RAM OVERCLOCK

[appye]

okay, i guess what i want to know is how I am to figure out if my problem is CPU or RAM related. I am able to get the CPU up to a prime95 (blend and max fpu) stable 2304 mhz but i have to bring the memory ratio down a notch to the 166mhz multiplier (if you have seen this bios, you know what i am talking about ... basically 5:4) so the bios reports it to be running at 212mhz. If i run it at a 1:1 ratio, i get a prime 95 (blend) fail withing a minute or so. Doom3 also freezes every few minutes for several seconds at a time and then continues along okay.

I have tried RAM voltages at every concievable level, but i just cannot seem to get much more than 220mhz or so out of it without it being unhappy.

Since this is supposed to be such good ram for overclocking, these are not results that i am very happy with.

with the memory controller is now the CPU, how do i know if my problem is cpu or RAM related? I do not have access to any other hardware to test these items individually.

Even though it nowhere near the results obtained on the anandtech 90nm review, I can live with 2.3ghz, but this is not what I expected to get with this "killer" ram.

suggestions?

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

It's damn good RAM!

Try raising your timings and then see how high you can get, start at 2.5-3-3-10 and play around a bit. You'll be at 260 MHz minimum in no time.

 

[tbates757]

I agree.. it appears you are running CAS2. Try 2.5-4-4-10 or even 3-4-4-10. Latencies are miniscule in comparison to bandwidth. Also go up to 2.9v. If you still can't get it to work and you are convinced it's the RAM, just shoot OCZ tech support an email. They are great people and will get you squared away no problem.

 

[appye]

damn ... forgot to mention that ... i have already tried loosening the timings up quite a bit. Doesn't seem to help. There is definately a problem here. Heat is also not an issue, as i have ducted the hell out of this system, got lout fans, a killer heatsink, and temps are all nice and low. I cannot even run 240 fsb with 3-4-4-10 ... This is when i lower the cpu multiplier and the HTT as well, isolating the RAM (or the memory controller)

I would really like to know if there would be any way to test if it is either the CPU (the memory controller being integrated there) or the RAM.

And what utility would I use to up the ram to 2.9V? I know they are supposed to be rated for that, but the BIOS maxes at 2.85v.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

You shouldn't need 3V for TCCD, as a matter of fact, TCCD in general does not seem to like real high voltage.

Other than that:

1) If you've got a SATA drive connect it to 3 or 4, as 1 and 2 are not frequency locked.
2) Update your bios.
3) Make sure your HTT frequency is within bounds.

 

[imported_TimJ]

Did you run memtest86?

http://www.memtest86.com/

 

[appye]

I have tried all manners of voltage with this ram, I have tried all bios versions from 1.2 - 1.41, and I only use IDE, with all SATA items turned off in the bios. I have also tried this with low HTT multipliers such as 2-3x, although 4x256 is Prime95 (blend) stable for 12 hours using the 166 MHz memory divider and 2-2-3-10 (1T) at ? 2.85v. With these settings I can also splatter zombies in Doom 3 for hours on end.

Interestingly enough, CPU-Z lists the ram as running at 209 MHz whereas the BIOS reports 213 MHz. This OS, WinXP SP2 (slipstreamed) was installed using my old rig, so perhaps my problems could be software/driver related? The reason I have not yet reinstalled the OS is because I wanted to try and get everything "dialed in" before reinstalling the OS and my guh-zillion programs and games. Drivers are also the ones from the CD, and not the latest and greatest from the internet.

As for memtest86, I have seen that there is also a special version made by OCZ developers, but will this program determine if the problem is the Controller or the RAM?

UPDATE: I have tried my timings loosened ALL THE WAY to 3-6-7-15 (2T)
at 2.85v 1:1 (256 MHz), and Doom 3 crashes or freezes randomly.

SIDE NOTE: I have been listing my RAM timings in the order that CPU-Z lists them, CAS LATENCY ? RAS to CAS DELAY ? RAS PRECHARGE ? CYCLE TIME ? so right now I am running at 2-2-3-10, but I notice that in an Anandtech review (http://www.anandtech.com/memor....aspx?i=2226&p=12) of this memory, they listed it running a stable 218mhz at 2-3-2-10 ? so did they get different results from me, or are they simply listing their timings in a different order? Is there some kind of Uberstandard we should all be going by?

 

[boxoreds]

I have the same RAM (I think they're Rev2) and have also had problems trying to overclock. I stopped trying a while back. I don't think I ever got it over 210 @ 1:1. Got it over 250 @ 3:2 though. Tight timings gave me problems too. I don't do a lot of gaming so it wasn't really an issue. I just enjoy the computer. I'll keep an eye on this thread though.

 

[Insomniak]

RULE NUMBER 1 OF OVERCLOCKING:

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY

If you don't reach your desired overclock, sorry, but you don't get to complain. You didn't pay for the performance, so aren't owed it. I'm so sick of threads like this where people whine about not hitting what they're "supposed to" for an OC. Quit b*tching and go play a game.