Need help with cpu & memory settings

[bigboxes]

I am in the process of upgrading my beloved pc. I will be replacing the mb, cpu, ram, psu, and hsf. I am planning on staying with AMD, but I would value all opinions regardless of whether one has an AMD/Intel chip. I am leaning toward a KT333 mb, the XP2200+ cpu, and XMS(2700 or 3000) ram from Corsair.

I am curious about what is the optimal settings for the cpu and for the ram. I have never o/c my pc, but if I did, is there a limit (if you have stability) as to how high you should have your settings? I thought that the cpu fsb would be the limiting factor in bandwidth transfer, but I see many claims on AT about memory settings that are much higher than the cpu's fsb. Does this help with performance? Also, I have seen that there are settings in the bios for ratios between the FSB: AGP: PCI. What is the optimal for these and what will happen is you set this incorrectly? And lastly, is there any software that will help in deciding the optimal settings?

~box

 

[bigboxes]

I also would like a recommendation on a motherboard. Thanks.

 

[cmdrdredd]

the XP CPU is locked so the multiplyer will not change. You can increase the FSb speed and that will yield higher CPu speed too. Each component is different and there is no "safe" overclock for you. Your mileage will vary from others. I'd start at around 138Mhz for the FSb and work your way up from there.

I'd go in 2Mhz Increments and play some games and do some burn in tests for 24hours to insure 100% stability of your system. then if you're confident go another 2Mhz and see what you get. Do that until it crashes/freezes and has trouble in games. Then you can drop back to a setting you know is 100% stable

I'd suggest an Abit or Epox Mobo for overclocking. Again your mileage may vary. the KT333 chipset is popular now, but I've heard that the Nforce 2 will have dual channel DDR and be available soon as well as the KT400 DDR chipset that supports 400Mhz DDR memory at stock settings.

 

[CrazySaint]

First off, the Corsair XMS PC2700 or PC3000 is way overkill for a 2200+. You won't be able to overclock it, and it won't be able to take advantage of the high speed RAM unless you unlock the chip, decrease the multiplier, then crank up the FSB. If you wanna take advantage of that RAM (and save about a $150) buy an XP 1600+ from newegg, which should OC to around 1.8GHz (XP 2200+) without much of a voltage increase and will have the added advantage of a very high FSB (171) which will make it even faster than a retail XP 2200+. As for the motherboard, I would recommend the Gigabyte 7VRXP REV 2.0 (make sure its REV 2.0) or the Asus A7V333. As for settings, set the RAM at 2-2-2-6T which that RAM should be able to handle. As for ratios, that only really applies to Intel systems. The KT333 chipset allows for a 4:5 mem ratio at the standard 133FSB, but that really doesn't help much.

 

[bigboxes]

CrazySaint, what you're saying is that this ram is made for overclocking and if you are unable to o/c the cpu (as you are saying that 2200+ is not a good o/c), then this quality ram is going to waste. So, to take advantage of the ram, one needs a cpu capable of a good o/c.

When you set your memory speed does it need to be the same as the cpu fsb? I checked out a few motherboards (KT333) and saw three ratio settings for the FSB: AGP: PCI. This was for an socket A mb. So is your recommendation to leave these ratios at default no matter what settings you use for the fsb and ram?

Just trying to learn. I need an edumacation!

 

[Dulanic]

You dont really need to unlock a 1600+ I threw my 1600+ set the FSB to 175, set the Vcore to 1.9 and am cruising along at 1850ish Mhz... and id deff go 2700... youll easily get the 1600+ to 166 (1750Mhz if your board does 166.66 or 1743 if it just does 166) if you get the one from newegg and have a decent cooler. Id go with the Epox 8K3A or the Asus board... asus is just alot more expensive. I know the 8K3A has a 1/5th divider so at 166 FSB (DDR 333, PC2700) youll be running your PCI/AGP bus at its normal spec.. 33/66

Id honestly save the $150 and go with a 1600+... itll run at 2100-2200+ speeds for $66 and newegg has free shiping! Most 2200+s arent even hitting 1.9Ghz from what I hear (I may be wrong??) yet most 1600+s are hitting 1.75-1.85Ghz

 

[cmdrdredd]

XMS2700/3200 is NOT A WASTE at all. See even if you don't unlock your multiplyer on your CPU and just increase the FSb you're still overclocking your CPU/Mobo/Memory. yes the memory runs right at the FSB speed, but a bit different for different boards. P4 boards have different ratios but Athlon boards are stuck. The KT333 is Iat 4:5 ratio I believe so 133Mhz FSB = 333Mhz Memory and when you up the FSb the memory holds the same ratio.

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
XMS2700/3200 is NOT A WASTE at all. See even if you don't unlock your multiplyer on your CPU and just increase the FSb you're still overclocking your CPU/Mobo/Memory. yes the memory runs right at the FSB speed, but a bit different for different boards. P4 boards have different ratios but Athlon boards are stuck. The KT333 is Iat 4:5 ratio I believe so 133Mhz FSB = 333Mhz Memory and when you up the FSb the memory holds the same ratio.

I agree that if he gets a 1600+ and OCs it, then he will be putting that RAM to good use, but if he gets the XP 2200+ it will probably be almost impossible to overclock (past 60-100MHz, anyway) so he won't be able to take advantage of the RAM, especially if he gets the 3200. As for the 4:5 ratio on the KT333, the performance gain will be very minimal (maybe 2-3%) because the the CPU can't use any bandwidth beyond the DDR FSB. Personally, I would either get the PC3200 or PC3000 (since its stock at CAS2, although the PC3200 will very likely be able to do CAS2 at PC3000, as well) and an XP 1600+ and OC it. You will also need a good HS/F, like the Thermalright AX-7 and a 80mm fan (for that kind of OC, I would either get a moderate performance/noise fan or an adjustable fan and only run it as fast as necessary). You will also need decent case cooling (I'm thinking two front ~30CFM intake fans and one or two rear ~30CFM exhaust fans, though you could possible get away with quieter Panaflo L1As for the case fans).

 

[bigboxes]

Some of this is starting to seep in!

I was looking at the Abit KX7 333R mb, although I am not set in stone (that is why I asked for mb recommendations). This mb had three ratio settings of 3: 2: 1 , 4: 2: 1 , and 5: 2: 1 . This is starting to make sense. The PCI's bus settings are at 33mhz, the AGP at 66, and the final number is dependent on your fsb. This keeps everything in whack so that there are no problems with the performance of your video card and other expansion cards.

I also now understand that the cpu and ram fsb is dependent on each other. If you do not have good ram, your cpu will not o/c.

I have installed a Antec TruePower 430W psu this week. I have a Cooler Master aluminum case w/ 4 80mm fans; 2 intake (pulling in air over my hard drives) and 2 exhaust (1 rear & 1 top). I ran a trial by connecting 3 of the 4 case fans to the variable speed control of the psu. My temps jumped from 46/51 to 51/55. Still within acceptable range, but a little hot for me (I reconnected the case fans back to normal). I have also purchased a Thermaltake Volcano 7+ hsf. It has a variable fan switch, copper hs, and claims 49cfm at high speed (6000rpm w/70mm fan). I am planning to buy the memory this next week and then the mb & cpu the next. Any suggestions as to my plans would be much appreciated.

 

[bigboxes]

Is the hsf adequate for this type of o/c? Thanx again!

Just a little bump some 10 hours later!

 

[CrazySaint]

That HSF should be fine. Also, you might try a few more test on a 3 fan config. Try disconnecting then reconnecting each fan one at a time and record your temps for each 3 fan config. You might find that one of the configs is pretty close to the 4 fan config (I'm guessing it will be with the top fan disconnected, though I could be wrong).