Overclocking RAM

[RobFDB]

I'm about to buy components for a new build and was wondering what peoples opinions were on the various high end RAM kits there are out there. I was primarily looking at the Corsair Dominator PC2-8888, but no where seems to have it in stock and it's a lot of money for what it is. The Dominator PC2-9136 is a lot cheaper so I decided to go for that, finally finding somewhere in ole Blighty that stocked it. However I've seen a number of kits at the same speed from OCZ. So what do people suggest? (Yes, I plan overclocking, but only on air).

 

[Noubourne]

Athlon 64s aren't starved for memory bandwidth and neither are C2Ds.

I would buy decent RAM (not great RAM that comes with a 250% price premium) and just use a divider.

 

[myocardia]

While I don't completely agree with Noubourne, why buy anything faster than PC8500? Even with an E6300, with it's low 7x multiplier, you'd have to be running >3.7 Ghz, before you started overclocking the RAM. And you aren't going to be doing that on air.

 

[RobFDB]

Well it's going to be on a QX6700 so i'll be dropping the multiplier and trying to ramp the FSB as high as possible.

 

[Ava1anche]

Like myocardia stated with PC8500 DDR21066 ram to reach 1:1 setting you will need FSB of 533. I guess with a 680i board you can run your ram unlinked.

PS Good luck trying to keep that QX6700 Cool on air!!

 

[RobFDB]

Ok so 8500 would be a sweet spot. What specific makes/models to you guys suggest?

As for keeping the QX6700 cool, even when OC'ed, that's easy, Thermalright 120 Extreme FTW

 

[Ava1anche]

I have read good things and bad things (mostly good things) about the Ultra 120 Extreme but have not seen any one with one on a QX6700. If you have a link please share. I just have not found any type of air cooler to be able to keep the temps down while overclocked.

 

[CrazyHorse]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069

This is the memory i would suggest for the price. I don't think it can get much better then that.

 

[effee]

The benefits are negligible, I dont see why anyone should overclock memory.

 

[CrazyHorse]

Originally posted by: effee
The benefits are negligible, I dont see why anyone should overclock memory.

honestly i don't see why somebody makes a comment like yours in this thread... and ... uhm...


... it still happens...

 

[RobFDB]

It's a X6800 but the principle remains the same: Anandtech review.. As you can see the 120 Extreme overclocks the highest and keeps the CPU the coolest.

 

[Ava1anche]

Originally posted by: CrazyHorse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069

This is the memory i would suggest for the price. I don't think it can get much better then that.

I agree very good memory!

Originally posted by: RobFDB
It's a X6800 but the principle remains the same: Anandtech review.. As you can see the 120 Extreme overclocks the highest and keeps the CPU the coolest.

When you get your system together can you let us know how good the 120 Extreme performs.

Note: Just to let you know I am not saying that the 120 Extreme is a bad heat sink. In fact it is probably the the best air cooler out there. I am just stating the QX6700 is just that hot. A lot hotter than a X6800. If you want a good overclock on that QX6700 you might want to think about water. @ 3.4GHz my load temp was 75º.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: RobFDB
It's a X6800 but the principle remains the same: Anandtech review.. As you can see the 120 Extreme overclocks the highest and keeps the CPU the coolest.

Also, realize that the QX6700 will generate twice as much heat as a X6800.

 

[RobFDB]

Originally posted by: Capt CavemanAlso, realize that the QX6700 will generate twice as much heat as a X6800.

I realise why you're saying that, but could you back it up?

Originally posted by: Ava1ancheWhen you get your system together can you let us know how good the 120 Extreme performs.

Will do.

 

[Noubourne]

Originally posted by: RobFDB

Originally posted by: Capt CavemanAlso, realize that the QX6700 will generate twice as much heat as a X6800.

I realise why you're saying that, but could you back it up?

If it was true, he could, but since it's not, he can't.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: RobFDB
Ok so 8500 would be a sweet spot. What specific makes/models to you guys suggest?

As for keeping the QX6700 cool, even when OC'ed, that's easy, Thermalright 120 Extreme FTW

WRONG:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/aigomorla/IMG_0721.jpg FTW!

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/aigomorla/NewTemps.jpg Try to match my temps.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: RobFDB

Originally posted by: Capt CavemanAlso, realize that the QX6700 will generate twice as much heat as a X6800.

I realise why you're saying that, but could you back it up?

Direct comparison of the temps of those two processors.

 

[RobFDB]

Don't plan on going the H2O route any time soon. I move my PC about a bit so it would be inconvenient. That said, if I had a PC that stayed in one place a lot I'd probably opt for water cooling. Couple of questions for you aigomorla:

If you need to move your PC to another house or LAN party etc do you drain the system?
What's the starting frequency of the X3220 quad?

Originally posted by: myocardia
Direct comparison of the temps of those two processors.

Cheers for the link. Bit of an old review but still very useful. I'd love to see Anandtech use both the X6800 and QX6700 in their HSF reviews. Still, at stock speed and full load it's 7 degrees hotter but thats with a crap cooler. Be very interesting to see what the 120 Extreme can do with it. Obviously I won't be able to overclock a massive amount, but I should be able to break 3ghz. My case is well ventilated too, though with summer approaching I may wait until it starts to cool down before I start any serious overclocking. Also, it's not like I'm going to need that extra speed just yet

 

[lopri]

I am not sure if you intend to overclock your CPU, but the temperature gap (difference between dual-core and quad-core) will widen as clock frequency goes up. I'm also very skeptical at the result the review shows even @2.93GHz. Didn't read the review (just saw the graphs) so I don't know what kind of method they're using to measure the temps, but quad-cores are much hotter than dual-cores. Twice hot may not be a scientific statement but one can certainly feel that way once dealing with quad-cores.

 

[lopri]

OP: what's your choice of motherboard?

 

[Doctahg]

Hope that 120 Extreme performs better than my..two..have..

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: CrazyHorse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069

This is the memory i would suggest for the price. I don't think it can get much better then that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231128

cheaper and uses D9GKX ICs Go G.Skill :thumbsup:

 

[RobFDB]

Originally posted by: lopri
OP: what's your choice of motherboard?

Planning on going SLI (as I already have one 8800GTX) and so am choosing one of the Asus Striker boards, probably the extreme version, see here. That's also the shop i'm buy almost everything from (except the 120 Extreme).

 

[RobFDB]

Right so the system is built and yep it's a bit of a hot one. Bearing in mind that the ambient temperature isn't very good at the moment my idle temp is 46-47 degrees, and playing games takes that up into the high 50's. With four instances of Prime 95 running (each running the small FFTs toture test) the CPU hits 75 degrees, but I can't see any application actually stressing each core 100%. Overall quite happy, but I won't be trying overclocking till the autumn

 

[Nathelion]

75 C even though you have such a high end air cooler and no OC? WOW!