PC2700 Memory and Overclocking a Barton 2500

[slickg]

Hello,

I am going to attempt to switch back my Barton 2500 to run at 3200 on my NF7-S. The problem is that I have PC2700 Memory and I was told by some board members that I need to make sure the Memory "synchs up" with the FSB when overclocked. The problem is I'm not sure exactly how to do this. I've tried changing the Memory timings and voltage, but the Memory is still being read as 333 mhz in POST. What exactly do I need to do to "Synch up" the memory to get a stable running OC machine? Thank you in advance!

 

[Fern]

Well, I don't have my mobo manual near (or the rig in my sig), but I'll try from memory. You need to manually set the ram divider to 1/1, 2/2 3/3 4/4/ 5/5/ 6/6 (I just use 6/6). That will force you ram to run at the same FSB as your cpu. I think this option is either in the SOFT Menu or Advanced Chipset Features in the BIOS.

Since your OC'ing your ram, you'll have to loosen the timings. Good Luck and hope this helps

 

[slickg]

Thank you! Very useful info...I've been looking all over for this. Thanks! Tidbit of info...what if my PC got through Prime95 with 2700 settings already with the chip running at 3200+? Should I still synch up the memory or should I be stable? Thanks again! Very helpful!

 

[Fern]

I can't say if your memory will be stable or not since it's only rated for 166. I'd suggest setting your mem timings to "Optimal" (most stable) when you reset the divider. After saving and exiting BIOS, pop in memtest so you boot directly into it. If it passes that I'd go on to Prime95. If you can't pass memtest, up voltage to memory and/or loosen timings further.

Good Luck with OC!

 

[slickg]

Basically as of right now, I left the Memory settings on optimal and just changed the chip to 3200+ and ran Prime95 for 15 hours with no errors. I beleive the memory is probably still running at 333. It seems pretty stable this way and the processor is still being detected as 2.2 Ghz. Does this make any sense b/c I haven't really synched up the memory, I just set it to optimal.

 

[myocardia]

Just download CPU-Z and then you tell us. Oh, and running the memory out of sync with the processor has nothing at all to do with stability, it just kills all of the performance gain you get from overclocking.

 

[slickg]

Thank you! Very helpful program, the memory was most definately still running at 166 fsb I've tried changing the settings to 6/6 and it is now running at 200 fsb. Thank you! I guess I should run a stability check again (I've set the memory settings to optimal.