Opty 170, Geil UltraX PC4400 & DFI LP SLI-D

[mfurse]

Hey,

I am looking for some advice. I have bought an Opteron 170 (stepping 0546XPMW) and am running it at 2.2Ghz, memory 1:1, tightish timings (2-3-2-7). However, I really want to push this baby to 2.6 (FX-60!). I have managed 2.6 using a divider, and no Vcore increase...so I know the processor will do it. But, the point in me buying UltraX PC4400 was to run the memory/fsb at 1:1...

Firstly, would 1:1 yield better performance? or would I be better running a divider and tighter timings? (memory will do 2-2-2-5 1t at 200Mhz) or would less wait states, more memory bandwidth...despite higher latancy be better (memory can do 2.5-4-4-7 @275, and 2.5-3-3-6 @250)

Secondly, what settings are best to set in the bios to achieve best performance and stability whilst at the magic 260Mhz 1:1. I am doing a lot of reading and wondered if anyone runs in the range 250-275 1:1 on their X2 or Opteron on a DFI Lanparty SLI-D and could share their bios settings with me (theres an awful lot under the DFI bios!).

Many Thanks,

Matt

 

[nealh]

is the chip stable at 2.6 on stock vcore?? if so you have one awesome chip there..did you run dual Prime95 to see if it is stable

if so you will probably be able to get 2.8 + out of the chip

ram is not very important to performance ..which has been shown by many respected OCers...with AMD chips cpu mhz is key

get ram maxed will only help of course

first loosen the ram timing and use a divider to ID the max cpu speed ..then go back and tighten the ram timings and speed

I have found that ram mhz makes little real world difference

As you increase the cpu speed the memory controller which is on the chip may not handle as high mhz/ram timings but again you are better off with cpu speed than ram speed

Zebo has an excellent OCing guide in the forum

 

[mfurse]

Thanks very much for the reply Yes, it does 2.6Ghz at 1.35V (thats stock isnt it?), think i might try for 2.8 at 1.45, don't want to go too stupid because I run it 24x7x365 almost!

Have got an SI-120 so temps shouldn't be too much of a problem, but i pushed my poor old 2.6 P4 upto 3.25Ghz for a few years and it gave up on me after 2 years in (will not run anything about stock now ).

Think I will run a multiplier, run some benchmarks, then begin to try and get 1:1 ratio and bench. Whichever is the quickest (or most stable) I will keep.

Matt

 

[nealh]

I found with my opty 170 that if I pushed ram too far it would get slower..I think in my case as I overclock the memory controller becoames more taxed and need looser ram settings

But I found cpu speed is more important for anything I do on daily basis..I do not run my computer 24/7 but my opty170@2700 1.5v with SI120/nexus fan...idle 31/33 C in Tampa, FL with temps here in 70s..

You will find these optys really do get increased temps with small vcore changes...

Yes 1.35v is stock...1.45v is very say vcore..but beware the DFI NF4 UltraD/SLI DR overvolt underload..reports are from 0.025-0.05