About to overclock Conroe E6400 with Asus P5B Delux - Understanding FSB DRAM Ratio settings

[UKHicks]

Hi Guys,

First of all i'm new to this forum and just wanted to say hello!

Secondly, I just built two brand new machines for me and the wifey, exact same spec as in my Sig. I have not started to overclock them yet, as I have a couple of questions before I begin:

1. Is it better to run a lower FSB like 350 with a higher FSBRAM ratio of say 3:1 or 2:1. Or is it better to go to a 1:1 with the higher FSB like 415 or more?

2. I downloaded the basic version of 3DMark 2006 and with the standard benchmark (I did not make any changes) i scored 3000 points. From what I understand this is rather low for my setup. Anyone have any Suggestions?

Its definetly exciting to be back to the good old days on Intel overclocking again!

Thanks for any help!

 

[n7]

For 3DMark06, or any graphics benchmark for that matter, set your video card's AA & AF settings to application preference.

Also, for OCing, you will likely find it easier to leave RAM 1:1 with FSB until you have determined your CPU's max.
Then you can fiddle with RAM ratios after that...

 

[UKHicks]

ok so as I understand it the regular FSB on Core 2 Duo's is 266x4 (1066). My ram as standard is DDR 800 running at a 1:3 ratio 266x3 (800). So if I run the FSB at 440 (the best i have managed so far, then the best ratio for my ram is 1:2 (it has managed to overclock that far).

Somehow I am not understanding something, why when I clock it up that far it shows the memory as no longer being PC6400 even though its running at more than DDR 800. It shows PC4200 or PC5300 depending on the FSB I set.

 

[n7]

Yes, FSB is 266 quad pumped.
But your RAM doesn't run @ 800 MHz, not really anyway.

All DDR (& DDR2) runs at double data rate (DDR), meaning the RAM is actually running @ 400 MHz in your case.

DDR2-800 is actually 400
DDR2-667 = 333
DDR2-533 = 266
And so on.

With your RAM rated @ 400, if you are running @ 8x440 (what i gathered from your post), then i'd suggest running the RAM @ 1:1 or what might be called 533 in the bios.
I forget exactly how Asus words it.

 

[UKHicks]

Thanks for the information! One last question. If i check task manager I only see one CPU. Is that correct?