overclocking 680i

[bklyn1028]

This is probably said before but....I have never overclocked, but with the system i bought, why not. I have gone to 2.8 on the cpu, and that is it so far. Haven't touched ram, or voltages. My question is:
what do I do with ram. I don't wanna fry anything, I mean, how much noticable is all this going to do anyway, I believe everyone who overclocks does it because they can, and it's an ego thing, which is fine (otherwise I wouldn't have bought what I did).
However, do I leave "sli ready memory" disabled, enabled???....I read that if you have 667 memory, unlink in bios, and set it at 667,.... 800, set it at 800, 1066, set it at 1066. I did that (1066) and the timings went to 7-7-7 something. I got scared, and put everything back to default.
I know, chicken.....
buck,,,buck....any help would be appreciated

 

[PCTC2]

well, voltages depend on the specs (stock voltages), and stability.
You don't want to overvoltage RAM too much.
For the eVGA 680 (i've got the same board), you want to set the RAM to expert (the % OC is crap) and you want to not set it at stock speed, but so the FSB and RAM are at 1:1 ratio/divider. This is found by dividing the Rated FSB (what is chosen) by 4, and dividing RAM speed ratings (DDR2 XXX) by 2. If you have a 1600 MHz FSB, then set your RAM to 800 (1600/4=800/2). At the bottom of the FSB/Memory menu, there's a Memory Timings menu. In there you can set the timings. Set your memory speed and then, for your timings, depending on the RAM and the speed (higher speeds, you probably want looser timings), you can set the timings tighter (lower numbers). 4-4-4-10 is generally a good starting point and 5-5-5-12 for looser timings (memory errors can occur if timings are too tight). you can also set the TRC to 15 or 20 instead of 25 or 35 like it is set at Auto (but not too tight or you may become unstable). After, you probably want to run memtest (search the forums). I'm running my FSB at 1800 and ram at 900. That's a 1:1 ratio (450) and my timings are at 4-4-4-11 /TRC(15). At 4-4-4-10 I start getting memory errors. My memory is rated at 2.1v (check your warranty) but its running at 2.2v (i have the dominator series with fan). it's all relative. chips vary and their limits are at different levels. don't be too afraid but don't get cawcky. Try to tighten the timings a little at 1066 if you want. Hope that helps.

 

[ineedaname]

Unless you set your ram at over 2.6v you're not gonna fry your RAM. You can set your ram to any speed and it will not fry. Only voltages will fry your ram. The only problem you will get is u might have to clear your cmos if you get a failed overclock.

If you're gonna overclock your ram get Memtest86+ bootable iso. After you overclock your ram just use that to test if its stable. If your ram is rated for 1066 you can go ahead and jump straight to 1066. As for the timings just manually set them in because the auto settings really suck. Oh yea and YES disable sli ready memory. That stuff is useless if you're gonna set stuff in manually.

I agree with what PCTC2 says generally about setting your ram. On the other hand I do not suggest setting your ram to 1:1 ratio (also i think true 1:1 is called sync mode in 680i it depends on the mobo manufacturer). This is where the 680i board does wonders. The unlinked dividers allow you to set the ram to almost anything you want. Just leave it on unlinked and start playing with it.

You can usually set the ram up to at least 2.3v for 24/7 use. Some people say even more but if you're conservative then 2.3v is a good number. Just leave it at that voltage and just keep playing with the latencies till you get something that's stable and fast.

If you ask me i'd probably try 1200mhz 5-5-5-12 with that ram and mobo.

Also the same goes for your cpu. You're not gonna kill it unless its 80C or you have over 1.6v on it. So get over your fears and start overclocking!!!!!!

 

[bklyn1028]

I really appreciate all the help you all are doing.....
i o'c yesterday to 3.1, and my temps were idle 57.....load.....66...that is with an Ultra 120 cooler.....at no overclocking my temps are 47 idle, 56 load....the temps scared me.....
I took off the side panel, and the temps didn't change.....so internal cooling is fine ...But if you feel those temps are fine....then, i'm on my way....
by the way, i put my mem @ 1066, set timings at 5-5-5-15.....seemed stable...ration was 2:3.....
temps were based with TAT...and orthos

 

[PCTC2]

yeah. personally, anything over 68 is not preferable.
But those tests seem rather high. I have a Thermalright Ultra 120 using Arctic Silver 5 and my temps are 39 idle and 47 load at 3.6GHz on my E6400, not a E6600. That's a 69% OC.
You shouldn't be getting that high with such a low OC. You might want to check your application of the thermal grease.

 

[bklyn1028]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
yeah. personally, anything over 68 is not preferable.
But those tests seem rather high. I have a Thermalright Ultra 120 using Arctic Silver 5 and my temps are 39 idle and 47 load at 3.6GHz on my E6400, not a E6600. That's a 69% OC.
You shouldn't be getting that high with such a low OC. You might want to check your application of the thermal grease.

I think i'm going to re-seat the Ultra 120. And I used the thermal grease that came with it.