Overclocking with 8GB RAM

[SonnyDaze]

I'm running a Q9400 @ 3.4Ghz on an EP45-UD3R. I currently have 2x2GB of G.Skill DDR2-800 RAM. OS is Vista 64.

I'm contemplating going to 8GB but not sure if this might have any impact on my OC.

Anyone out there running something similar (cpu, mobo, RAM) with 8GB and a successful OC?

 

[OCGuy]

Do you do something that you think you would ever need over 4GB of RAM?


The more sticks you have the harder it is on your northbridge, and it does make it harder to get higher stable clocks.

 

[Phew]

Some people have problems with the UD3R/P and 8 Gigs, although mine works OK. The only weird thing is my RAM timings are stuck at 7-7-7-20, whether I have one stick in there or four. Any attempt to manually set the RAM to its stock timings (5-5-5-15) results in an inability to boot, regardless of RAM voltage, performance mode settings, FSB, etc.

The loose timings don't seem to affect any real-world apps, so I don't fret about it to much. I haven't encountered anyone else with this problem though.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I'm running 4x2GB and a Q9550 on a EP45-UD3P

I have it at 8.5x400 and RAM running at PC6400 @ 4-4-4-12. The fastest I could run without advanced tweaking was 435MHz FSB, but I think that's more due to by CPU since i have to drive about 1.4V (CPU) to get there. I haven't tested max FSB only nor have I tested 2x2GB. I also like to run a silent PC, so I try to keep an overclock that's manageable with slow moving 120mm fans.

I'll have to double check my NB volts, but I think I'm only running 1.26V

The reason I got 8GB RAM was to run VMs and DDR2 prices seemed to bottom out. I know I'll need to repatriate those sticks somewhere else in 2-3 years when DDR2 prices are high again.

 

[bigsnyder]

Q9550 @ 3.7Ghz on GA-EX38-DS4 board with 8gigs of ram. Running fine with just modest voltage increase

 

[lopri]

I have a "P" version board. It's so far handled 8GB exceptionally well @800/900/960/1080 with a Q9400 and a E8400.

 

[Xed]

I underclocked my ram and posted fine. Required no changes in any voltage or cpu oc. I do have a different mb than you however and run ddr3

 

[faxon]

the thing i would check before doing it is how low you can take your northbridge voltage before you have instability issues in your system. generally any instability from adding a second kit of ram to the system can be remedied with a increase in northbridge voltage (for intel 775 anyway), though in some cases of high overclocks on the ram/FSB increased FSB voltage may be needed as well. you probably wont run into that issue at 425FSB though, with that only being a 25mhz FSB oc over what it can do stock

 

[elconejito]

I'm running a UD3R with 8GBs of RAM with a Q9650. Currently sitting at 450FSB, the RAM is only at 900Mhz. When I was testing max FSB I went as high as 500FSB, with RAM at 1000Mhz without much trouble getting there. I don't have it in front of me right now, but I think the most NB voltage i put on it was maybe 1.4v, I'm pretty sure it was less than that.

 

[TidusZ]

I have heard of people having trouble keeping overclocks when going from 4 to 8 gigs of ram, specifically N7 had this problem. I went from 4 to 8 and had no issues and my overclock is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[n7]

425 FSB is nothing...you'll be fine with 8 GB.

It's when you actually start pushing the board that things get annoying with 8 GB.

When i had my UD3P, I was just fine up until around 465 FSB with 8 GB...but i could do just as far with my P5Q-D (which i like better & wasn't as flakey or inconsistent).

Others have had great success with 8 GB on that board, even at high FSBs.
I'd say certainly go for it, especially since you're only doing light OCing.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

3 x 2gb and q9400 on a ud3r, stock voltages on everything.
threw a fan on the nb to keep it cool because i did notice it ran very hot.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Thanks for the replies folks. :thumbsup:

Looks like I'll be getting another 4 Gigs.