registered vs. unbuffered RAM???

[stangcrazy]

Ok, i'm looking at buying some new RAM for my computer and online at Newegg.com I'm seeing registered vs. unbuffered RAM, what the hell is the difference guys?

Also, I'm going to be buying DDR PC3200 RAM but my computer is DDR PC2100, i know they are compatible and the RAM will just run at my bus speed, but someone told me about changing the timings or something like that stuff i'm looking at is like 3-4-4-8 i think. Can anyone knowledgeable in this stuff tell me what exactly i should do to make it run at full potential?

Thanks in advance

[dmh165638]

Registered and Buffered memory are mainly used in very high end systems or servers. Most desktop motherboards do not require either. Registered memory holds data in a register for one clock cycle to help with reliability of the data. Buffered memory is to help the motherboard chipset deal with the large electrical load of having a large amount of memory and data flow on servers.

As far as the timings go there is no real way to know other than just playing with them. If you buy PC3200 with 3-4-4-8 timings and then run it at PC2100 speed it might run at CL2.5 3-3-7 for example. There is no rule of thumb to go by but generall the higher end memory will be more successful at running at tighter(lower) timings. Good Luck.