Ram OC'ing

[Genix]

Is it really possible to overclock your RAM? What does it improve? Loading times?

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: Genix
Is it really possible to overclock your RAM? What does it improve? Loading times?

You overclock your RAM by increasing the FSB. It can increase the performace of many things, games, etc.
You can see here on what it can do for you.

 

[Genix]

Wow that's cool. How would you go about changing the FSB though? And how do you cool RAM efficiently?

 

[arcenite]

Usually the settings would be in your BIOS for modern boards, but for older boards you would probably only have certain options depending on the memory (66/100/133)

Bill

 

[mjolnir2k]

Things to keep in mind. Different memory types are more / less responsive to OC'ing. Good luck trying to get pc2100 cranked up to a high FSB if it is not a very high quality RAM.

Ususally memory OC'ers will get memory that is "rated" for higher speeds than their MoBo would support to give them adequite headroom for FSB OC'ing.

Example PC3500 is rated to do 400+mhz but most MoBo's will run it at pc2700 speeds, as that is the fastest the MoBo can recognize. However, OC'ing the FSB is a snap with this memory b/c it can handle the OC much better.

Also, you may need to overvolt the memory to achieve better results.

You can cool the memory by using a heatspreader (Check the thermaltake units).

 

[microAmp]

It should also be taken note that if you overclock the RAM, you are also overclocking (o/c) the CPU.

I'm not sure how it is on a Intel board, but I've seen on AMD boards in the BIOS " Host Clk + 33" (FSB + 33 MHz on RAM only) This would only o/c RAM and not the CPU. The CPU would say still run at 133 MHz, while RAM is running at 166 MHz. In that aspect for an AMD system, the benefits are really not going to be there.