memory overclocking question

[Avalon]

I've got 2x512mb of geil golden dragon pc3200 running in dual channel on my epox 8rda3i...I'd like to overclock them and see how high of a 1:1 ratio I can pull with my mobile 2600+. The modules are rated up to 2.95v, and my motherboard's highest setting is 2.9v. I'm currently running at default vdimm voltage. I was just wondering...although within rated specs, will running my memory at 2.9v significantly reduce their life expectancy?
I don't want to do it if it will kill them significantly faster...I'd like to have them at least a year.
Also, if you're not familiar with golden dragon...they use some odd wafer level chip scaling memory packaging (or something)...ie, the chips are slapped right onto the pcb and are supposed to run very cool (which they currently seem to do)
Thoughts anyone?

 

[Echo3]

I use OCZ EL PC3200 mem-sticks and I wouldn't press them to far - 2.7-2.8v is as far as you should go - and over clocking memory may not necessarily yield the dividends you are expecting - why chance it, for yeilds that you are only going see with regards to bench-marking - and none visibally with regards to gaming or application execution???

I guess the theory behind overclocking memory is that if you are going to lower the latencies - CAS settings you might want to raise the threshold voltages - coupled with allowing you to increase FSB - but honestly that really only does little for any nocticable system performace - Honestly, the cas settings you are at now seem fine by me... I run my memory comfortably at 2-6-2-2 with my voltages at 2.6 and it works great - my system is an abit IT7-MAX2 .v2 mobo and a P4 - 2.4 @ 3.0ghz - However, if it were only ran at 2.5 -7 -3-3, I wouldn't sweat it either!!! Honest

Remember when FSB settings can run synchrnously with memory that's the real gain - CPU Power User magazine did an excellent review of memories and opened up with an excellent arguement for the importance of FSB and memory running synchronously with each other - the exerpt taken below so form some other article but conveys my point.....

www.hexus.net/content/reviews/review.php?dXJsX3Jldmlld19JRD00NDYmdXJsX2hpc3Rvcnk9LTI=

" The core architecture of the Athlon XP processor dictates that it works best when run with memory running synchronously to the CPU's FSB. It's double-pumped FSB tallies perfectly with DDR running at the same speed. So, PC3200 memory would allow you to run your processor, once unlocked, up to 200MHz with varying timings. Running memory at speeds greatly in excess of the system's FSB would prove to be a largely futile exercise."

I know I might have dampened you zeal for OCing your memory - but honestly it's not worth it...

Dan

 

[myocardia]

Avalon, why are you running your XP-M 2600 so slow? All you have to do to make it run faster is raise the multiplier. Of course, if you are doing something like DC (distributed computing) with that computer, then you would see a performance gain from a higher fsb, but you wouldn't see anything noticeable at all in gaming and the like.

 

[Avalon]

Ahh, I'm running the CPU slow because I had to transfer my components into my old case...which at the moment has no fans, and is steel constructed. I don't plan on overclocking any farther at the moment, because temps are a problem even right now. I'm waiting for my new case to be returned. It was having problems. Once I get everything back though, I wanted to see how high a FSB I could pull off doing 1:1 with my processor. I probably won't run it that high, but I'm just curious.