can i/should i overlock? - Page 5

redenvy · 08-05-2009, 08:16 AM

hmm interesting... my ram speed is going to be down from 912 to 760.. seems like a lot

redenvy · 08-06-2009, 07:53 AM

is there anyway i can check which gives better performance? 1:1 memory underclocked VS. 1:2 memory stock clock

**greenbrucelee** · 08-06-2009, 12:52 PM

that seems like alot, have you ran memtest86? if you have and gone through a few passes then your safe. When you raise the FSB your memory frequency will go down or up depending on your settings.

Your motherboard manual should say what the lowest frequency ram your motherboard can handle, I would never go below or underclock it as this as it makes the system unstable.

redenvy · 08-06-2009, 05:26 PM

well when i have it set to 1:1 it lowers my memory speed from the default speed, but as i raise the FSB the memory speed goes up, however i cant seem to get a stable clock above 3.4ghz so im stuck with underclocked memory?

HD_Monkey · 08-06-2009, 06:27 PM

redenvy, If you are impressed by a number on a screen then set the ratio to something different. You can then overclock your ram to as high as it will go.
Result: your ram will be running at a faster clock speed than fsb and will wait for instructions from the cpu. Net gain zilch, other than being able to brag about overclocked memory.

Underclocking ram will not cause system instability, the system if anything would be more stable.

Run some bench tests. Futuremark makes some good BT tools that will give you an idea of your system's capabilities. Try it with different ratio settings and see what you get.
A 1:1 ratio is commonly considered the best way to go. Try it with different ratios and bench test.

The whole point of oc'ing is to obtain results. Usually better performance with games, video tools. A high clock number for ram does not necessarily translate to better performance in actual use.

redenvy · 08-06-2009, 08:51 PM

okay sounds great I was just confused about what i was actually doing.. im not doing this to show off to anyone lol.. just doing it for fun and trying to get some performance boost

but it seems im at my end for whatever reason. I'd say i had a successful first try at this and i will definitely do it again with my future rigs. Thanks for all your help guys

Final results:
CPU
Core Speed 3419.5 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 9.0 x 379.9 MHz
Rated Bus speed 1519.8 MHz
Stock frequency 3000 MHz
Voltage: 1.36

RAM
Memory Size 4096 MBytes
Memory Frequency 379.9 MHz (1:1)
CAS# Latency (tCL) 4.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRCD) 4 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 4 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 12 clocks
Voltage: 1.9

Last questions.... I'm going to be getting windows 7 64bit and i have vista 32. I will be doubling my ram to 8 gigs. Will going from 32bit to 64bit affect anything? Will adding more ram affect anything?

HD_Monkey · 08-06-2009, 09:41 PM

If you are going to fill all ram slots then you will likely have to increase ram voltage to compensate. You may have to start over with your overclock as well. Nothing you will run will require 8 gigs, but that is your decision. You may want to save your money.

I am all for the 64bit os and WIN7 looks to be everything vista wasn't. Good luck!

redenvy · 08-06-2009, 10:45 PM

aw well thats fine now i will have something to do in october! :) will be back if i have any problems. thanks again :)

08-05-2009, 08:16 AM	#81 (permalink)
redenvy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 58 OS: W7 64bit My System	Re: can i/should i overlock? hmm interesting... my ram speed is going to be down from 912 to 760.. seems like a lot

08-06-2009, 07:53 AM	#82 (permalink)
redenvy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 58 OS: W7 64bit My System	Re: can i/should i overlock? is there anyway i can check which gives better performance? 1:1 memory underclocked VS. 1:2 memory stock clock

08-06-2009, 12:52 PM	#83 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,863 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: can i/should i overlock? that seems like alot, have you ran memtest86? if you have and gone through a few passes then your safe. When you raise the FSB your memory frequency will go down or up depending on your settings. Your motherboard manual should say what the lowest frequency ram your motherboard can handle, I would never go below or underclock it as this as it makes the system unstable. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

08-06-2009, 05:26 PM	#84 (permalink)
redenvy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 58 OS: W7 64bit My System	Re: can i/should i overlock? well when i have it set to 1:1 it lowers my memory speed from the default speed, but as i raise the FSB the memory speed goes up, however i cant seem to get a stable clock above 3.4ghz so im stuck with underclocked memory?

08-06-2009, 06:27 PM	#85 (permalink)
HD_Monkey Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 367 OS: XP x64 SP2 My System	Re: can i/should i overlock? redenvy, If you are impressed by a number on a screen then set the ratio to something different. You can then overclock your ram to as high as it will go. Result: your ram will be running at a faster clock speed than fsb and will wait for instructions from the cpu. Net gain zilch, other than being able to brag about overclocked memory. Underclocking ram will not cause system instability, the system if anything would be more stable. Run some bench tests. Futuremark makes some good BT tools that will give you an idea of your system's capabilities. Try it with different ratio settings and see what you get. A 1:1 ratio is commonly considered the best way to go. Try it with different ratios and bench test. The whole point of oc'ing is to obtain results. Usually better performance with games, video tools. A high clock number for ram does not necessarily translate to better performance in actual use. __________________

08-06-2009, 08:51 PM	#86 (permalink)
redenvy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 58 OS: W7 64bit My System	Re: can i/should i overlock? okay sounds great I was just confused about what i was actually doing.. im not doing this to show off to anyone lol.. just doing it for fun and trying to get some performance boost but it seems im at my end for whatever reason. I'd say i had a successful first try at this and i will definitely do it again with my future rigs. Thanks for all your help guys Final results: CPU Core Speed 3419.5 MHz Multiplier x Bus speed 9.0 x 379.9 MHz Rated Bus speed 1519.8 MHz Stock frequency 3000 MHz Voltage: 1.36 RAM Memory Size 4096 MBytes Memory Frequency 379.9 MHz (1:1) CAS# Latency (tCL) 4.0 clocks RAS# to CAS# (tRCD) 4 clocks RAS# Precharge (tRP) 4 clocks Cycle Time (tRAS) 12 clocks Voltage: 1.9 Last questions.... I'm going to be getting windows 7 64bit and i have vista 32. I will be doubling my ram to 8 gigs. Will going from 32bit to 64bit affect anything? Will adding more ram affect anything?

08-06-2009, 09:41 PM	#87 (permalink)
HD_Monkey Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 367 OS: XP x64 SP2 My System	Re: can i/should i overlock? If you are going to fill all ram slots then you will likely have to increase ram voltage to compensate. You may have to start over with your overclock as well. Nothing you will run will require 8 gigs, but that is your decision. You may want to save your money. I am all for the 64bit os and WIN7 looks to be everything vista wasn't. Good luck! __________________

08-06-2009, 10:45 PM	#88 (permalink)
redenvy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 58 OS: W7 64bit My System	Re: can i/should i overlock? aw well thats fine now i will have something to do in october! :) will be back if i have any problems. thanks again :)