Socket AM2 screws up the DDR2 clock

jmke · 22nd May 2006, 17:50

It seems that AMD's memory controller has a bit of a maths problem. It has a habit of downclocking the system memory by a notch or two. Nothing serious, of course, it's just a matter of the fact that the HyperTransport divider is set at "5", and the number it is dividing is 1000. As we all know, 1000MHz is the actual clock of HyperTransport links. So, AMD works at "200" as a base, which is great if you have memory running at 200MHz, 400MHz, 600MHz, 800MHz, 1000MHz, and 1200MHz and so on.

But, if you have "shock-combo" DDR-I/II memory that runs at 333, 533, 667MHz, you could be in a bit of ruff'n'tumble. And just by accident, that DDR-II memory standard has several speed grades, including those at 533 and 667MHz.

22nd May 2006, 17:50	#1
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,013	Socket AM2 screws up the DDR2 clock It seems that AMD's memory controller has a bit of a maths problem. It has a habit of downclocking the system memory by a notch or two. Nothing serious, of course, it's just a matter of the fact that the HyperTransport divider is set at "5", and the number it is dividing is 1000. As we all know, 1000MHz is the actual clock of HyperTransport links. So, AMD works at "200" as a base, which is great if you have memory running at 200MHz, 400MHz, 600MHz, 800MHz, 1000MHz, and 1200MHz and so on. But, if you have "shock-combo" DDR-I/II memory that runs at 333, 533, 667MHz, you could be in a bit of ruff'n'tumble. And just by accident, that DDR-II memory standard has several speed grades, including those at 533 and 667MHz. __________________

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