2.4B & PC2700 or 2.7B & PC2400?

[Trey22]

2.4B
MSI 6580 (845G Max)
1 GB PC2700 (Patriot or Viking, definitely generic, but spd settings are 2.5-3-3-6).
128MB 9800 Pro
80GB 8MB WD HD

My quesiton is: Does a higher clock speed w/ lower mem speed settings win over a lower clock speed w/ higher mem speed settings?

My memory options in BIOS are Auto, 200, 266 and 333. I've left it at auto, and when I OC to 2.7, PC Wizard 2004 says the ram is running at PC2400 speeds. OC'd to 2.7 I can't run the 333 setting, even at very loose timings, it won't boot (have to clear CMOS).

I almost bit on a new A64 rig, but wanted to wait until the 939 platform came out OR should I just build a new rig right now with a OC'd 2500+, new mobo and RAM?

Btw, my system is mainly used for gaming (BF1942 & Vietnam). Temps are iffy, PC is in a not very well ventilated room, so at idle case/mobo are at 32, CPU varies from 36-42, under load I've passed 60C (according to MBM 5). I bought a new HSF, using AC thermal paste, lapped both the cpu and HSF... still not cool enough. Case hase 2 intake 2 outtake fans, so I know the airflow is good.

I digress, and thanks in advance for any insight/help.

 

[canadianpsycho]

With single channel P4 setups, you'll want more memory bandwidth... Although losing 300 MHz could be huge. Since you're gaming I'd just benchmark it (timedemos, 3dmark, etc.), take what's faster (and stable) and wait for a 939... A lot of changes are on the horizon this year, I was tempted to move to A64 myslef but going to hold out a bit.

60C isn't great... But it isn't horrible.. Are you sure your board reads temps correctly? I'm not familiar with MSI boards personally.

 

[Trey22]

Pretty sure my temps are being reported correctly since the BIOS, MBM5 and PC Wizards 2004 all show about the same temps.

Tried running some benchies, 3dmark and sandra kept crashing.

So, until then, does anyone have a formula or know which setup is better? 2.4 & PC2700 or 2.7 & PC2400?

Meanwhile, think I'll run memtest or something, see why benchies crash but not a 4 hour session of BF.

Thanks.

 

[myocardia]

Buy yourself a power supply that can handle an overclocked P4; one with at least 30amps on the 12v rail, and you won't crash and burn anymore.