Why Overclock AMD 64?

[imported_DangerMouse]

Hi. Well maybe its kinda newbie question but i am still confused.
From what i gathered on various forums people have big issues with low latency memory compatibility
trying to overclock socket 754 CPU and HUGE issues with socket 939.
Now why instead of getting amd 64 3000 or 3200 2Ghz, expensive 2x512 sticks of CL2 memory,
custom coolers and heatsinks and suffer trying to overclock it while one can simply buy
amd 64 3400 2.4Ghz, use 1 Gb CL2.5 memory stick and have same performance?
Thanks

 

[BW86]

you dont need low latency memory with an a64. I overclock because i want to save money I didnt have to buy a custom cooler or expensive ram.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: DangerMouse
Hi. Well maybe its kinda newbie question but i am still confused.
From what i gathered on various forums people have big issues with low latency memory compatibility
trying to overclock socket 754 CPU and HUGE issues with socket 939.
Now why instead of getting amd 64 3000 or 3200 2Ghz, expensive 2x512 sticks of CL2 memory,
custom coolers and heatsinks and suffer trying to overclock it while one can simply buy
amd 64 3400 2.4Ghz, use 1 Gb CL2.5 memory stick and have same performance?
Thanks

there really isn't a big issue w/ "low latency memory compatibility". you may be thinking of some issues with multiple sticks of double sided ram in earlier c0 steppings, but it doesn't seem to be a concnern with the newer CG steppings.

as far as spending more on low latency ram, it's not really that much more.. you can get corsair 2x512 cl2 memory for about $200; their cl2.5 is only about $15 less per stick. not much difference, really.

otoh, on pricewatch the diff between an athlon64 2800+ and 3200+ is about $50; cheaper to go the cl2 memory, and will be faster than the 3200+ as not only will the fsb/htt be higher, but the memory latency will be lower. more "bang for the buck".

further, many people simply like to "play" with their system, and they certainly like getting more than what they paid for.

Originally posted by: BW86
you dont need low latency memory with an a64. I overclock because i want to save money I didnt have to buy a custom cooler or expensive ram.

actually that's not true. ram latency actually has more impact on an a64 than it does an intel, although the impact lessens as the frequency rises.

 

[LocutusX]

Originally posted by: DangerMouse
custom coolers and heatsinks and suffer trying to overclock it while one can simply buy

Huh? Most people will consider "custom coolers and heatsinks" as standard fare for overclocking ANY cpu. Why would that imply suffering of some sort?

That aside, I had no problems getting a +400mhz overclock with the A64 3000+ I bought in August, using stock voltage and stock cooling. Been that way for 2 months, no problems. But I did pick up a better cooler this week so I can push it beyond 2500, just for the hell of it. Try to hit 2600 on air cooling so I can "show off".

Also, when I got my chip on sale in August for CAD$225 there was a huge price difference between it and the 3400+. Except I was able to get 3400+ performance out of the box, literally. (Since my RAM isn`t that great (it can`t run 240mhz 1:1) I had to push it down to 5:6, which makes it run at 200mhz - same as a stock 3400+).

 

[WebDude]

Originally posted by: DangerMouse
Now why instead of getting amd 64 3000 or 3200 2Ghz, expensive 2x512 sticks of CL2 memory,
custom coolers and heatsinks and suffer trying to overclock it while one can simply buy
amd 64 3400 2.4Ghz, use 1 Gb CL2.5 memory stick and have same performance?
Thanks

Well that's a valid question. I think the answer depends upon how much you're going to overclock. My 3200+ chip runs at 200mhz fsb (factory spec's). If I can run it at 250mhz, that gives me the equivalent of a 4000+ chip. Not to mention the performance gains from running the memory that fast. So I think it's worth it if you can get a nice overclock out of it. If you're only going for a 5% increase or so, might not be worth the trouble.

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

One of the great things about the A64 is that you can overclock the processor without ocing the memory too without any penalty. So only spend more on RAM if you want something faster than DDR400, but you can still OC otherwise.