I was just wondering: My CPU only supports RAM with a bandwidth of up to 800 MHz (PC2-6400), but my motherboard (GigaByte GA-MA790X-DS4) supports up to 1066 MHz (PC2-8500). So I was wondering, can I buy a stick of PC2-8500 RAM while still using my current processor, and expect the RAM to run at the slower bandwidth of 800 MHz? That way, I can buy my RAM now and upgrade my CPU later, which I intended to do anyway, even before I had my RAM problem. Many thanks in advance Col Immitation is the sincerest form of copyright infringement.

What RAM problem are you having? And you don't state how much RAM you currently have or whether it's one stick, two sticks, etc. Adding another stick may end up kicking the system out of dual channel mode. As for your question, if you'd have checked the memory support list at Gigabyte, you'd have your answer...the RAM will "downgrade to DDR2 800" http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList... Also, pay attention to this: Note: Due to AMD AM2+ CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is only supported by 1 dimm per channel.

That bit you highlighted in red there: Do you know if that problem will still exist when I upgrade to an AM3 CPU? If it will, then buying 1066 sticks is probably not worth it. The reason I didn't state my RAM was because I currently don't have any. That's the RAM problem, which is a bit of a long story. To cut the story short, it's like this: Used to have a Geforce 8600GTS and two 1 GB sticks of Corsair PC2-6400 XMS2 RAM, CL 4-4-4-12. The Geforce 8600GTS suddenly developed a problem which make the picture garbled, as you can see here: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y2... That picture was taken when I tested the card in my brother's PC, hence the XP login screen. So anyway, sent the 8600GTS back to Ebuyer as it is still in warranty. Meanwhile, as this made my computer unusable, my brother seized the moment to steal my RAM, so I figured I could either try to get the RAM back, or use it as an opportunity to get new RAM. For a similar price to what I paid for that RAM initially, I can now get 4 GB instead of 2 GB, even though it'd have a slightly worse latency of 4-5-5-15. Or I could buy new RAM AND get my old RAM back. That'd be good, unless as you say, it makes me lose dual channel. Obviously 1066 sticks with my current procesor would mean that dual channel isn't possible... Immitation is the sincerest form of copyright infringement.

"Do you know if that problem will still exist when I upgrade to an AM3 CPU?" Why would you install an AM3 CPU in an AM2/AM2+ board? The advantages of the AM3 is support for DDR3 RAM & HyperTransport 3.0. AM3 CPUs will be backwards compatible with older AM2/AM2+ boards, but obviously you'll be losing out on some of the features that will only be available with true AM3 boards. Get you RAM back from your bother & tell him to buy his own. 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-800 can be found for $20 after rebate...check newegg.com or frys.com. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ... BTW, you mention the RAM timings...in most cases, all you have to do is manually configure them to better settings.

Well my original intention when I built this computer was to keep as much of my hardware for as long as possible and only upgrade the parts which I needed to play the games I wanted, hence why I have an AM2+ motherboard. I read up on compatibility between AM2 and AM3 a while back. Can't remember if am AM2+ CPU would work on an AM3 board so that I can make a more gradual change. I don't think it does. But for the last couple of months I've been thinking it was a bad idea and I might just end up changing the motherboard, RAM and CPU anyway if AM3 doesn't prove to be as good as I'd hoped. I know that DDR2 is only really there to bridge the gap from DDR, and that DDR3 is really what I should have waited for. And I've never been keen on changing RAM timings and overclocking and things like that. I'm not worried about it reducing the lifespan of the parts; I'm more worried about overheating. I've got my eye on the ATI 4870 to replace my "unfixable" graphics card, but its high temperature is making me reluctant. Immitation is the sincerest form of copyright infringement.