Should I raise the multiplier or the HTT?

[WAZ]

I read that the AMD 64s really benefit from increased clock speed rather than increased multiplier.... i.e. 13 x 216MHz would be better than 14 x 200MHz...

That said, I'm new at OC'ing (this is my first one, actually... just getting into it), so I could be misinformed. My understanding is that 1:1 is ideal, even over a divider, so would I see a difference in performance between, say, 14x200 CPU (DDR400 with tighter 2-3-2-5 timings) and 13x216 CPU (DDR432) and 11.5 x 250 CPU (DDR500 with looser 3-3-2-5)?

All of those options would give me ~2.8 GHz, though at varying CPU clocks and RAM speeds.... does it matter? Is the bottom line the total 2.8GHz, or will the higher CPU clock (and equal raising of DDR to 432 or 500) give a performance boost over the simple multiplier increase at DDR400?

 

[myocardia]

All processors/systems perform better with higher FSB/HTT speeds than with lower memory timings. For instance, a FSB/HTT of 250 will outperform an FSB/HTT of 200, even if 250 requires 3-4-4-8 timings, and 200 can do 2-2-2-5 timings, as long as the processor speed is the same. I highly doubt your 2-3-2-5 RAM will do 250 Mhz @ 3-3-2-5 timings, though. You'll want to read this thread, and download Orthos, to make sure your overclock is stable. Make sure you use the "Blend" test on Orthos, so you'll be checking both the processor's and the RAM's overclocks.

 

[Furen]

Save yourself some trouble and just overclock with the multiplier. Your performance increase will be negligible.

 

[WAZ]

Well I was basing those numbers off the few reviews and customer feedback on this G.SKILL RAM I was looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231032

The timings I saw posted included:

2.5-3-2-6 @ 245 MHz
2.5-3-3-7 @ 240
2.5-3-3-7 @ 254
2.5-3-2-5 @ 244
2.5-6-2-5 @ 222
3-3-2-5 @ 250
3-3-2-5 @ 260

Given, these cases may be rare (not sure) so we'll see how it goes with an FX-60 on an MSI K8N-Neo2 Plat.

All that said, though, I just stumbled upon some other 2GB RAM options, including OCZ Performance Series, rated at only 3-3-3-8. What you're saying is, if that OCZ can OC higher than the G.SKILL or ~$200 Kingston HyperX, I should ignore the fact that it's CAS3? The slower latency is less of a factor than the boost i'd get from a higher HTT/FSB?

 

[WAZ]

Also... if I have to relax the timings when going from 200MHz to, say, 240 or 250, would I also have to change it from 1T to 2T ?

Running @ 1T was a big reason I'm going for a 2x1GB kit to begin with...