Overclocking reducing system memory frequency?

[Quench]

For some reason when I overclock my CPU greater than 5%, my system memory reduces to a much lower frequency. For instance, I have a P4 2.4Mhz @ 800 FSB and if overclocked greater than 10%, my system POST indicates my ram is operating at 266Mhz.

I have a ASUS P4P800SE mobo with 1GB of Crucial DDR400 ram (2x512).

Any help would be appreciated...thanks.

 

[joejccva]

Originally posted by: Quench
For some reason when I overclock my CPU greater than 5%, my system memory reduces to a much lower frequency. For instance, I have a P4 2.4Mhz @ 800 FSB and if overclocked greater than 10%, my system POST indicates my ram is operating at 266Mhz.

I have a ASUS P4P800SE mobo with 1GB of Crucial DDR400 ram (2x512).

Any help would be appreciated...thanks.

Your ram is operating at DDR266 now because of the divider. It allows it to run at a lower frequency because it cannot run at the same speed as your FSB, therefore it's running at 266 which technically (because its DDR) runs at 133mhz.

What are you full system specs?

 

[Quench]

http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=21036

So I guess I'm pretty much screwed as far as overclocking the CPU? Anyway I can OC without affecting the DDR speed?

Thanks for your help

 

[interchange]

I don't know anything about that mobo, quench, but you should be able to O/C without a RAM divider. I would guess it did it automatically for you and can be disabled. Although, without the divider, you would be overclocking your RAM and it may limit you more than the CPU.

 

[imported_whatever]

You may be able to fix RAM speed at 200 (DDR400) which would eliminate the divider, but idk about your specific mobo.

 

[Quench]

Odd, and at the same time, typical. I did not realize I had the capability of manually adjusting the DDR frequency through the bios.

I fixed the DDR speed @ 400 (as apposed to auto) and OC'd the CPU FSB to 250. After I saved and rebooted, I ran CPU-Z which indicated the proper CPU speed (1000 FSB, 3000 Mhz) and as a result, increased the DDR frequency to 250 Mhz. :/

Again, thanks for the help.

 

[Quench]

Originally posted by: whatever
You may be able to fix RAM speed at 200 (DDR400) which would eliminate the divider, but idk about your specific mobo.

You nailed it :]