Windows 7: WEI Same for DDR2 800 and DDR2 667 - Confusion

Hi I am new here, long time reader and follower. This is my first post and you lot seem mighty helpful.



I just installed Win 7 RTM x64 - I had 5GB DDR 2 RAM, as follows:

1 GB DDR2 @ 533
1 GB DDR2 @ 533
2 GB DDR2 @ 667
1 GB DDR2 @ 667

My WEI was 5.5 for RAM. My chipset is INTEL DG965WH - latest BIOS, Drivers, Etc. My board supports dual channel DDR 2 RAM upto 800 and has 4 DIMM.

I purchased 2 x 2 GB DDR @ 800 and removed the 533 - totaling up to 7 GB

2 GB DDR2 @ 667
1 GB DDR2 @ 667
2 GB DDR2 @ 800
2 GB DDR2 @ 800

And guess what my WEI is still 5.5 for RAM!

I read my mobo manual and it said that RAM must match in speed and size.

So I tried as follows:

Channel 0: 2 GB DDR2 800
Channel 1: Empty

Channel 0: 2 GB DDR2 800
Channel 1: Empty

and

Channel 0: 2 GB DDR2 800
Channel 1: 2 GB DDR2 800

Channel 0: Empty
Channel 1: Empty

My WEI still reads as 5.5 - My memory timing according to everest is 5-5-5-15. I set the speed to manual is BIOS but am now confused as to why it is still reading as 5.5 when many users are reporting 7's with 4 GB DDR2 @ 800.

At least it should improve over 5.5 - please help.

Did you re-run the assessment?

Thanks for the quick reply mate. I did run the re-assessment, at least twice - but it is still reading as 5.5.

Just a thought my BIOS is set to RAID and not AHCI - would the later improve anything?

When I add my 667 3GB it reads as 7GB in Win 7, and my BIOS downgrades the speed to 667 for all 7GB - perhaps Win 7 is incorrectly reading my Board?

How do I check if the RAM is really working correctly and the WEI is just being a pain?

A WEI of 5.5 for 667MHz DDR2 is about right. Of course, putting mixed RAM speeds in will bring them all down to the speed of the slowest stick.

Maybe an increase from 667 mixed to 800MHz-only RAM as in your test isn't sufficient to register any improvement in WEI. It is a marginal upgrade after all.

Don't use the WEI 0-7 assessment because it won't notice smaller changes. instead, go to a command prompt and type in:

C:>winsat ram

and see what the MB/s is. You can use this to fine tune the system easier and get more accurate readings. I would run the assessment 3 times and take the average.

Thanks for the replies guys. My board can only go upto 8GB DDR2 - I was reading the manual and it seems my board is 'dated' so can't support anything better.

So what you're saying is that 5.5 for 7GB (mixed) is ok? I tried only 4 GB @ 800 DDR2 and it did not even budge from 5.5

I tried C: winsat ram and I got the following error:

Assessment 'ram' is not valid, I tried 'mem' and I got an average of 3620.20 mb/s - That's 12th on the Everest list - it's pretty bad huh? Or is that fine for 7GB. I remember Everest reporting something similar for 4GB 800 - 3600.40 mb/s when I check yesterday. Hence more confusion

I guess my real beef with all this is that will the 7GB I install make a difference or get utilized? Or is it just superficial?

what does "winsat query" show?
also
what does "winsat formal -v" show you?
if you are being penalized the command more verbose should show you...

and from what i know that is that i got 5.9 for my OCZ 4gb DDR2-800 so it is very weird...

can you fill your specs also?

It will make a difference in the amount of pagefile usage, resulting in less HDD access and overall smother OS operation.

Unlike going from 512, 1GB or even 2GB up to 4GB, the difference of going over 4GB is more subtle rather than instantly noticeable.

However if you rarely or never use over 4GB in all your usage, then sticking with 4Gb and faster performance may be more of a benefit than having 7GB of odd and slower ram.

Try using 4GB only for a week and then add the other 3Gb to see if you notice any real difference.

Well I get 4609 Mb/s with 4GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM, so that definitely looks bad. What manufacturer of RAM is it? Not being rude, but is it cheap stuff?

@ darkassain Updated my Specs. I don't understand what to look for in winsat formal etc. Could you explain a bit please.

@ ceejay My 2 x 2 GB DDR2 800 is TwinMOS - I have no idea if its any good - I live in Africa - I take what I get LOL. The other RAM is generic I think.

@ smarteyeball I will try 2 x 2 GB DDR2 800 as per your recommendations.

Thanks - it's weird though when I try 2 x 2 GB DDR 800 - I recall getting 5.5 as well - Anyways will check again.

UPDATE: 2 x 2 GB DDR 2 in Memory Read EVEREST 5579 mb/s, so I guess that means an improvement.

Winsat mem 3651 mb/s - I'm confused again.