Advice on OCing DDR2/800?

I had planned on G.Skill 2x2 GB PC2-8500 for my P5Q Pro, but Asus' web site lists that product as qualified for 2 sticks but not for 4. Couldn't reach a live person to ask if the QV lists were up to date.

So now I'm looking at two G.Skill 2x2 GB PC2-6400 kits that ASus lists as qualified for up to 4 sticks. One is 4-4-4-12 at 2.0-2.1V and the other 5-5-5-15 at 1.8-1.9V. Both have their usual blue tint heat spreaders. Which is likely to provide a better base for OC?


(There is also a Kingston ValueRam 2 GB that is listed as qualified: 5 Cas (other timings not provided), 1.975V, no heat spreader.)

First, stay away from DIMMs that have spec voltages higher than 1.9V, since those are modules that are already overclocked by the factory.
Second, remember that DDR2-800 speed is plenty for up to a 1600MHz datarate FSB. Is your goal an FSB faster than that? If so, how fast do you want to go?

Knotknut:

4 GB initially under XP. If I keep it long enough for MS to produce an OS I can tolerate I'll go to 8 GB under V64 or W7. Natch all same.

Mondoman:

As normal nowadays, I'll be GPU and/or HD limited most of all, RAM after that, CPU least (E8400 or E8500). So OCing the RAM is not first priority but I plan to get what I can at voltages and temperatures that don't scare me.

I read your advice as: take the 5-5-5-15s because of the lower stock voltage. Yes?

railroaderrom:

At that price I assume you mean 1 GB sticks. 1 GB sticks can almost always go faster (no one even makes 2 GB DDR2/1200) but I need 2x2 for reason above.