OC'ing and 4x2GB sticks of RAM

[soccerballtux]

Seeing some sick deals for RAM. I could get four more gigabytes of RAM for $20 after rebate.
However, would this affect my overclock? What about having 4 sticks makes OC'ing more difficult? Is it the CPU that has trouble, or the chipset?

In the future I may get a Q6600 or Q9550 if that makes a difference.

 

[cmdrdredd]

The chipset (memory controller) has a harder time with keeping all 4 slots fed with proper voltage. It fluctuates and may cause instability. Timings may need to be loosened as well. I remember a couple years ago people used voltage regulators in their memory slots that basically locked the voltage to a particular setting. Problem was, this limited your available slots.

 

[soccerballtux]

I see. Since the Core2 Architecture isn't very latency dependent, I've been running 5-5-5-15. Would I need to loosen this if I were running at DDR2-800? Or I could just change the divider ratio right?

 

[JustStarting]

you should be able to run 5-5-5-15 @ DDR800.

I have 2 x 2gb of DDR800 running @ 4-4-4-12 @ 2.0v. I'm running the G.Skill PI Blacks. Nice memory for $49 shipped. The PI's are rated 4-4-4-12 @ 1.8- 1.9v. They are running in my rig at DDR844 at those timings coupled with a E8500.

Depends on how much you plan to squeeze the voltage and the timings of the memory you purchase, but these PI's would suit you well.

 

[n7]

It's not a big problem on a good board.

But good boards are few & far between...

Not so sure you'll have a party on yours, but it should be fine as long as you don't care about OCing the RAM heavily.

 

[soccerballtux]

I see....thanks for the input. Would I need to [push my ram]? I see on your Q9550 you're at 2-930.
Would my board have problems with using a divider to stay at or below 800? The IP35's (non -V) are pretty good, but I've read about some people with certain boards having divider issues...something like using a divider puts extra stress on the ICH. Not sure if my board would have problems. I'll go google some.

 

[n7]

IP35s aren't really good IMO actually...

They have massive uncorrectable vdroop with quads, as well as no way to manually adjust tRD.

They are by no means bad, but i've not seen anything great from them with quads, especially if you need a higher FSB.
8 GB will only make that more of challenge.

Not saying to go out & buy a new board, as for average OCing as long as you keep things 1:1, you'd likely be fine.

But it's not really a strong board...more like a good cheap board for duals, but weaker with quads, nevermind 8 GB.

I run DDR2-930 1:1 as the next ratio (5:6 on 333 strap) is too high for my RAM to pull off.

1:1 is the worst ratio you can run on a P5Q series board, but i don't really have a choice.