Memory slightly underclocked still worth it?

zen555 · 11-07-09, 12:45 PM

Hi All,

New to the forums and overclocking.

I have an E8400 with an abit ip35xe and wanted to get some extra performance out of it.

I increased the FSB from 340 to 370 and I had to increase the core voltage from 1.225 to 1.255 to get it to run stably. I also had to change my memory to a 1:1 ratio.

My question is this... After the overclock my ram now reads at 760ish mhz (ddr2 800) It was previously slightly over 800. My cpu has gone from 3060 mhz to 3330.

Is this drop in memory worth the increase to my cpu? Or should I leave it how it was previously. Thanks!

ratbuddy · 11-07-09, 01:00 PM

Hey there,

I say just shoot for 400x9, then your memory will be back at rated speeds

Shouldn't take much voltage and I've never heard of an E8400 that couldn't do 3.6 in its sleep.

redduc900 · 11-07-09, 01:23 PM

For only a 330MHz overclock (3.0GHz to 3.3GHz), there's no need to increase the Vcore past the default VID. And w/ the DRAM at a 1:1 ratio w/ the FSB, the effective DRAM frequency is 740MHz. If you don't plan on increasing the clock speed, then tighten the timings from the default SPD of for example 5-5-5-15 to 5-5-5-12, 5-5-4-12, 5-4-4-12 (w/ possibly tighter sub-timings). Like ratbuddy suggested, bump the clock to at least 3.6GHz (400MHz x 9) for an effective 800MHz DRAM frequency. Even at 3.6GHz, you shouldn't need to increase the Vcore past the default VID (a slight increase may be necessary w/ a C0, but definitely not w/ an E0.)

zen555 · 11-07-09, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbuddy

Hey there,

I say just shoot for 400x9, then your memory will be back at rated speeds

Shouldn't take much voltage and I've never heard of an E8400 that couldn't do 3.6 in its sleep.

Thanks for the update... I'll give it a try.. I think being my first time oc'ing I was paranoid and going in baby steps ;p should I have to raise my cpu voltage much more than the 1.225 I have it at now? Or is it simply trial and error?

zen555 · 11-07-09, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redduc900

For only a 330MHz overclock (3.0GHz to 3.3GHz), there's no need to increase the Vcore past the default VID. And w/ the DRAM at a 1:1 ratio w/ the FSB, the effective DRAM frequency is 740MHz. If you don't plan on increasing the clock speed, then tighten the timings from the default SPD of for example 5-5-5-15 to 5-5-5-12, 5-5-4-12, 5-4-4-12 (w/ possibly tighter sub-timings). Like ratbuddy suggested, bump the clock to at least 3.6GHz (400MHz x 9) for an effective 800MHz DRAM frequency. Even at 3.6GHz, you shouldn't need to increase the Vcore past the default VID (a slight increase may be necessary w/ a C0, but definitely not w/ an E0.)

Odd.. I had read that and if I try to oc without increasing the vcore after about 10 minutes I get a beep and the system locks up... it does it all the way to 1.224... once I hit 1.225 3 steps up from default It doesn't lock any more... any ideas?

redduc900 · 11-07-09, 01:41 PM

Post the VID of your chip using Real Temp--> "Settings" page--> Max core VID, the stepping of your chip (found in the 'Revision' field of CPU-Z--> CPU tab), a direct link to your RAM (showing default SPD timings and DRAM voltage), and fill out this BIOS template for the IP35 Pro w/ all of your current settings...

Code:

CPU OPERATING SPEED................ - USER DEFINE
EXTERNAL CLOCK..................... -     MHz 
MULTIPLIER FACTOR.................. - x 8 
# ESTIMATED NEW CPU CLOCK.......... -     MHz 
DRAM SPEED (CPU:DRAM) 1:1.20....... - DDR2- 
PCI EXPRESS CLOCK.................. - 100MHz 
 
VOLTAGE CONTROL:
 
CPU CORE VOLTAGE................... - V 
DDR2 VOLTAGE....................... - V 
CPU VTT 1.2V VOLTAGE............... - V 
MCH 1.25V VOLTAGE.................. - V 
ICH 1.05V VOLTAGE.................. - V 
ICHIO 1.5V VOLTAGE................. - V 
DDR2 REFERENCE VOLTAGE............. - % 
CPU GTLREF 0+2..................... - %
CPU GTLREF 1+4..................... - %
 
ADVANCED CHIPSET FEATURES:
 
DRAM TIMING SELECTABLE............. - MANUAL 
CAS LATENCY TIME (TCL)............. - 
RAS# TO CAS# DELAY (TRCD).......... -  
RAS# PRECHARGE (TRP)............... -  
PRECHARGE DELAY (TRAS)............. -  
REFRESH CYCLE TIME (TRFC).......... -  
WRITE RECOVERY TIME (TWR).......... -  
WRITE TO READ DELAY (TWTR)......... - 
ACT TO ACT TIME (TRRD)............. -  
READ TO PRECHARGE (TRTP)........... -  
COMMAND RATE....................... - 2T 
PEG FORCE X1....................... - DISABLED 
INIT DISPLAY FIRST................. - PCIEX 
 
ADVANCED BIOS FEATURES / CPU FEATURES:
 
THERMAL CONTROL.................... - DISABLED 
LIMIT CPUID MAXVAL................. - DISABLED 
C1E FUNCTION....................... - DISABLED 
EXECUTE DISABLE BIT................ - ENABLED 
VIRTUALISATION TECHNOLOGY.......... - ENABLED 
EIST FUNCTION...................... - DISABLED

zen555 · 11-07-09, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redduc900

Post the VID of your chip using Real Temp--> "Settings" page--> Max core VID, the stepping of your chip (found in the 'Revision' field of CPU-Z--> CPU tab), a direct link to your RAM (showing default SPD timings and DRAM voltage), and fill out this BIOS template for the IP35 Pro w/ all of your current settings...

Sure here goes thanks in advance. This is what its at currently after my minor OC last night -------------

Mx core VID = Max = 1.2250
Stepping = C0
Dram = 1.8V 400mhz = 6 6 6 18

Code:

CPU OPERATING SPEED................ - USER DEFINE
EXTERNAL CLOCK..................... - 370    MHz 
MULTIPLIER FACTOR.................. - x 9 
# ESTIMATED NEW CPU CLOCK.......... -3330     MHz 
DRAM SPEED (CPU:DRAM) 1:1.20....... - DDR2- 1:1 
PCI EXPRESS CLOCK.................. - 100MHz 
 
VOLTAGE CONTROL:
 
CPU CORE VOLTAGE................... 1.255- V 
DDR2 VOLTAGE....................... -1.850 V 
CPU VTT 1.2V VOLTAGE............... - 1.10 V 
MCH 1.25V VOLTAGE.................. -1.25 V 
ICH 1.05V VOLTAGE.................. - 1.05 V 
ICHIO 1.5V VOLTAGE................. -1.50 V 
DDR2 REFERENCE VOLTAGE............. -0 % 
CPU GTLREF 0+2..................... -67 %
CPU GTLREF 1+4..................... -67 %
 
ADVANCED CHIPSET FEATURES:
 
DRAM TIMING SELECTABLE............. - Auto 
CAS LATENCY TIME (TCL)............. - 
RAS# TO CAS# DELAY (TRCD).......... -  
RAS# PRECHARGE (TRP)............... -  
PRECHARGE DELAY (TRAS)............. -  
REFRESH CYCLE TIME (TRFC).......... -  
WRITE RECOVERY TIME (TWR).......... -  
WRITE TO READ DELAY (TWTR)......... - 
ACT TO ACT TIME (TRRD)............. -  
READ TO PRECHARGE (TRTP)........... -  
COMMAND RATE....................... - 2T 
PEG FORCE X1....................... - DISABLED 
INIT DISPLAY FIRST................. - PCIEX 
 
ADVANCED BIOS FEATURES / CPU FEATURES:
 
THERMAL CONTROL.................... - DISABLED 
LIMIT CPUID MAXVAL................. - DISABLED 
C1E FUNCTION....................... - DISABLED 
EXECUTE DISABLE BIT................ - ENABLED 
VIRTUALISATION TECHNOLOGY.......... - ENABLED 
EIST FUNCTION...................... - DISABLED

ratbuddy · 11-07-09, 05:05 PM

Whoa. What memory is it? Model number please?

zen555 · 11-07-09, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbuddy

Whoa. What memory is it? Model number please?

Well im looking in cpu z says ddr2 800 kingston pc6400

6 6 18

Is there a more accurate way to tell other than checking physically? I take it from your reaction its ****ty :P

ratbuddy · 11-07-09, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen555

Well im looking in cpu z says ddr2 800 kingston pc6400

6 6 18

Is there a more accurate way to tell other than checking physically? I take it from your reaction its ****ty :P

6-6-6-18 is just pretty high for DDR2. I'm asking because I'd like to look it up and see the rated specs. Did you manually set the timings? Do you have the invoice sitting around in your email somewhere or the packaging you can look at? Other than that, yeah, just look at the sticks and post any model numbers listed.

zen555 · 11-07-09, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbuddy

6-6-6-18 is just pretty high for DDR2. I'm asking because I'd like to look it up and see the rated specs. Did you manually set the timings? Do you have the invoice sitting around in your email somewhere or the packaging you can look at? Other than that, yeah, just look at the sticks and post any model numbers listed.

Ah... I was able to look it up through mwave where i ordered.. I got the e8400 when it first launched and it looks like I slacked and got ****ty valu ram. I just installed win 7 ult so I was planning on grabbing another 2 gigs... guess i'll just order 6 gigs of something decent when I end up buying. I've been messing around while checking this forum... i have it up to 386 fsb. I had to knock the vcore up another notch to get it stable... so that is at 1.265 from the 1.225 base now. Is that getting too high where i'm going to degrade the chip or am I still safe still running 55C at load so the heat isn't an issue. Thanks for all the time btw

KINGSTON KVR800D2N6/2G ValueRAM 2GB 2048MB 240-pin pc2-6400 DDR2 800mhz DIMM desktop memory module

# Clock Cycle Time (tCK) CL=6: 2.5ns (min.) / 8ns (max.)
# Row Cycle Time (tRC): 60ns (min.)
# Refresh to Active/Refresh Command Time (tRFC): 127.5ns
# Row Active Time (tRAS): 45ns (min.) / 70,000ns (max.)
# Single Power Supply of: +1.8V (+/- .1V)
# Power: 2.016 W (operating)
# UL Rating: 94 V - 0

Theocnoob · 11-07-09, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen555

Ah... I was able to look it up through mwave where i ordered.. I got the e8400 when it first launched and it looks like I slacked and got ****ty valu ram. I just installed win 7 ult so I was planning on grabbing another 2 gigs... guess i'll just order 6 gigs of something decent when I end up buying. I've been messing around while checking this forum... i have it up to 386 fsb. I had to knock the vcore up another notch to get it stable... so that is at 1.265 from the 1.225 base now. Is that getting too high where i'm going to degrade the chip or am I still safe still running 55C at load so the heat isn't an issue. Thanks for all the time btw

KINGSTON KVR800D2N6/2G ValueRAM 2GB 2048MB 240-pin pc2-6400 DDR2 800mhz DIMM desktop memory module

# Clock Cycle Time (tCK) CL=6: 2.5ns (min.) / 8ns (max.)
# Row Cycle Time (tRC): 60ns (min.)
# Refresh to Active/Refresh Command Time (tRFC): 127.5ns
# Row Active Time (tRAS): 45ns (min.) / 70,000ns (max.)
# Single Power Supply of: +1.8V (+/- .1V)
# Power: 2.016 W (operating)
# UL Rating: 94 V - 0

Wow it really is 6CAS. That's high as heck

for DDR2

Now- how did you plan on getting 6GB into four slots? You'd need 2x1 and 2x2 and you never do that. 2,4 or 8.

I'd definitely get a whole new set 2x2GB of better RAM

Maybe some low latency stuff like 4/4/4/12/1066
or 1200 even. What chipset is your motherboard? GA33? Is that a P35?
Not familar.. Hence google... brb... Ok back

Looks like no. It only supports 1066 natively. You can overclock it mind you- but I only saw 1 phase for the RAM... I did look at a low res picture though.
Looks like the socket is 6 phase.. just if you were curious.

Perhaps

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231194

RollingThunder · 11-07-09, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen555

Ah... I was able to look it up through mwave where i ordered.. I got the e8400 when it first launched and it looks like I slacked and got ****ty valu ram. I just installed win 7 ult so I was planning on grabbing another 2 gigs... guess i'll just order 6 gigs of something decent when I end up buying. I've been messing around while checking this forum... i have it up to 386 fsb. I had to knock the vcore up another notch to get it stable... so that is at 1.265 from the 1.225 base now. Is that getting too high where i'm going to degrade the chip or am I still safe still running 55C at load so the heat isn't an issue. Thanks for all the time btw

KINGSTON KVR800D2N6/2G ValueRAM 2GB 2048MB 240-pin pc2-6400 DDR2 800mhz DIMM desktop memory module

# Clock Cycle Time (tCK) CL=6: 2.5ns (min.) / 8ns (max.)
# Row Cycle Time (tRC): 60ns (min.)
# Refresh to Active/Refresh Command Time (tRFC): 127.5ns
# Row Active Time (tRAS): 45ns (min.) / 70,000ns (max.)
# Single Power Supply of: +1.8V (+/- .1V)
# Power: 2.016 W (operating)
# UL Rating: 94 V - 0

Zen,

55 C under a Prime95 or Orthos load is coasting along, it's good. Keep in mind that value RAMs are hard to predict what they will overclock but they should do at least the speed advertised. And using 4 sticks x 1 GB won't help your overclock. 2 x 2Gb is a much better idea as Theocnoob stated.

We have similar chips and I'm strictly at default lowest voltage on CPU vcore (1.168v under load) and default 2.0v RAMs.

zen555 · 11-07-09, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theocnoob

Wow it really is 6CAS. That's high as heck

for DDR2

Now- how did you plan on getting 6GB into four slots? You'd need 2x1 and 2x2 and you never do that. 2,4 or 8.

I'd definitely get a whole new set 2x2GB of better RAM

Maybe some low latency stuff like 4/4/4/12/1066
or 1200 even. What chipset is your motherboard?

# Intel® P35 Express / ICH9R Chipset

Glad I came to the forum didn't realize running 3x 2gig sticks was a no no? I assume it somehow affect performance? I currently have 2x 2gb sticks... was gonna just get another 2gb but it sounds like I should either go 2 sticks or 4 sticks.

RollingThunder · 11-07-09, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen555

# Intel® P35 Express / ICH9R Chipset

Glad I came to the forum didn't realize running 3x 2gig sticks was a no no? I assume it somehow affect performance? I currently have 2x 2gb sticks... was gonna just get another 2gb but it sounds like I should either go 2 sticks or 4 sticks.

2 x 2 GB is plenty. Go as you are and see what they will do but you'll soon restrict yourself with value RAMs.

zen555 · 11-07-09, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theocnoob

Wow it really is 6CAS. That's high as heck

for DDR2

Now- how did you plan on getting 6GB into four slots? You'd need 2x1 and 2x2 and you never do that. 2,4 or 8.

I'd definitely get a whole new set 2x2GB of better RAM

Maybe some low latency stuff like 4/4/4/12/1066
or 1200 even. What chipset is your motherboard? GA33? Is that a P35?
Not familar.. Hence google... brb... Ok back

Looks like no. It only supports 1066 natively. You can overclock it mind you- but I only saw 1 phase for the RAM... I did look at a low res picture though.
Looks like the socket is 6 phase.. just if you were curious.

Perhaps

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231194

Thanks for the tips... I read a tomshardware article showing quite a nice gaming improvement jumping from 3 to 6 gb or ram in a 64 bit environment which is why I wanted to buy new ram (probably the one you suggested) but was planning on getting three 2gb sticks? Just curious why you say you never do three sticks only 2 or 4

<--- noob

Theocnoob · 11-07-09, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen555

Thanks for the tips... I read a tomshardware article showing quite a nice gaming improvement jumping from 3 to 6 gb or ram in a 64 bit environment which is why I wanted to buy new ram (probably the one you suggested) but was planning on getting three 2gb sticks? Just curious why you say you never do three sticks only 2 or 4

<--- noob

You can't run dual channel on one stick though. It'd be single/dual which is bad.

RollingThunder · 11-07-09, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen555

Thanks for the tips... I read a tomshardware article showing quite a nice gaming improvement jumping from 3 to 6 gb or ram in a 64 bit environment which is why I wanted to buy new ram (probably the one you suggested) but was planning on getting three 2gb sticks? Just curious why you say you never do three sticks only 2 or 4

<--- noob

You need 2 or 4 slots filled for dual channel memory use. Two is better for overclocking.

Edit: Theocnoob beat me to it!

zen555 · 11-07-09, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

You need 2 or 4 slots filled for dual channel memory use. Two is better for overclocking.

Edit: Theocnoob beat me to it!

Thanks for all the help guys I'm staying put for now around 3.48ghz 1.275vcore under prime 95 i go to 63c max. This is a decent OC for me without having to replace the cpu cooler and i'll also address my ****ty memory.

One last question... When I get my new ram if i get ddr2 1060 can I move my ram stepping from 1:1 to 1: 1.20 Like it used to be... this should move the memory clock up from the 780mhz or so that it is at now but not crossing the 1060

RollingThunder · 11-07-09, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zen555

Thanks for all the help guys I'm staying put for now around 3.48ghz 1.275vcore under prime 95 i go to 63c max. This is a decent OC for me without having to replace the cpu cooler and i'll also address my ****ty memory.

One last question... When I get my new ram if i get ddr2 1060 can I move my ram stepping from 1:1 to 1: 1.20 Like it used to be... this should move the memory clock up from the 780mhz or so that it is at now but not crossing the 1060

zen,

With PC8500 (1066), you can do almost anything you want with it. I'm underclocked with mine on 5:6 dividers but with a 9X multiplier @ 400 MHz. There is no substitute for CPU speed. I could easily kick it up with better cooling.

deadlysyn · 11-08-09, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

zen,

With PC8500 (1066), you can do almost anything you want with it. I'm underclocked with mine on 5:6 dividers but with a 9X multiplier @ 400 MHz. There is no substitute for CPU speed. I could easily kick it up with better cooling.

QFT! I have a pair of Corsair Dominator 2x2 PC8500 5-5-5-15 running at 2.00D on my Gigabyte board. With my CPU running at 400x8, this gets me an effective memory speed of 800, with stock timings and 2.1v, they couldn't be happier. I have just been too busy to try to tighten up the timings, but I might be able to hit 4-4-4-12 with them. One of these days I need to check CPUz to see what their rated timings at the speed they are at should be.

11-07-09, 12:45 PM	#1
zen555 New Member Join Date: Nov 2009	Memory slightly underclocked still worth it? Hi All, New to the forums and overclocking. I have an E8400 with an abit ip35xe and wanted to get some extra performance out of it. I increased the FSB from 340 to 370 and I had to increase the core voltage from 1.225 to 1.255 to get it to run stably. I also had to change my memory to a 1:1 ratio. My question is this... After the overclock my ram now reads at 760ish mhz (ddr2 800) It was previously slightly over 800. My cpu has gone from 3060 mhz to 3330. Is this drop in memory worth the increase to my cpu? Or should I leave it how it was previously. Thanks!

11-07-09, 01:00 PM	#2
ratbuddy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hartford, CT	Hey there, I say just shoot for 400x9, then your memory will be back at rated speeds Shouldn't take much voltage and I've never heard of an E8400 that couldn't do 3.6 in its sleep. __________________ Main - E8600 @ 400x10 1.12v - Ultima-90 - GA-G33M-DS2R - ZM-NBF47 - 2x2GB Team Xtreme Dark 1:1 4-4-4-12 2.0v - EVGA GTX 280 - Silverstone TJ08 - Corsair TX750W ----- HTPC - X2 5050e stock - ASRock A790GMH/128M 790GX - 2x2GB G.Skill 4-4-4-12 - OCZ Core v2 30GB - WD Green 1TB - Silverstone LC10B-E - Corsair CX400W - 60 watt idle/72 Bluray load Auzentech X-Raider with OPA627AU opamps Nothing inflamatory in my sig!!!

11-07-09, 01:23 PM	#3
redduc900 Senior SETI Team Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rosetta@Home, and WCG in Portland	For only a 330MHz overclock (3.0GHz to 3.3GHz), there's no need to increase the Vcore past the default VID. And w/ the DRAM at a 1:1 ratio w/ the FSB, the effective DRAM frequency is 740MHz. If you don't plan on increasing the clock speed, then tighten the timings from the default SPD of for example 5-5-5-15 to 5-5-5-12, 5-5-4-12, 5-4-4-12 (w/ possibly tighter sub-timings). Like ratbuddy suggested, bump the clock to at least 3.6GHz (400MHz x 9) for an effective 800MHz DRAM frequency. Even at 3.6GHz, you shouldn't need to increase the Vcore past the default VID (a slight increase may be necessary w/ a C0, but definitely not w/ an E0.) __________________ DFI LP UT P35-T2R (0919 BIOS) Intel C2D E8500 C0 (Q813A) ~ 4.20GHz (467MHzx9.0) @ 1.47v OCZ 2x2GB FlexII PC2-9200 ~ 1120MHz (5-5-5-15) @ 2.1v Western Digital 2x74GB Raptors ~ RAID 0 + RAID 1 Hitachi 2x80GB 8MB 7K250 Deskstars ~ Storage eVGA 8800GTS 640MB A2~ 594/1404/2052 Creative SB X-Fi XG Fatal1ty Pro Tt / Channel Well TP 850W MS Windows 7 Pro x64 Join the OCF Rosetta@Home Team!!!

11-07-09, 05:05 PM	#8
ratbuddy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hartford, CT	Whoa. What memory is it? Model number please? __________________ Main - E8600 @ 400x10 1.12v - Ultima-90 - GA-G33M-DS2R - ZM-NBF47 - 2x2GB Team Xtreme Dark 1:1 4-4-4-12 2.0v - EVGA GTX 280 - Silverstone TJ08 - Corsair TX750W ----- HTPC - X2 5050e stock - ASRock A790GMH/128M 790GX - 2x2GB G.Skill 4-4-4-12 - OCZ Core v2 30GB - WD Green 1TB - Silverstone LC10B-E - Corsair CX400W - 60 watt idle/72 Bluray load Auzentech X-Raider with OPA627AU opamps Nothing inflamatory in my sig!!!