 and 533 was occasionally faster in some game benchmarks for some reason!

 

[Pressure]

I understand memory speed isn't the factor is used to be. There is little difference between 533 and 667 and 533 was occasionally faster in some game benchmarks for some reason!

Probably because of lower memory timings of the DDR2-533.

 

[Vanilla]

I got the matched pair DDR2 800mhz 4GB Pack from Crucial (2*2gb). (Note I had no preconceived ideas about the speed, I just followed the directions on the site to find the RAM suitable for my new machine)

When I installed both cards in my new 24"iMac 2.8ghz that arrived this morning the machine would not startup. It would only work with one of the new 2GB cards combined with a 1GB card that came with the machine. In that combination 3GB was visible and the speed was shown as 667mhz. But putting BOTH 2gb cards in failed every time.

I am returning the 4GB pack and they will send me a new pack at 667MHZ speeds. The Crucial guy said that they have been getting similar complaints from others who have bought this pack, but apparently some machines are fine.

Vanilla