On A64 3200s. Why lower the Multiplier when OCing?

[BoomAM]

Hi.
This might be considered a daft question, but i cannot see the point in lowering the multiplyer of a A64 3200, then OCing the FSB. Why?
Whats wrong with just going for the FSB from the off?

 

[tapir]

FSB overclocking is just fine, but a higher FSB means higher memory bandwidth, so overclockers who have multiplier-adjustable chips go for the highest FSB possible, then drop the multiplier to reflect the maximum clock speed of the CPU.

For example, say my A64 2ghz has a default FSB 800, multiplier 2.5
I find that I can overclock the chip to 2.4GHz.
Rather than running 800 with a multiplier of 3, I raise the FSB to 1200MHz, then drop the multiplier to 2.
If I didn't drop the multiplier, I wouldn't be able to have such a high FSB. see?

 

[Lonyo]

As said, higher FSB means more memory bandwidth, so you get extra memory bandwidth and the same increase in clockspeed. It's a win-win situation.

 

[BoomAM]

No offence.
But you guys are justing explaining the benefits of FSB OCing, and not the purpose of dropping the multiplier.
Either that, or i dont understand what you mean.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: BoomAM
No offence.
But you guys are justing explaining the benefits of FSB OCing, and not the purpose of dropping the multiplier.
Either that, or i dont understand what you mean.

it's all about the bandwidth. more bandwidth the better.


hrm .. it's alot harder for me to explain. lets use a real world example

1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 16 cups -- each quantity represents a multiplier but all are equal because how much each container holds.
(1 x 16 = 4x4 = 8x2 = 16x1) multiplier x bandwidth

if you wanted to fill 10 gallons of fluid (DATA) you would want the BIGGEST BANDWIDTH available because it would be fastest

if all represent the same overall load of fluid, it would take longer to fill 10 gallons at 16 cups than if you had a 1 gallon tank.


or you can think of multipliers as cars carrying passengers.
have 16 cars carry 1 passenger each ...
or..
1 shuttle carrying 16 passengers

 

[BoomAM]

So in computer terms;
Less multipliers, at more mhz, is faster than more multipliers at less mhz?
Still seems a little odd to me.
What if the mobo cant do the higher fsb that a lower multiplier would need to get the same speed as just increasing the fsb?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: BoomAM
So in computer terms;
Less multipliers, at more mhz, is faster than more multipliers at less mhz?
Still seems a little odd to me.
What if the mobo cant do the higher fsb that a lower multiplier would need to get the same speed as just increasing the fsb?

yes, 200*11 and 220*10 both give you 2200 mhz but the 220*10 will be faster