memory limiting my overclockability...

[finbarqs]

I've tried so many combo's and it just seems that this setup wont do it. When I had the G.Skill (4x1GB) PC6400 (800MHz) it overclocked just fine.

I have an EVGA 680i-A1 motherboard, and with the G.Skill, I was able to set my FSB @ 1450 (367MHz) so run @3.26GHz. @ Auto Voltage for everything.

On the memory side, I was able to go down to 3,3,3,9 @ 1T linked/synced also @ Auto Voltage for memory.

I did 4 Primes on the CPU, and 1 prime on the memory, and lasted over 15 hours without a hitch.

Now I've upgraded to the Mushkin redline memory sticks and I can't even match the settings! Granted that the redlines are 1000MHz, they seem to be more restrictive than the G.Skill memory. I can't do the same 725MHz linked and synced @ 3,3,3,9 @ 1T. Hell I can't even do 5,5,5,15 @1T!!!!

I guess I'm asking, what's the End all Be all overclocking king for memory as far as 2x2GB kits go?

I want to do my 3,3,3,9 @ 1T clock again, and I want to hit beyond 3.3GHz from my q6600. Btw, my system is water cooled, my temps (in this summer time) are 48,44,42,43C @3.26GHz. @1.375V

I got the Mushkin Redline memory off of a recommendation on this board, but I guess that isn't the best still...

 

[finbarqs]

anybody has any experience? Does anybody know anything? or any articles I should read?

 

[Gillbot]

I find it hard to believe your ram is limiting your overclock. You need to verify your ram settings and the cpu/ram fsb ratio. Review the overclocking guide and see if you can pinpoint the problem.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: finbarqs
I've tried so many combo's and it just seems that this setup wont do it. When I had the G.Skill (4x1GB) PC6400 (800MHz) it overclocked just fine.

I have an EVGA 680i-A1 motherboard, and with the G.Skill, I was able to set my FSB @ 1450 (367MHz) so run @3.26GHz. @ Auto Voltage for everything.

On the memory side, I was able to go down to 3,3,3,9 @ 1T linked/synced also @ Auto Voltage for memory.

I did 4 Primes on the CPU, and 1 prime on the memory, and lasted over 15 hours without a hitch.

Now I've upgraded to the Mushkin redline memory sticks and I can't even match the settings! Granted that the redlines are 1000MHz, they seem to be more restrictive than the G.Skill memory. I can't do the same 725MHz linked and synced @ 3,3,3,9 @ 1T. Hell I can't even do 5,5,5,15 @1T!!!!

I guess I'm asking, what's the End all Be all overclocking king for memory as far as 2x2GB kits go?

I want to do my 3,3,3,9 @ 1T clock again, and I want to hit beyond 3.3GHz from my q6600. Btw, my system is water cooled, my temps (in this summer time) are 48,44,42,43C @3.26GHz. @1.375V

I got the Mushkin Redline memory off of a recommendation on this board, but I guess that isn't the best still...

You can't assume 2 GB DIMMs will clock as well or allow for as tight timings as 1 GB, as that's pretty much never the case.
This is even more of a pronounced different on the nForce chipsets, which is the worst out there for 2 GB DIMMs.

1T is never guaranteed.
1T with 4 DIMMs is even less likely, so it's impressive you managed that with your previous RAM in the first place.
I'd expect that not to work with 4x2 GB without some ridiculously good luck, sorry.

I don't know what ICs your last RAM had, though i'd bet on Micron D9GMH, based on your results.

The Mushkin (& basically every other 2x2 GB kit out there other than Crucial) uses Powerchips ICs, which are not strong at CAS 3...really not at all.
CAS 4 isn't that great with them either; DDR2-800 to DDR2-900 is usually the range you can run CAS 4.
CAS 5 is where Powerchips does well; you'll get DDR2-1000 to 1150 ish, though with 8 GB, all these results are likely to be a bit lower than with 4 GB, as 4x2 GB DIMMs is a hell of a lot harder to reach great speeds/timings with.

If you could actually run 1:1 synced 1T, then that would indeed be the fastest configuration for your setup.

But since that's not gonna happen, you should be trying for fastest speed, not 1:1.
The only time 1:1 is faster is synced 1T on your chipset; in every other Intel situation, bandwidth > timings, which is why most people who want absolute max performance go for 2:3, 4:5, 5:6, or in short, attempt for the highest possible RAM speed (@ CAS 5 usually).

Now for more specific advice, post on the Mushkin forums here: http://forums.mushkin.com/phpb...e63a9264096967dc93fd59
Post all your specs, & Greg will suggest some appropriate timings/settings/voltages for your desired overclock, etc.

 

[finbarqs]

maybe it's my mobo? I can't even do 3.26 anymore with it crashing after 24 hours. Memory timings are: 6-6-6-15 2T. Auto Voltage for the CPU Vcore.

So I decided to leave it at factory 2.4GHz, until I receive better mem or mobo or CPU... though I doubt it's the CPU.

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: finbarqs
maybe it's my mobo? I can't even do 3.26 anymore with it crashing after 24 hours. Memory timings are: 6-6-6-15 2T. Auto Voltage for the CPU Vcore.

So I decided to leave it at factory 2.4GHz, until I receive better mem or mobo or CPU... though I doubt it's the CPU.

680i is probably the worst MOBO to attempt to O/C a quad.. the power conditioning on the CPU is very sadly lacking, and you have one of the most problematic Model/Rev. that there is...

 

[finbarqs]

yeah i'm on my 3rd or 4th board. All the others died. I guess I should jump to the 780i FTW (for the solid caps) or anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[n7]

I don't recommend nForce chipsets.

P45/X48 chipsets, sure.

 

[finbarqs]

P45 has support for DDR-2? What's the best P45 chipset I can get? (one with Solid Caps... I guess this is important for reliability)