Abit AB9, E6400, GEIL DDR-800, Raptor 78 GB fast system OC?

[SyPheR]

While the Abit AB9 is a very good overclocker I still have my doubts about the memory. I'm planning to buy the setup together with a fast Raptor system drive that will run Windows XP/Linux or maybe Vista programs. Could somebody tell me if this memory (GEIL DDR-800 2x 512MB) will be a good overclocker? Also I would like to know what would be the max setting for an E6400 (like running at 3GHz) while using stock cooling and keeping the temperature below 60 degrees C. If it's nessacary I will buy a zalman air cooler as I'm not planning on buying watercooling yet. Thx

 

[tribal0710]

If by max settings u reffer to max safe Vcore ... then u shouldnt exceed 1.5V. If u're full load temps stays below 65C then u could go to 1.55V but no more if u want to be sure that ur chip live at least 2-3 years. The Ram u choosed is ok... cause will hold up to 420-430 FSB at 1:1 ratio ... even more if u increase a bit the stock Vdimm or relax the latencies

 

[GSTe]

I got that RAM a couple of days ago. Its okay stuff... by okay I mean you have to put 2.1V through it to get the advertised timings. There is better memory, such as Mushkin XP2 PC6400 4-4-3-10 which only requires 1.9V to acheive these timings, and can apparently do 1066 4-4-4-12 straight out of the box, but then that's a damn site more expensive.

Are you considering any other Brands?

 

[SyPheR]

Are you considering any other Brands?

Well, not really if this CL4 4-4-12 memory can get my system up and running at 3 Ghz for a good price I'll be happy. Maybe if it's really a better choice to choose Kingston HyperX 1 GB DDR2-800 with 1.9V I might consider buying that.
I think that's a healthy (low temp, longer lifetime) cpu overclock instead of driving it towards it's limits. A few Mhz more you won't notice in speed difference. Only with very very heavy appz.
The overclock to 3Ghz would need a replacement for the stock cooler right? I think the Zalman CNPS 9500 will do just fine?

 

[GSTe]

Yeah that's a good cooler, but pricey compared to some. Personally I've got an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on my E6600. Works a treat and only half the price of the Zalman. Stick with the Geil if your happy with it. Its just that I've heard that its nigh on impossible to get the timings down from those advertised, but that's no biggie to me.... got mine running at 4-4-4-12 and its fine. Funnily enough I've also got a Raptor and an ABit board (AW9D)... spooky....

 

[SyPheR]

That's indeed very spooky Anyways thx for telling me your cooler brand as it's indeed a very very good cooler and silent too. The reason I wanted to buy that Zalman is because of it's silent performance.
Thx for that.

 

[GSTe]

No worries. Hope the OC goes well

 

[SyPheR]

Wowsers.....I've found this new memory module G.E.I.L. 1 GB DDR2-667 (Bulk, GX21GB5300SX) :O

CAS Latency (CL) 3
RAS-to-CAS-Delay (tRCD) 4
RAS-Precharge-Time (tRP) 4
Row-Active-Time (tRAS) 8

runs @ 1,9 - 2,4 Voltage

Would this be a beast for overclocking or what? For only 10 € more then the other GEIL DDR-800 module.

 

[GSTe]

Could well be the same part.... the ddr800 might run at those timings at 667. I'll give it a go tomorrow and let you know.

 

[SyPheR]

GSTe, I think it's best to use DDR2-800...you will be able to let it run @ 500mhz according to Wusy's OC Guide. http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/Core2Duo-Overclocking-Guide-v1-ftopict197995.html

 

[GSTe]

That depends on the RAM.... don't think the Geil would reach that personally. Not really neccessary with an E6600 either. Because it has a 9x multiplier, a relatively low FSB is needed for reasonable OCs...... 333 FSB x9 gives 3Gig, and 400 FSB x9 = 3.6GHz..... would you be wanting to go further than this? But yes I'd go for DDR800 every time just to have the extra headroom. Quad cores with 1333FSB (actual 333) are here already, so it shouldn't be too long before they hit the mainstream and you may need the higher RAM frequencies....

Not sure how far the cooler would let you go anyway. Perhaps try googling it and see what other people have acheived. Personally I'm only aiming for 3 GHz (which I'm going to try tomorrow!).

 

[SyPheR]

That depends on the RAM.... don't think the Geil would reach that personally. Not really neccessary with an E6600 either. Because it has a 9x multiplier, a relatively low FSB is needed for reasonable OCs...... 333 FSB x9 gives 3Gig, and 400 FSB x9 = 3.6GHz..... would you be wanting to go further than this? But yes I'd go for DDR800 every time just to have the extra headroom. Quad cores with 1333FSB (actual 333) are here already, so it shouldn't be too long before they hit the mainstream and you may need the higher RAM frequencies....

Not sure how far the cooler would let you go anyway. Perhaps try googling it and see what other people have acheived. Personally I'm only aiming for 3 GHz (which I'm going to try tomorrow!).

YEs, indeed....I agree with you....it's the extra multiplier that makes a big difference between E6300 and E6400/E6600....that's why I choose E6400 now. Please inform me about your OC and temps as you will use the same cooler. I'll buy my setup at the end of the week I'll guess. thx

 

[GSTe]

I feel stupid.... thought you were getting an E6600!?! Yes, DDR800 for an E6400. I'll let you know how the OC goes anyway....

 

[bengkiam]

Are you considering any other Brands?

Well, not really if this CL4 4-4-12 memory can get my system up and running at 3 Ghz for a good price I'll be happy. Maybe if it's really a better choice to choose Kingston HyperX 1 GB DDR2-800 with 1.9V I might consider buying that.
I think that's a healthy (low temp, longer lifetime) cpu overclock instead of driving it towards it's limits. A few Mhz more you won't notice in speed difference. Only with very very heavy appz.
The overclock to 3Ghz would need a replacement for the stock cooler right? I think the Zalman CNPS 9500 will do just fine?

HyperX PC6400? hmm not so good to oc, but not bad.
Tuniq Tower 120! this is the best air cooler cpu (and cheaper than Zalman CNPS9500)

 

[cdyckes]

If money is not a consideration, try the Geil 3-3-3-8 memory (GX22GB6400PDC) as in this link:-

Geil Ultra DDR2

They genuinely run at this timing, albeit at 2.4V and 70 degrees C, so really need a cooling fan for the memory.

I'm just building and testing a QX6700 Extreme system with the Intel Bad-Axe2 Mobo and have so far got it up to 3.47GHz on standard fan, hopefully will go even higher on Zalman Reserator2.

 

[cdyckes]

Interesting point about which route to take to overclock.

My best stable achieved speed for the QX6700 (still on standard cooler though fan at full blast) is 3707MHz. This is with a CPU voltage increased to 1.5275V, and a multiplier of 13 from a 285MHz clock.

The Geil 3-3-3-8 memory had to be slowed down to settings of 4-4-4-10 at 2.4V and a 266MHZ reference clock and 800MHz FSB.

1GHz overclock before starting on the watercooling looks a pretty good result to me.

Can you suggest other values for Bad Axe 2 that might do better still?

 

[cdyckes]

I must be missing something, or the BadAxe2 may not support that setup. The FSB runs at 1066Mhz and the ram runs at 667 or 800MHz, hence the use of 3-3-3-8 timing at 800MHz and the Geil recommended 2.4v to get best cycle times. The core at 1.5375v and 13x290 gives a cpu clock of 3770MHz.

Don't see any means of getting the Ram bus to 1066MHz, and doesn't your suggested 5-5-5-15 at 1066 give lower memory throuhput than 3-3-3-8 at 800?

Any suggestions (or links to other sites where people have overclocked the bad-axe2 board and QX6700 would be appreciated)

(And apologies for hi-jacking this thread !)