OCing Memory

The most important parts of a memory module are the CHIPS and the latency timings ( CL3, CL2.5, CL2 etc)

The latency refers to the number of clock cycles before the memory is accessed. So fewer clock cycles gives better performing memory. CL0 would be great, but no such thing in real life.

You would think CL2 is better than CL3. Not always true. Though lower latency modules offer better performance, there is a tradeoff and that is that CL2 is less stable that CL3 in general.

If you force the memory to go to a latency that is too low, YOU WILL cause hard drive corruption or your system will just crash and need to be reset.

Popular performance chips
Samsung chips with part number ending in -TCCD (DDR-500 specification)

Windbond chips ending in BH-5. even CH-5

other chips that are suitable for some overclocking
Samsung chips ending in -TCCC (not as good as TCCD)
Micron chips ending in -5A, -4 or -33 (-33 better)
Infineon chips ending in -5 (not great overclockers)

In rare cases UTT chips are good, but this genre of chips has the best and worst potential of any chip.

Many retail companies will hide the chips with heat spreaders. Sometimes you can find manuals or find out from other people which ones have good potential.

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"Memory with lifetime warranty? So, whose lifetime is that?"
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<font color=red>AIM BrentUnitedMem

The chips have part numbers on them. And sometimes logos.

If the module is covered by a heat-spreader, you'll have to either take it off (void the warranty most likely) or look on the web for more info about the module.

You can also check out: <A HREF="http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/AMD/memory/91" target="_new">LIST OF CHIPS</A>

<font color=green>*****
"Memory with lifetime warranty? So, whose lifetime is that?"
<A HREF="http://www.brentcrowley.com/" target="_new">homepage</A>
<font color=red>AIM BrentUnitedMem