OC Q6600 with DDR2 667 RAM?

[mjavid]

Hi,
I curently have Kingston Value RAM DDR2 667 1 GB x 2. Timing 5-5-5-15, 2T. I have ordered an IP 35 Pro mobo to use with my Q6600 G0.

My aim is to OC to 3 GHz.

Will I manage with my current memory or should I get faster RAM?

Thanks,

MJ

 

[MetaDFF]

If you are just planning to overclock to 3.0 GHz your current RAM should be sufficient. You might have trouble if you try any higher BUS speeds as you will be running your ram out of spec.

Running the Q6600 at 3.0 GHz means the DDR2 667 RAM will be running in 1:1 ratio which is the best situation.

The Q6600 has a x9 multiplier on the 266 MHz BUS (requiring DDR2 533) giving it a default clock speed of 2.4 GHz.

When you overclock you will leave the multiplier at x9 and change your bus speed to 333 MHz (requiring DDR2 667) giving 3.0 GHz.

 

[gOJDO]

You can OC-it over 3GHz, between 3.2GHz and 3.6GHz depending of the CPU. In order to have your PC stable, perhaps you'll have to increase the RAM voltage a little (0.1v I think would be enough).

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: mjavid
I curently have Kingston Value RAM DDR2 667 1 GB x 2. Timing 5-5-5-15, 2T. I have ordered an IP 35 Pro mobo to use with my Q6600 G0.

Do some searching to find out if people have run into conflicts between the Kingston VR and the specific model P35 MB you've got ordered.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: mjavid
Hi,
I curently have Kingston Value RAM DDR2 667 1 GB x 2. Timing 5-5-5-15, 2T. I have ordered an IP 35 Pro mobo to use with my Q6600 G0.

My aim is to OC to 3 GHz.

Will I manage with my current memory or should I get faster RAM?

Thanks,

MJ

Kingston "N5" DDR2 667 ValueRAM can easily hit 400MHz with 2.0V/4-4-4-12-2T. Non-N5 modules do not overclock well (up to about 350MHz). RAM will boot with IP35 Pro.

 

[mjavid]

Thank you for the clear explanation!

 

[mjavid]

Kingston "N5" DDR2 667 ValueRAM can easily hit 400MHz with 2.0V/4-4-4-12-2T. Non-N5 modules do not overclock well (up to about 350MHz). RAM will boot with IP35 Pro.[/quote]

My two modules are both 'N5' however I have a suspicion that one may be non-genuine based on the labelling and package insert being 'different'. Both are labelled 'Assembled in Taiwan'. There is a slight difference in tRC, one module being 12, 16 and 20 at 200, 266 and 333 MHz (the one I think is non-genuine), the other being 11, 15 and 18 (the one I think is genuine)

Do you think this makes any difference?

Thanks,

MJ

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Do you see the hollographic Kingston logo? It could be different ICs. Country of origin can be Taiwan, China, or USA. Kingston has an exceptional RMA department. Call them if you have any issue with the memory. N5s should come in a black plastic box with clear top cover.

You can load each stick and run Memtest86 test #5 for 50 loops to check RAM. I have some N5 DDR2 800 modules. Slowest stick is good up to 480MHz @ 2.1V/4-4-4-12-2T.

Since your goal is 3.0GHz, you can dial-in 2.0Vdimm and 4-4-4-12-2T timing with 1:1 memory divider. RAM should be stable up to 3.5GHz core speed.