E8400 + Abit IP35-Pro + G.Skill PC-8000 2x2GB

[Robster]

The idea is to get 2x2gb (or 4x1gb) DDR2-6400, run them at 400(x9)=3600ghz.

Since this is my first time actually doing "serious" overclocking (lol don't laugh at me), just thought I'd seek for some advice before that.

I've considered the G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB)

Any other suggestions? Or perhaps cheaper, I'll be glad to read them.

(And by the way, I'm not ordering from newegg, since i live in Europe. Just the product suggestions will do).

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

I'd consider getting DDR2-1000 RAM instead of DDR2-800 if you want to OC the e8400. You probably will be able to get close to 4GHz with it, which means that your FSB speed will be more like 420-440Mhz, which would be OC'ing your DDR2-800 RAM. (DDR2-800 = 400FSB, DDR2-1000 = 500FSB)

OF course, if you are satisfied with 400x9 for an OC, then get the DDR2-800 running at 5-5-5 and 1.8V. The 4-4-4 DDR2-800 just costs more, and doesn't really help noticeably, and you have to run your RAM at a higher voltage, producing more heat. Also, lots of that speed RAM will OC a bit, but it's not guaranteed to do so.

GSkill, OCZ, Mushkin, Corsair, Geil are good companies, I'd just get whichever brand has the best price at the time. Probably all the 5-5-5 DDR2-800 RAM by all these companies all use the same RAM chips anyway.

 

[Denithor]

Eh....pick up decent quality DDR2-800 and it will typically scale well beyond FSB400 (with loose timings and slightly bumped voltage perhaps). Just be sure to get 2x2GB not 4x1GB.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Just for reference, but I have a cheaper set of GSkill 2x1GB DDR-800 with an IP-35E/E8400 combo, and I have no issues running it at 9x434 (the RAM runs at DDR2-870).

 

[Robster]

Originally posted by: GarfieldtheCat
I'd consider getting DDR2-1000 RAM instead of DDR2-800 if you want to OC the e8400. You probably will be able to get close to 4GHz with it, which means that your FSB speed will be more like 420-440Mhz, which would be OC'ing your DDR2-800 RAM. (DDR2-800 = 400FSB, DDR2-1000 = 500FSB)

As I wrote in my topic @ the motherboard section, the store I'm buying the RAMs from, they sell the G.Skill 2x2gb 800mhz for the same price as the G.Skill 2x2gb 1000mhz. And I was wondering the compatibility with the IP35-Pro Mobo since they don't mention supporting of PC-8000 1000mhz RAMs?

But anyhow, if it does work, what would be the ideal FSB multiplier with the 1000mhz RAMs. I would of course prefer to run in synchronous mode, 1:1. 9x500 would be a little to daring for me
You mentioned around 420-440. Let's say 9x430=3870mhz (since I'm a little "new" to overclocking, that would still be in 1:1 mode right?).

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Robster
As I wrote in my topic @ the motherboard section, the store I'm buying the RAMs from, they sell the G.Skill 2x2gb 800mhz for the same price as the G.Skill 2x2gb 1000mhz. And I was wondering the compatibility with the IP35-Pro Mobo since they don't mention supporting of PC-8000 1000mhz RAMs?

You'll want to read this thread. Well, actually your questions are answered in the first 5 or 6 posts.

But anyhow, if it does work, what would be the ideal FSB multiplier with the 1000mhz RAMs. I would of course prefer to run in synchronous mode, 1:1. 9x500 would be a little to daring for me
You mentioned around 420-440. Let's say 9x430=3870mhz (since I'm a little "new" to overclocking, that would still be in 1:1 mode right?).

1:1 @ slightly tighter timings nearly always beats a RAM multiplier, with looser timings.<<-- That's somewhat dependent on the software being used, though.

 

[Robster]

1:1 @ slightly tighter timings nearly always beats a RAM multiplier, with looser timings.<<-- That's somewhat dependent on the software being used, though.

You mean that I would have to tighten or loosen the timings of the RAM? (got a bit confused )

BTW, thanks for the link. Huge help!

 

[crimson117]

I easily OC'd my E8400 on my Abit IP35-E to 9x400 (3.6ghz) using Crucial Ballistix 4x1gb. I haven't tried any higher than that because I haven't experienced any slowness in anything I do day-to-day.

I would recommend getting 2x2gb, though, to allow you to easily go to 4x2gb one day should you so choose.


EDIT: And btw, a 3.6ghz OC is SOOO easy to do with an Abit IP35 - you literally just set the FSB to 400, reboot, and let it run Stress Test Prime 2004 overnight or while you're at work/school. Nothing tricky, and usually no voltage increase is required to hit 3.6.

 

[Robster]

Thanks for the tip crimson117. Though i already knew that with 6400-RAMs it's really easy going 1:1.

But I will be getting 1000mhz G.Skill RAMs, since they cost as much as the 800mhz version.

But as soon as I get my rig, I just don't know where to start overclocking. I know i wont try 1:1 9x500=4500mhz.

I hope someone can guide/help me cause what I don't understand is about the relationship with the RAM and the CPU. Like 2:3, 4:5 or whatever, just makes me confused :S Exactly what RAM speeds/FSB can i go with etc. And hopefully no one replies with "then don't OC if you don't know what you are doing". I really wanna learn it, so I gotta start somewhere right..? And hopefully you guys can help me with that...

Just wanna get my rig fixed up with a small descent overclock. CPU speed around 3,9ghz tops. (Don't know either how easy the E8400 clocks, but anyway...) I will be glad even with a smaller overclock.

 

[deepinya]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2057083&enterthread=y

 

[Robster]

Originally posted by: deepinya
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2057083&enterthread=y

I've gone through it at least 3-4 times... Just the memory speed (and fsb multiplier) that I'm not sure of...? :S

Basically what I mean is that, is the RAMs mhz what the FSB multiplier will be set at, or is it more freely to choose...

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Originally posted by: Robster

Originally posted by: deepinya
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2057083&enterthread=y

I've gone through it at least 3-4 times... Just the memory speed (and fsb multiplier) that I'm not sure of...? :S

Basically what I mean is that, is the RAMs mhz what the FSB multiplier will be set at, or is it more freely to choose...

Your CPU multiplier is fixed and cannot be raised (it can be lowered, but unless you are trying to artificially run your RAM really fast, don't bother).

The (CPU multiplier) times (FSB speed) = CPU speed

ex: Q6600 has 9X, 266FSB -> 9x266=2.4GHz
e8400 has 9X, 333FSB -> 9x333 = 3.0GHz


Because of the way DDR2 RAM works (double the actual MHz):

(FSB speed) times 2 = RAM speed

400FSB x 2 = DDR2-800
500FSB x 2 = DDR2-1000

RAM "dividers", like 3:2, 5:4, etc.... just run the RAM at a faster speed then the FSB.

For 1:1, 400FSB -> 400 times 2 = DDR2-800
But with 3:2 -> 400 times 2 times (3/2) = DDR2-1200
5:4 -> 400 times 2 times (5/4) = DDR2-1000

If you CPU is limited to say 400FSB, then the dividers let you run your RAM faster then what a 1:1 setting would allow. But in the real world, running RAM hgiher then 1:1 (to gain higher memory bandwidth) doesn't really gain you mush in performance (~1-3%).

Plus higher speed RAM usually needs a higher voltage, and thus runs hotter and may be more prone to fail. Higher speed RAM also can put more stress on the northbridge, and make it harder to OC higher.

 

[bfdd]

I have this memory now after 2 of my 1gb Ballistics died, it's quite nice very sturdy it's taking everything I throw at it, back at stock now because I'm testing CPU stability.

 

[Robster]

Originally posted by: GarfieldtheCat

Originally posted by: Robster

Originally posted by: deepinya
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2057083&enterthread=y

I've gone through it at least 3-4 times... Just the memory speed (and fsb multiplier) that I'm not sure of...? :S

Basically what I mean is that, is the RAMs mhz what the FSB multiplier will be set at, or is it more freely to choose...

Your CPU multiplier is fixed and cannot be raised (it can be lowered, but unless you are trying to artificially run your RAM really fast, don't bother).

The (CPU multiplier) times (FSB speed) = CPU speed

ex: Q6600 has 9X, 266FSB -> 9x266=2.4GHz
e8400 has 9X, 333FSB -> 9x333 = 3.0GHz


Because of the way DDR2 RAM works (double the actual MHz):

(FSB speed) times 2 = RAM speed

400FSB x 2 = DDR2-800
500FSB x 2 = DDR2-1000

RAM "dividers", like 3:2, 5:4, etc.... just run the RAM at a faster speed then the FSB.

For 1:1, 400FSB -> 400 times 2 = DDR2-800
But with 3:2 -> 400 times 2 times (3/2) = DDR2-1200
5:4 -> 400 times 2 times (5/4) = DDR2-1000

If you CPU is limited to say 400FSB, then the dividers let you run your RAM faster then what a 1:1 setting would allow. But in the real world, running RAM hgiher then 1:1 (to gain higher memory bandwidth) doesn't really gain you mush in performance (~1-3%).

Plus higher speed RAM usually needs a higher voltage, and thus runs hotter and may be more prone to fail. Higher speed RAM also can put more stress on the northbridge, and make it harder to OC higher.

Thanks... (again) Garfield. Much help!