How Big of a Role Does RAM Play in Overclocking?!!

[italyrs]

I currently have 2 512 chips of RAM running in dual channels. One is a 512MB Kingston HyperX PC2700 and the other is a 512MB Kingston PC2100. My max FSB is 215. I figured tha if I took the 2100 chip out, I may be able to reach a higher FSB, it didnt happen. The only thing that changed, was that my motherboard recognized my chip (after some timing changes) as being a 357Mhz Ram chip. So..... would getting 2 pc3200 Corsair or Kingston Hyper X chips really make that much of a difference performance wise?? Also, in some benchmark programs, it shows my ram as running at 2x333mhz when my motherboard is only showing it as 266mhz, max 296mhz. Is it possible to do that, maybe because of the dualchannel on the NF7 motherboard???

Comments and Questions more then welcome..... THANKS ALOT FELLAS!

NF7 rev 2.0
AMD XP2100+ (right now 200x11)2.2GHZ,1.85vcore
chipset temp=30degrees, CPU temp=42degrees idle
Coolmaster Aero7+ heatsink and fan
80GB 7200 RPM ata 133 Maxtor HD
120GB 7200RPM Western Digital HD
512MB Kingston HyperX PC2700
512MB Kingston PC2100
Nvidia Geforce4 TI4400 Graphics Card
SoundBlaster Audigy Gamer
Lite on DVD 16x48x
Lite on CDR 40x12x48x
Nikao Cooling Case
W/ 2 Vantec Stealth sf8025l fans

 

[SinfulWeeper]

I have $5 says the PC2700 is erroring out @ that speed. For sure the PC2100 is...
Download memtest86 just to be certain. If it is indeed running @ 215FSB w/o errors... You have some great cheap memory there

 

[leeperpsu]

this might sound dumb but how do you use memtest?

 

[stevejst]

this might sound dumb but how do you use memtest?

!
Meaning you have never run it! You will figure that out easily, just read the instructions. Also two things:
1. Memtest86 will quickly drop your operating bus because it will show errors much faster than your Windows or Sandra.
2. Memtest86 is not a clean bill of health, meaning that your ram might be able to pass it but is still unable to load large ram disk images, since Memtest tests only small portions of memory at the time.

Another thing, Memtest is a heck of a lot faster on Intel platforms than on AMD, so brace yourself for lengthy test.