RAM Overclock Question

[bigal40]

I've read that OCZ Platinum Rev 2 is the best oc'ing ram around, but it costs 270 bucks. OCZ Performance Series is PC3500 and cost only $205. It is already is running 16mhz faster than the OCZ Paltinum which is PC3200. 16 times 11(the muultiplier of a A64 3500) is 176 mhz faster without any oc'ing of the RAM. I want to be able to oc a 3500 to 2.6ghz so i would have to run the ram at 236mhz. With the PC3500 that is only an OC of 20mhz (on the RAM) while on the more expensive PC3200 it is a 36 mhz overclock, almost twice as much.
That is my understanding so please correct me if I am wrong.
So my question is are there any reasons not to get the cheap PC3500 instead of good PC3200.

THanks
Big Al

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

First off I think you are confused. The multiplier of a cpu has nothing to do with memory speed so PC3500 is 16mhz faster x 2 for ddr or 32mhz effective not 176mhz faster. And to answer your other question that PC3200 is the best stuff you can buy for OCing and will proably do that speed with 2-2-2 or 2-3-2 timings and that cheap stuff will probably do it at 3-3-3 timings so I would go with the PC3200.

 

[imported_whatever]

The OCZ Platinum Rev2 will OC better, in most cases it can hit 300MHz with relaxed timings.

 

[JBDan]

Personally I would get the "better" 3200 than "cheap" 3500. Why? COMPATABILITY & STABILITY. Peace of mind

 

[bigal40]

Originally posted by: Computer MAn
First off I think you are confused. The multiplier of a cpu has nothing to do with memory speed so PC3500 is 16mhz faster x 2 for ddr or 32mhz effective not 176mhz faster. And to answer your other question that PC3200 is the best stuff you can buy for OCing and will proably do that speed with 2-2-2 or 2-3-2 timings and that cheap stuff will probably do it at 3-3-3 timings so I would go with the PC3200.

Yes I think I am confused. If ram speed has nothing to do with the speed of the processor then why is good ram needed for overclocking.

 

[Mrvile]

JBDan: Compatability? Huh?

Bigal40: Yes it has something to do with the CPU. Well at least the FSB. When most people OC, they raise the FSB, and if the FSB of the CPU is raised higher than the FSB of the ram, it won't work. Then you'd have to OC your RAM by running it at a higher FSB (you might have to feed it more voltage).

However you also want quality ram with better stability and tighter stock timings, you can then loosen the timings a bit and OC it.

Heh sorry if it's a bit confusing, I have a hard time putting things into words sometimes. Go to the CPU/Overclocking page and read through the first post (by uberleetjared), there's a section about OCing and Ram.

 

[JBDan]

Yes compatability. Through my experiences, default mem speeds (pc3200) are more compatible with the majority of mobo's circulating today. Thats all I meant. I mean this for novices not the OC'er.

 

[Mrvile]

Oh ok no harm meant, no harm done.

 

[JBDan]

LOL :0 no harm taken

 

[bigal40]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
JBDan: Compatability? Huh?

Bigal40: Yes it has something to do with the CPU. Well at least the FSB. When most people OC, they raise the FSB, and if the FSB of the CPU is raised higher than the FSB of the ram, it won't work. Then you'd have to OC your RAM by running it at a higher FSB (you might have to feed it more voltage).

However you also want quality ram with better stability and tighter stock timings, you can then loosen the timings a bit and OC it.

Heh sorry if it's a bit confusing, I have a hard time putting things into words sometimes. Go to the CPU/Overclocking page and read through the first post (by uberleetjared), there's a section about OCing and Ram.

When you say raising the FSB of the processor is that the HTT? RIght now i am on an emachines laptop with a AMD 3000+ mobile and it is running at 1800mhz. In Clockgen it shows the HTT is at 200 and the multiplier is 9. The RAM is at 160. Does this mean there is some kind of divider?

 

[jterrell]

Tight timing pc3200 will overclock better than less tight pc3500.
As you overclock you will need to lower the timing and you can obviously lower a tighter memory farther and get more bang out of it.

This mem is by the same maker which means they know whch is worth more and charge accordingly

The other thing is pc3200 is default right now so will work with the most mobo's.

All that said OCZ pc3500 will be very good for most cases even in overclocking, just perhaps not jaw-dropping results and possibly a few issues with getting it to run at proper speeds.

If you are concerned with price you might check the pc3200 PDP w/XBL. That mem uses the same core chips as the rev 2 EL of OCZ and comes in at like 230 bucks.