FSB - CPU - RAM clockspeeds?

hminh87

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Aug 22, 2007
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(correct me if I'm wrong)
If I learned correctly the clockspeed of the motherboard multiplier is x4 while for the RAM it is x2.
So if I am going to purchase a mainboard and CPU running at 1333mhz (P35 & a Intel EXX50).
Based on the FSB multiplier I get 1333/4 = 333mhz for the CPU.
A DDR2 PC-5400 of 667mhz would fit right in, right? Since 667 / 2 = 333mhz. Especially when running dual channel.

But there is also an option of a 800mhz RAM module(Or even 1333mhz DDR3 RAM). The question is: Is it's a good idea and Will the setup get any boost in performance with any of them? (not overclocked)

Btw, hello everyone ;) My first post here.

Should I go for the P35 motherboards or not?

Here's the setup I'm thinking of:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850
RAM: OCZ PC2-5400 Gold Edition / Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX / Corsair TWIN3X2048-1333C9 G DDR3


 

andybird123

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you're absolutely correct on the first bit

if you're not overlcocking at all, and don't plan to be, there's very little advantage in getting DDR2-800 and even less point in getting DDR3 (due to the massive cost of DDR3)

but the bigger question is, why not get DDR2-800 and an E6750 @ 400fsb giving you an overall faster PC for less money
 

hminh87

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You mean I could overclock the E6750 from 4 x 333 = 1333mhz to 4 x 400 = 1600mhz? Can P35 mainboards handle this clockspeed?

 

zenmaster

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Yes it can.

However, if you are not going to OC, get the E6850.

Why are you not planning to OC?
This is something you should really read about.

There is no reason not to do it.
There is not really any risk to your components so long as you do not apply excessive voltage to the CPU.

Without upping the voltage, you can likely hit 3.6Ghz on the new 1333 Mhz Intel Chips.
 

hminh87

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E6750 @ 400mhz
Is it the kind of overclocking that can be used everyday?

And by the way, wouldn't it be better with a Q6600?
 

a4092940

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Now that you've been bullied into getting an E6750 ( ;) ) and overclocking it from 4x333 to 4x400 (effectively 2.6Ghz to 3.2Ghz), do you get DDR2-800 to match the 400mhz of the CPU or do you get DDR2-1066 which is faster at stock speed?

Will the DDR2-1066 RAM be more effective than the DDR2-800 RAM coupled with the 400mhz FSB??
 

hminh87

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Alright... My new setting will be with a E6850 OC @ 400mhz to fit the RAM modules @ 800mhz.
Sounds cool. But I'm a little worry about the stability of the system. I mean, OC to 400mhz isn't just a small step.
My question still hasnt been answered: Is this the kind of OC that I can use everyday?
 

zenmaster

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That is a very small step.

This will take the E6850 from 3.0 to 3.6Ghz.
If you read the reviews on the E6850, you will see that is does not start needing a voltage increase until about 3.8Ghz.

So from this CPUs point of view, you are not really pushing it that hard.

I'm actually running my 1.8Ghz CPU at 3.0Ghz at below normal voltage.
It runs cool, quiet and reliably.

Basically at this point in Time, Intel has such a processing power advantage over what AMD can provide they are shipping their CPUs anywhere near their max potential. This gives them both great yields and plenty of room to release incrementally better processors to counter AMD.

Back in the day when AMD and Intel were in a tougher battle, both companies shipped their top chips much closer to their actual max potential.
 

jwolf24601

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It's a pretty small step for the Core 2 Duo line.

I have my e4300 oc to 300fsb (from 200) and it runs smooth and cool.

Lots of people take the Core 2 Duo chips past 450mhz stable

The Gigabyte Motherboard is one of the best for overclocking and should have no problems running 400mhz 24/7