Athlon XP FSB/Memory speed question

[Rogue 2]

My Barton XP 2500+ is running at stock speeds (now), 333 FSB. Should I run my PC3200 RAM at 333 or 400 MHz? I've heard that supposedly the AXP's like to run 1:1 with the memory, and I can get faster timings (CL2 instead of CL2.5) when I run at 333 on my RAM. But common sense tells me that hey, 400 MHz is faster than 333, so run it faster. I have GEIL Value Ram 2x512MB PC3200 with the blue decoration (er, heat spreader)...

Thoughts, comments? Thanks...

 

[Spike]

Definitly sync them. I have both my Barton machines at 1:1 and that is where they like to be, running ram at a different speed causes massive performance loss, at least on my machines. Keep it at 333, do not go higher unless you up the FSB for both CPU and ram. Speaking of that if you have a Barton XP 2500+ all you really need to do is increase you FSB to 400 and you will have a Barton 3200+ without breaking a sweat. I am doing that with both my machines and have no issues, they hardly even increased in heat. If you case has any decent ventilation and a halfway decent cpu cooler then totally do it for a faster cpu.

Let me know if you have any more questions about it.

-spike

 

[MercenaryForHire]

As Spike mentioned, try to overclock the 2500+ to 3200+ by going to 400FSB. Might need to give it another couple tenths of a volt on the VCore, but that's definitely your best choice if you can make it. Otherwise, stick to 333FSB and tighten the timings as you're doing now.

Cheers,

- M4H

 

[Rogue 2]

That's very interesting - I had no idea! And all this time I'd been running at 400 MHz... looks like I'll keep it at 333 and tighten the RAM...

I tried to OC to 3200+ but it wasn't real stable - Prime95 would crash almost immediately, even with bumping up voltage up from 1.65 to 1.75. I have a Silent Boost cooler so temps weren't a problem, maybe the chip doesn't like it? Or should I bump the voltage higher? I don't want to burn up the chip though...