Building first PC -- memory question

[stringman]

I'm building my first PC and used this site as my starting point for component selection. I found this site extremely useful - the reviews that I could link to helped out a lot. Based on the reading I've done today, I think I probably should have done a bit more reading into memory selection.

The PC will be a general use computer. I selected the 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 and the Asus P4C800-E motherboard. I ordered the Corsair TWINX1024-4000PT 1GB DDR500 dual channel memory. The writeup mentioned that the matched memory pairs are specifically designed for motherboards using chipsets with dual memory channels. One of the chipsets mentioned was the 875P (which is on the Asus).

Will the DDR500 cause problems with the Asus (it mentions support for dual channel DDR400)? If I need to return the memory and get 1GB in the DDR400 range should I stick with Corsair or is there a better memory choice?

Thanks in advance for your help. Hopefully this isn't too ignorant of a post.

[morriswindgate]

It will just run at the 400 speed unles you overclock the system.

[Looneycooney]

true unless offcourse u get some money back then i would return and take ddr400 just for the fact at 500 it will never run on that mobo ..and corsair is surely one of best if not the best kingston is a bit cheaper but then again on the corsairs u get passive/active cooling i thought so...

[ric449]

The memory will run on the mobo, but it will not be going at the full ddr500 speed, it will be running at ddr400 unless you overclock the fsb like morriswindgate said.

[Panama Red]

I've seen where several overclockers are running DDR500 ram. The "stock" clock speed for that board is 200 which converts to 800 fsb (quad pumped). The recommended DDR400 is dual data rate (hence the DDR) and also runs at 200 giving you a 1:1 ratio of fsb to memory. When running the DDR500 memory modules, you will be able to run your fsb clock up to 250 and maintain that desireable 1:1 ratio.

If you have no plans to overclock, then, as others have said, it's a waste of money as it will only be running as DDR400. Exchanging it would be recommended at that point.

[stringman]

Thanks for all your input. I don't think I'm quite ready for overclocking, so I'll save myself the extra 75 dollars. Thanks again.