Overclocking my Q6600 to 3.4, DDR3 1600 needed?

[Godzaghe]

Hey guys first post on the great website.

I am buying loads of new stuff tomorrow to upgrade my PC but the RAM confuses me as i read in the 1.6.1 overclocking guide that you divide DDR3 by 4 to see the max FSB it can support. Therefore to OC my Q6600 to 3.4 i would need an FSB of 378 (x 9) to get 3.4.

The DDR3 RAM i was going to get it:

Crucial 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz/PC3-10600 Ballistix Memory Kit CL7 (7-7-7-24) 1.65V

But since this is rated 1333MHz, divide by 4 = 333, so the best i could OC my Q6600 is 3GHz? (333 x 9)

Do i need DDR3 1666MHz to be able to achieve 3.4GHz? (378 x 9) (obviously a max of 3.6 could be achieved but am not aiming for that).

Just seems odd that if i got DDR2 800MHz i could OC my Q6600 more than if i had DDR3 1333MHz (as you only divide DDR2 by 2, so 800 = 400 FSB.

I am buying the stuff tomorrow so need an answer ASAP! Any help much appreciated!

 

[4745454b]

Which does your motherboard support?

3.4GHz is odd, I'd shoot for 3.2 myself. DDR2 boards are cheap, and you'd only need 400MHz FSB. This means DDR2-800 ram. If you really want 3.4GHz you could see if your chip works with an 8.5 multiplier.

 

[Godzaghe]

Hey, 3.4 is prob the max i can force out of it, using the Artic Cooler Pro 7. And even if i want 3.2 there theory suggests i need more than 1333MHz on the RAM.

Heres the mobo:

ASUS Striker II NSE Republic of Gamers Series nForce 790i SLI Socket 775 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard

Cause I want SLI but want to keep my Q6600 too (so 775), so not much choice for boards, but this one was onlY £10 more than the 780i that's DDR2, so thought may as well take advantage of that newer technology plus as DDR3 is now the same price as DDR2. Also i could use it when i eventually do get another mobo when i get an I7 or whatever in 2-3 years time or so.

Is this theory in the guide true or is that just to keep that 1:1 ratio? Could I get the FSB over 333 with 1333 RAM?

Cheers for replying!

 

[andy5174]

DDR2-800 is more than sufficient for LGA775 CPUs, especially the 1066FSB CPUs.