Running at lower Latency=OCing?

[Nights_L]

Hey mate, out of curiousty, take my ram for example, it's rated to run at 2.5/3/3/6, if I make it run at 2/2/2/5, am I OCing my ram? or when we talk about OC, we mean "MHz" only? :redface:

 

[fishmahn]

In the spirit of the term (i.e., outside its technical definition), definitely yes.

Technically "OC" stands for "Overclocking" or running the component at a faster clock than its rating. So, technically in that narrow definition of OC, no.

However, extending the definition a fraction to include reducing latency, i.e. accesssing memory 1 or more ticks before its rated time (i.e., faster than the rated clocking), then yes. So there is an argument for technically it is "OC".

How's that for a non-answer?

Mike

PS: IMO... yes.

 

[Nights_L]

Just like I thought..that's the reason I leave my ram running at CL2.5 instead of CL2 even though it could run at CL2 without problems

Well..if the answer were "no", then I'll change CL to 2 instead of CL2.5..

 

[Cybercraig]

:lol: There is no way you are going to hurt your ram running at CAS2 instead of 2.5. The only way to hurt ram or shorten it's lifespan is to over-volt it!

Abit IS7 - 2.8C @ 3.4 - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!

 

[Nights_L]

Oh yeah? but that's not the case for cpu right?
oh well, if that's not the case..CL2 all the way after this post!

 

[Cybercraig]

CPU's are different. Raising their speed makes them hotter. Raising their speed sometimes entails increasing voltage along with buss speed. Take my Mushkin ram for example. If I raise the FSB I have to increase the CAS at some point. As I raise the FSB I put more stress on it, even though it is running at CAS 2.5. If I lower the FSB, I can run it at CAS 2 with lower voltages. It runs cooler at CAS 2 at PC3200 speeds than at CAS 2.5 at PC4000 speeds. So, if you can run CAS 2 without an increase in voltage or FSB, what's the problem?

Abit IS7 - 2.8C @ 3.4 - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!

 

[Nights_L]

Actually I think my RAM is already "overvolted", as it's rated to run at 2.5V, but on nForce2, the lowest i can run is 2.6V..

but blah ans superb! thx dude, now i feel more confident, and running CL2 currently :lol:

 

[fishmahn]

LOL, and I thought it was an esoteric discussion.

As far as causing extra stress and potentially reducing the lifespan of the component, I agree with the rest, it won't have any effect on lifespan. The only reason not to do that would be if the ram can't handle the faster timings, and you would find that out next time you booted up (or, more likely didn't boot up lol).

Mike.

PS: IMO, it's still "oc'ing" but it's a very safe oc.

 

[Nights_L]

Yeah I agree, my old Samsung won't do any faster timing than 2.5/3/3/6 in DDR333, even I bump up vdimm..
but my current crucial can do 2.5/2/2/5 without raising vdimm, but with 2.6V, it can do 2/2/2/5 fine.. thought the performance increased is really small..but it's still a + :lol:

 

[Nights_L]

PS: IMO, it's still "oc'ing" but it's a very safe oc.

hehe, I like it!

 

[Clob]

Cyber.

How much did you have to up the voltage on your cpu to get that speed? Also did you have to relax ram timings or did the 500mhz chips run fine stock?

"If youre paddling upstream in a canoe and a
wheel falls off, how many pancakes fit in a doghouse? None! Icecream doesn't have bones!!!"

 

[Cybercraig]

1.65v on CPU. 2.8v Vdimm is all IS7 does (highest setting). Timings had to go to 3,4,4,8.

Abit IS7 - 2.8C @ 3.5ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot