advice on fsb or higher mem

[jj_mclure]

quick advice seeking message.

play batt2 alot.

i can raise fsb to 224 on 2.8 cpu to 3.1 but mem is only at 320 mhz and timings 2 3 3 6

or

i can lower fsb to 202 and mem is 400 mhz with timings at 2.5 3 3 6

would either setup make a difference in games. i heard games prefer high memory speed as opposed to higher cpu.

 

[Scougs]

It sounds like you are talking about either a Pentium 4 or a Celeron. Can you give any more information like how much cache you have or which core your CPU has? Depending on your CPU core, you might be able to get a bigger overclock out of your CPU. If you could run your fsb at 250 you could run your memory at DDR400 with a divider.

I would tend to expect that the overclocked CPU with the slower memory would do better but you wouldn't benefit as much as you would with matched memory speed. The only way to be sure is to benchmark it both ways and see which one scores higher.

 

[jj_mclure]

my specs

p4 2.8 prescott
2 gigs ram (ocz 4 sticks dual channel 2 sticks are 2 3 3 6 & 2 are 2.5 3 3 6
asus p4p800 se
nvidia 6800gs 256mb

 

[Scougs]

I am a bit surprised that you can only get 3.1GHz out of the CPU. I would have expected that you could get at least 3.2 - 3.3 but then again maybe you are using stock cooling and don't want to cook it. Have you adjusted the memory or CPU voltage at all? I am going to assume that you have value memory since you can't get it to run beyond DDR400. You might try turning off PAT in the bios to see if you can get your ram to go any higher.

I have a 2.8 Northwood running at 3.64GHz with just a modest voltage boost on the CPU (1.550 vs. 1.525 sock). With a 260 fsb, I can still run my memory around DDR400.

Anyway, as I said before, you will probably see some gains by running 3.1GHz with slower memory. My ram will run up around DDR450, but the CPU will overclock about 500MHz more if I slow the memory down. I noticed an increase in performance when running max CPU with slower memory than max memory and slower CPU.

 

[jj_mclure]

i'm now running 3.2 and ram at 2 3 3 6 320 MHZ

that's not too bad. I have a zalmon CNPS Copper so the CPU runs no hotter than 50c at full load.

the ram cannot be pushed anymore than a 5:4 ratio. the ram is OCZ performance series. I didn't up any voltages. think that would help? the prescott voltage is variable. I didn't know whether I should set a static voltage. I could up the voltage on the ram but I don't think the little perf boost is necessary. I would only do it if the system was unstable.

thanks for your help.

 

[Scougs]

Memory voltage can make a big difference on the clock speeds and timings that your ram can manage. I don't know about your ram specifically but I have OCZ enhanced latency and it is covered by warantee up to 2.8V. Some OCZ ram is waranteed to 2.9 or 3.0 volts. I borrowed some DDR550 ram from a friend, and it wouldn't do DDR500 without about 2.9 volts, but the ram was designed to take up to 3.1. Your ram might be able to keep up if you increase its voltage. It may require you to lower your fsb a little. Either that or you can try to push your CPU furthur.

 

[Scougs]

Have you tried pushing your fsb to 250MHz so that your ram can run at DDR400 and your CPU at 3.5GHz? That would be a pretty sweet setup.

 

[Datman]

Have you set the memory speed to manual or auto? Manual is better.

Like Scougs said, up the voltage a little, but not too much at once. That's for both the memory and CPU. Lock the AGP & PCI bus too. Other than that the motherboard might be limiting your overclocking.

 

[jj_mclure]

my memory is set at manual and that is how i set the timings and speed. i am going to up the voltage. i think the modules shouldn't get too hot. i know the memory is capable of more. i don't wanna clock my CPU to 3.5 ghz. i don't want to run my fans too loud with all the heat generated.

 

[Datman]

http://www.obm.co.nz/OBMNew/800x600/guides/ddrram.htm
Some info on memory.

Lossen the memory timings a little, 3,4,4,7 and see if you can keep 1:1 ratio.
The CPU should run at 3.22GHz FSB 230 with no problems.

 

[jj_mclure]

thanks for that link datman. that's very helpful.

yeh, 230 fsb is no problem for me. when i first got the prescott everybody said it runs to hot to overclock. but this thing really does overclock very well. and it is so stable. the only thing holding me back is the ram. which I said i am going to up the voltage.