Matching CPU/Motherboard FSB to RAM Speed?

[rkr1958]

1. The last system I built (my current system) was 3.5+ years ago. It's CPU FSB is 800-MHz. The motherboard supports both 800-Mhz & 533-MHz FSB. The RAM I got is PC3200, which clocks at 400-MHz, so that my motherboard would run at 800-MHz FSB, or 2 x CPU speed.

2. Now for fun, I was pricing a Core Duo CPU & motherboard at newegg. The CPU FSB is 1066-MHz. The motherboard runs at a FSB of 1066-MHz or 800-Mhz and supports RAM speeds of 533-MHz, 667-MHz & 800-MHz.

3. Now my questions. Would DDR2 800-MHz run faster than DDR2 533-MHz with this CPU/MB combo? What CPU/MB/DDR2 combo would optimize both FSB and RAM speed?

[Krispy Kritter]

Basically what you are looking for is memory that supports the native speed (FSB) of the cpu. Most newer motherboards, like the one you are looking at, support faster memory speeds. The faster memory just runs at the native speed of the cpu under normal conditions. This is no different than it has ever been, even with your old (current pc). The only reason faster memory would ever be needed would be if you plan to OC. The only real benefit for the casual user in this case, is that you have a much larger selection of memory.

[videobread]

Even the top of the line Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® processor 5160 3.0 GHz 4 MB L2 cache 1333 MHz front side bus is running 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
The Intel® Core™2 Extreme processor QX6700 2.66 GHz 2 x 4 MB L2 cache 1066 MHz front side bus is also running 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
The Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6700 2.67 GHz 4 MB 1066 MHz FSB is running 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
Down to the lowly Intel® Core™2 Duo processor E4300 1.80 GHz 2 MB L2 cache 800 MHz front side bus is also running 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.