A-Data Vitesta Gaming edition

[Dorkenstein]

I had a decent OC on my system, based on an E8400 that was running at 3.6 ghz. My memory was running at 801mhz but if I left firefox running too long the toolbar buttons would turn black. I think I have narrowed it down to a software problem, but on the other hand, is my ram too cheap to OC? It's DDR2-800 cas 4 and only cost about 70 dollars. Thanks for any upgrade ideas.

 

[Gillbot]

In the many times i've seen failed OC's, alot of the time it end up being ram that isn't up to the task. I'm not familiar with that particular set of memory but unless you got a good set to compare with, it is really anyone's guess as to what is holding you back.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Guess I need a recommendation for a good set then. 4 gb of DDR2 is what I need, if anyone can link some good oc ram. Thanks.

 

[DSF]

I would be very surprised if your DDR2-800 starting causing problems at DDR2-801. Does upping the RAM voltage fix the problem? What about loosening the timings to 5-5-5-15? Does the memory pass Memtest?

Until you have an answer for all of those questions, I wouldn't buy new RAM.

 

[taltamir]

memtest.org
Takes the guesswork out of ram. If it passes SEVERAL whole tests in a row, then it is stable.
And the problem is elsewhere. (although OCing the ram and the CPU can cause the northbridge to overheat... so it might be because of the ram oc but not be detected there)...

The thing is, ram makers REALLY dropped the ball with DDR2... DDR2-800 are all DDR2-667 modules gaurenteed to OC to 800mhz if you UP THE VOLTAGE! They will only RARELY work at the default voltage of 1.8 volts.
Check up your specific module for the voltage it needs (typically 2v, but I have seen anywhere from 1.8 to 2.4).

Higher end DDR2 modules came with pre loosened timings for that, so you buy a 4-4-4-15 DDR2-800 module @ 2.0 volts, and it will default to 5-5-5-18 @ 1.8v volts and be stable, setting it correctly is good for extra performance, but not required for stability.

DDR2-1000 / 1066 are actual DDR2-800 modules that are gaurenteed to OC to 1000 and 1066 speeds with over volting. again same principles apply.

So the 1mhz OC is insiginificant, it just might be that it would have been unstable at 800 as well since you did not set the voltage to what they wanted you to.

The situation is so bad that gigabyte has set the minimum DDR2 voltage on their boards at 1.9 volts (instead of the 1.8v of the standard) so that those modules will at least boot up and you could manually set them.