OC priority: the FSB or the Multiplier???

[Justus]

Choices, choices.

Just got a Barton 2500+ for my EPox 8RDA+ Nforce2 MB (ver. a2). Running 1GB of Micron PC2700 DDR.

I bumped the 11x multiplier up to 12.5 and my Thermaltake 9 barely noticed. Fan at 3000 rpm, idle temps at about 45C.

From what I've read, it sounds like I should want to keep the memory in sync the cpu, which means I should keep both at 166 FSB. (no, I don't want to buy PC3200 memory). No limit on the multiplier in my bios.

Is there any reason why I should not be happy just bumping up the multiplier and let the FSB stay at default??

 

[RefriedBeaner]

You could do that, but I guarantee you that you'd notice a performance boost if you raised the front side bus. Invest in some good PC3200 (or higher). I recommend Corsair XMS. It's working pretty well on my 8RDA+.

BTW, you might want to up the RPM on that cpu fan or get a new one if that's the max.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

higher fsb will make the entire system faster
right now ur ram may be at 166mhz, but cpu being at 133, it cant utilize thebandwidth
even if ur ram is at 133mhz, then its not performing at spec

bump the mult down to 11 again and up the fsb to 166
higher fsb > higher mult

 

[BG4533]

The Barton should have a default FSB of 166. There should be no reason to run at a 133FSB. I dont think anyone wants to get in the sync argument again, but if your RAM cant handle it and you wont purchase new it is possible and likely you will get better performance by running the FSB higher than the memory. FSB is better than multiplier.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

whoops my bad
i neglected to read 2500+ lol


anyways, micron usually is decent at overclocking so you can give it a whirl
once you are done that, you should just up the mult i guess

but just remeber what i said as the more fsb>more mult still applies

 

[JBT]

if u are OCing anyways just see how fast your FSB will go with ur PC2700. I have some PC2100 from crucail running at 333 speeds with 2.5, 2, 2, 5. I don't see why Micron mem wouldn't go atleast to say 180 or so.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

i have 256mb of micron pc2700 that will go up to 190fsb no problem

 

[JBT]

yeah thats what I thought, micron makes good mem I just said 180 to be on the safe side hehe.