hi! I've been searching on the net for this, but couldn't find any even remotely professional answer. So, there's a Intel CPU w/ a FSB of 533Mhz. Can one put DDR2 memory w/ a clock of 533Mhz together with this CPU?
Short answer: yes. Actually, you only need PC2100 if you're not overclocking. DDR and DDR2 (and DDR3 is under this) transfer data at the rise and fall of the clock, so while DDR266 runs at 133MHz, it's effectively 266MHz. Pentium 4/D/E and Core/Core 2 architectures all run a quad-pumped FSB. 533MHz=~2 x 266. As previously mentioned 266=133 x 2. The common frequency is 133MHz, and as long as that requirement is fulfilled, you'e good to go. As for using DDR(2)533, the illustration I use (and you may have heard me blabber this before) is this: RAM ratings are like tire speed ratings, in that they indicate the maximum speed they are guaranteed for. You would expect a tire rated for 150MPH to work fine at 40MPH. The same is true with RAM.
