RAM and system performance(gaming)

[strategoslc]

Hi, I just recently put together my first build with the following specs. I'm new to overclocking and have a few questions. I built a gaming computer and it seems to work adequately on high settings, but I know it can do more.. I tried playing amnesia: the dark descent max setting and was getting around 30-50 fps. I know a gtx 580 should easily be able to do more, since a 5570 max bench was getting 50-60fps. I'm only playing on a 16:9 res and 2ms response. Also, my temps are ok, its just that they shouldn't be this high with such a good hsf and small OC. my i7 950 3.85ghz OC is about 40-48 idle and wont go past 80c load with a noctua NH-d14 and default paste. Is my 1333 corsair ram OC (1339) holding me back or is it something else? Please respond. Thanks.

Motherboard: asus rampage 3 formula
Processor: intel core i7 950 @ 3.85ghz w/ Noctua NH-D14 HSF and Paste it came with
RAM: Corsair 1333 RAM set to auto timings (OC 1339mhz)
PSU: Zalaman 1000 watt
Case: Cooler Master Haf X
GPU: GTX 580sc
HDD: Hitachi 500gb Sata 3gbs

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Those temps are way to high, so yes, that's holding you back. It would appear that you used either the XMP profile setting or CPU Level UP feature to get to a 160 BCLK. With a CPU multiplier of 24, that gives you the 3.84 GHz CPU speed; similarly mem multiplier would be set to 8, which should have resulted in a 1280 speed not 1339. These auto level up features are way to generous on the voltage settings.

The other scenario I can imagine is a BCLK of 167. With a mem multi of 8, that makes the RAM speed 1336 and a CPU multiplier of 23, makes the CPU speed 3.85

Do the job manually and follow the OC guide here paying specific attention to voltage optimization.

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20081220191040237&board_id=1&model=P6T+Deluxe&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

That will help you get ya temps down but if ya wanna go beyond 3.85, you either have to upgrade to 1600 MHz RAM modules or drop ya memory multiplier to 6.

Possible options w/ 1333 RAM - multipliers in ( )

At 177 BCLK, you can get to 3.91 GHz (22) and 1066 MHz (6)
At 200 BCLK, you can get to 4.0 GHz (20) and 1200 MHz (6)

Possible options w/ 1600 RAM - multipliers in ( )

At 180 BCLK, you can get to 3.96 GHz (22) and 1440 MHz (8)
At 185 BCLK, you can get to 4.07 GHz (22) and 1480 MHz (8)
At 190 BCLK, you can get to 3.99 GHz (21) and 1520 MHz (8)
At 195 BCLK, you can get to 4.09 GHz (21) and 1560 MHz (8)
At 200 BCLK, you can get to 4.00 GHz (20) and 1600 MHz (8)

 

[strategoslc]

Huh.. well i did do it manually. i'm new. Would the multiplier be the problem? I have it set to x23 (i think).. Would the memory also be the reason for the high temps?

 

[wolfram23]

Did you stress test, and did you try to get the voltages as low as possible? Those temps are definitely too high.

Also "16:9 and 2ms respons" are meaningless. Resolution, like 1920x1080 or 1600x1050 or whatever it may be is what will matter.

RAM speed isn't going to have a huge impact on performance. Just try to get it as close to 1400, 1600, or 1800 as possible and adjust the timings accordingly. If you have, say, 1600 CL8 1.65V RAM, set that voltage then at 1400 you could do CL7 and 1800 CL9.