Need help with ram dividers

[chromesocks]

First off, I'm a noob to overclocking.

I've ordered a q6600, ddr2 800 ram, a 750i FTW motherboard, 9800gt SLI, and a sunbeam core contact freezer cpu cooler (They haven't arrived yet).

The stock fsb for the q6600 is 266mhz and the multiplier is 9 (266*9= ~2.4)

And the ram speed is 400mhz (800/2)

I think that's what you do to get the numbers, correct me if I'm wrong.

So would that mean the ram divider is 266:400 = 133:200 (fsb:ram)

This ratio isn't like all the others i've seen (mostly containing single digit numbers) And I've read somewhere that ratios like 1:1 and 1:2 are more efficient.

So is it possible to have my ratio? Or will my ram automatically underclock to a lower number in order to get to a certain ratio? If not, should I overclock them or the cpu to get a more common ratio? Or lower the multiplier and turn up the fsb? I'm lost.

 

[4745454b]

You've got it, but you haven't finished the math. 266:400 = 2:3. (266 / 400 = 1.5, 2*1.5 = 3) The ram will probably run at whatever the SPD is set for. 2:3 is pretty common, so the FSB will be 266, and the ram will be running at 400MHz, or 800MHz DDR. Many of us like to lock the FSB and Ram ratios to 1:1, so each bump in FSB results in the same bump for the ram.

An easy overclock would be to lock the RAM and FSB to 1:1. Set the FSB to 400, resulting in a DDR-800MHz ram speed. This will be 3.6GHz for the CPU, so you either better be on water, or drop the multiplier down to 8 or 7. This will give you a quad core CPU at around 3GHz, and will fully use your 800MHz ram. Depending on your chip, you might/will need to give a bump to your Vcore.

 

[chromesocks]

OK, thanks, I think I'll try what you suggested when the parts arrive.

 

[4745454b]

Make sure you run it stock first. Don't start overclocking until you know for sure the parts are all good.

 

[chromesocks]

Alright, and for when I do start overclocking, for the Vcore, should i just leave it on auto, then gradually put it up till the system boots (after I put the cpu to 3GHz) or put it somewhat high, and keep putting it down till the system does not boot, then go back a step?

 

[4745454b]

I'd go with the first method. If it fails the boot, bump it up a small setting. Do your best to keep it under 1.4ish.

 

[chromesocks]

OK, thanks.

 

[olddman]

If you leave your voltage on auto; then you can check to see what it is useing CPU-Z. Been my experience, which is limited, that it always sets in the neighborhood of 1.4xx. That kinda gives you a starting point for a high setting.

 

[chromesocks]

Do you mean it sets it to 1.4xx after you've overclocked it, or at stock? Cause I want to try to keep it under "1.4ish" as 474545b said I should, when its at around 3ghz. Or you mean that I should set it there, and go down till it don't boot, and go back a step?