I agree with you, unless the server is running low on available memory (the example is not) then faster RAM will make more of a difference than more RAM.

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Can you comment on if the MSS can adapt to voltages other than 1.8 volts for the ram? I'm thinking that most likely it can, but I've yet to see one running anything other than 1.8 volt.

It won't automatically adjust the voltage higher than 1.8. I tried a stick of PC8500 (1066) RAM in my EX490 and it only ran at 400Mhz with 1.8V (it requires 2.1V to run 533Mhz). So, unless you can find faster ram that can still run on 1.8V, there is no way to take advantage of faster RAM. Unless, of course, someone figures out a way to get into BIOS and manually set the voltages, which may be possible with one of those VGA cables.

I believe this is the only page in the BIOS with memory settings, I'll try to double-check again tonight.

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Do you know how the SPD was configured on this memory? So what is the difference between JEDEC and EPP? it appears to auto configure to the JEDEC setting...

JEDEC = Joint Electron Device Engineering Council

A formal standards setting body, and an industry-wide standard testing method of stating specifications. ISO approved. Been around for decades.


EPP = Enhanced Performance Profiles

A non formal standard...

Maybe adjusting DRAM Frequency will make it run faster, although I still doubt it without bumping up the voltage. There may be another BIOS screen to manage the voltages (I've seen it both ways on different boards).

It does that because of the voltage. It did the same thing in my Gigabyte board, until I went in and locked the RAM voltage at 2.1V. All of the "performance" RAM I've seen requires 2.1-2.2V to run at its full speed, and will downclock to 800Mz on"stock" voltage.

This Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model CT25664AA1067 appears to be PC2 8500 ram running at 1.8 volts to my eyes...

Model
Brand Crucial
Model CT25664AA1067
Type 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Tech Spec
Capacity 2GB
Speed DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Cas Latency 7
Voltage 1.8V
ECC No
Buffered/Registered Unbuffered
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts Lifetime limited
Labor Lifetime limited

Didn't see that one... and holly smokes it's expensive! Also, the timings aren't great, but it's probably as good as it's going to get, especially at 1.8V. But yeah, I guess it may work (if it's not a typo). I already have too much DDR2 RAM, and at these prices, I don't really want to buy more, but if someone wants to bet $60 on it and try it, I'd be curious to see if it worked.

The speed of ram does matter but the amount too improves. Trust me the improvement from going 2GB to 4GB is quite noticeable even on this machine. I did the RAM upgrade after I did the CPU so I saw the performance both ways. So is it possible to put 2.1+ V RAM in or not? If someone finds a 4GB 2.1V PC8500 DIMM let me know where and I will be the test.

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It's possible, but it most likely won't run at its full rated speed at the stock voltage. So your two options are:
1. Find RAM that runs full speed at 1.8V
2. Buy the VGA cable and see if BIOS will let you override the DRAM voltage.

Just wonder if anyone will be willing to share this 4GB kit with me, it will be PC8500 running default at 1.8V, since EX490/495 can take only 1 stick and the ocz doesn't come with a single stick

http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-PC2-8500-Plat ... B002845LDC

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sounds like a worthwhile test, except no one has it in stock to buy:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... s=sellers#

Mitch

For the sake of the 6MB cache performance, I've changed my E6300 to E8400, turn out to be quite promising. Running OCCT at this moment and not exceeding 64 C, idle in the low 30s C as well. Time to sell my E6300....

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That E8400 is very pricey, at Newegg it is $168, the E8200 @ Microcenter seems like a better deal, at $100, it has the 6MB cache, processor is 2.66Ghz though, versus 3.0Ghz for the E8400. they both have 6MB of cache, they are both 65W CPU's as well.

Not sure the .340 Ghz is worth $68 more.

Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

Microcenter: http://www.microcenter.com/single_produ ... id=0312980

P.S. someone might as well just go for it, and put in a Q9550, Quad Processor, those are $170 @ Microcenter on sale. It is a 95W chip though (still a 45nm chip), so you would have to figure out some kind of fan to go onto the heat sink, may not be a good idea. 2.83Ghz, 12MB cache, 95W.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_produ ... id=0299412