Abit IP35-E with DDR2 1066? Basic OC question.

[Dunadan]

I'm putting together a new rig and have already purchased about 3/4 of my components, including 4 GB (4 x 1GB) of Corsair DDR2 Dominator 1066 memory. The last 3 things I have to get are MOBO, Video Card, and CPU.

I know I'm going to go with an Intel 8400, and some form of Nvidia 8800GT. Now I just need to pick a good MOBO.

I don't plan to run RAID, won't do SLI, don't need Firewire, nor do I really need more than 4 SATA ports, but I do want to overclock my 8400 to either 3.6 GHz or 4.0 Ghz.

I understand the relationship between the clock multiplier, CPU FSB, and memory multiplier. Using a clock multiplier or 9, a memory multiplier of 2X, and CPU FSB of 400/445 I should be able to OC the CPU to 3.6GHz/4.0 Ghz (with some additional cooling on the high end). This would have my memory running at 800 Mhz or 890 Mhz.

What I don't understand is how/if a MOBO that says it only supports DDR2 800, can be pushed past this to 890 Mhz.

Is that just considered a RAM overclock, or will it just not work?

Will I run into any problems if I do this with my RAM being too fast?

Can anyone help me understand this better?

I'd love to be able to pick up this MOBO for $89 at Newegg, but if it's going to limit me in any way, don't mind spending a bit more to make sure things work well.

Thanks for the help!

 

[n7]

"Support" of RAM means it can run that RAM speed at default speeds.

So you could run your E8400 @ its default 3 GHz with RAM @ DDR2-800 (instead of say only DDR2-667).

That in no way means you cannot overclock your E8400 to 4 GHz, or are prevented from getting that RAM to DDR2-1100 speeds

You understand things fine...in this case, don't worry about what the motherboard "supports", as only those running stock would care about those things.

 

[Dunadan]

Thanks for the quick reply n7. Sounds like this MOBO could work for me.

In general are overclock limitations when it comes to MOBOs with respect to the MOBO's FSB/voltage?

One other question -

Does anyone know if the IP3-E will run 4 sticks of 1GB ram? I was also looking at the ASUS P5KE (on the high end) and had read it has trouble with having all 4 DIMM slots filled.

Thanks again!

 

[Mayor McCheese]

I just bought that mobo for 60$ because of a 30$ mail-in rebate. It just ended 2 days ago, but often times the rebate will appear again pretty quickly; if you aren't in a rush you could wait some to see if will come up again. (bought it at newegg)

I found this thread particularly helpful
http://forums.anandtech.com/me..._key=y&keyword1=ip35-e

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: Dunadan

Does anyone know if the IP3-E will run 4 sticks of 1GB ram?

yes, it can.
2x 2Gb is usually a better configuration for mobos than 4x1Gb though.

 

[Dunadan]

Thanks all.

I just placed my order with Newegg, and also decided to send back a kit of DDR2 2x1GB memory. From what I've read, combining 2 different kits (especially when versions are different) is just asking for trouble.

Now I just need to pick out what version 8800 vid card I want, and wait for Newegg to get Intel 8400s back in stock.