AnandTech reports here that they pushed low-end 1.8v DDR2-533MHz memory to 800MHz with 4-3-3-8 timings at 2.1v indicating that high-end, low-latency memory is NOT a necessity for overclocking (even if high-end RAM does provide the very best results).
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2797&p=17
Meanwhile, Xbitlabs reports here that (quote); ?even with bad timings DDR2-800 works faster than DDR2-600 with the best timings.?
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/core2duo-memory-guide_8.html
Which report is correct in your opinion?
Regardless, it would seem from what I?ve read that having memory that will initially post at stock 1.8v is important. For instance, many people report first-day boot failures with 2.1v OCZ modules ? having to resort to low-end 1.8v RAM so they can get into BIOS and increase their vdimm setting before the high-end RAM will work. Well, I supposed I can borrow a stick of cheap DDR2 memory from somewhere for a day if I have to.
Moreover?.as you know, the Allendale/Conroe CPU multipliers look like this:
E6300 = FSB x 7
E6400 = FSB x 8
E6600 = FSB x 9
E6700 = FSB x 10
The Asus P5B Deluxe (which I?m most interested in) has the ability to override the locked CPU multiplier down but not up. (Asus reportedly says that some chips at random can be unlocked both down AND up but I haven?t seen anyone confirm that). Anyway, numerous articles I?ve read claim that the Allendale/Conroe chips with higher CPU multipliers overclock better since the FSB doesn?t have to be pushed as far before the CPU maxes out (lower FSB puts less stress on the NorthBridge).
However, this VERY interesting thread suggests the opposite ? that CPU?s with LOWER multipliers overdrive the NB less.
http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23803
I?d hate like hell to spend extra $$ for an E6400, then have to unlock it DOWN to a 7x multiplier and then also find WORSE overclocking results than if I?d bought an E6300 in the first place!
BOTTOM LINE:
In your opinion....
- is DDR2-533, DDR2-667, or DDR2-800 memory the best overclocking value??
- is the best overclocking choice an E6300 or an E6400 ??
- which Allendale Stepping and Revision seems most ideal ??
Your opinions and experience, please.
Here's the system I'm planning...
ASUS P5B Deluxe
Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 3.2GHz (400fsb x 8)
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB DDR2-800 TWIN2X2048-6400
Zalman CPNS9500 AT
ENERMAX Liberty 400W Power Supply
Antec Solo ATX mid-tower (with 2x optional 92mm case fans)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA (3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache)
BFG Tech Geforce 7900GS 256MB
PowerColor Theater 550 PRO PCI-e TV Tuner
Memorex DVD+/-RW Dual-X1 EIDE (reused)
WinXP-SP2 Pro
OTOH, if I could pull it off, I'd be a lot happier with a 3.2GHz overclock of a E6300 (457fsb x 7) and low-end A-DATA Vitesta 2GB DDR2-533 pushed to 800MHz 4-3-3-8 @ 2.1v. After all, the whole point of overclocking is seeing how much you can do with how little.
It's worth mentioning too that I'm seeking a 100% stable 24/7 overclock on air that doesn't take three months to dial-in. With kids keeping me busy, time becomes part of the "how little" equation too!
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2797&p=17
Meanwhile, Xbitlabs reports here that (quote); ?even with bad timings DDR2-800 works faster than DDR2-600 with the best timings.?
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/core2duo-memory-guide_8.html
Which report is correct in your opinion?
Regardless, it would seem from what I?ve read that having memory that will initially post at stock 1.8v is important. For instance, many people report first-day boot failures with 2.1v OCZ modules ? having to resort to low-end 1.8v RAM so they can get into BIOS and increase their vdimm setting before the high-end RAM will work. Well, I supposed I can borrow a stick of cheap DDR2 memory from somewhere for a day if I have to.
Moreover?.as you know, the Allendale/Conroe CPU multipliers look like this:
E6300 = FSB x 7
E6400 = FSB x 8
E6600 = FSB x 9
E6700 = FSB x 10
The Asus P5B Deluxe (which I?m most interested in) has the ability to override the locked CPU multiplier down but not up. (Asus reportedly says that some chips at random can be unlocked both down AND up but I haven?t seen anyone confirm that). Anyway, numerous articles I?ve read claim that the Allendale/Conroe chips with higher CPU multipliers overclock better since the FSB doesn?t have to be pushed as far before the CPU maxes out (lower FSB puts less stress on the NorthBridge).
However, this VERY interesting thread suggests the opposite ? that CPU?s with LOWER multipliers overdrive the NB less.
http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23803
I?d hate like hell to spend extra $$ for an E6400, then have to unlock it DOWN to a 7x multiplier and then also find WORSE overclocking results than if I?d bought an E6300 in the first place!
BOTTOM LINE:
In your opinion....
- is DDR2-533, DDR2-667, or DDR2-800 memory the best overclocking value??
- is the best overclocking choice an E6300 or an E6400 ??
- which Allendale Stepping and Revision seems most ideal ??
Your opinions and experience, please.
Here's the system I'm planning...
ASUS P5B Deluxe
Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 3.2GHz (400fsb x 8)
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB DDR2-800 TWIN2X2048-6400
Zalman CPNS9500 AT
ENERMAX Liberty 400W Power Supply
Antec Solo ATX mid-tower (with 2x optional 92mm case fans)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA (3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache)
BFG Tech Geforce 7900GS 256MB
PowerColor Theater 550 PRO PCI-e TV Tuner
Memorex DVD+/-RW Dual-X1 EIDE (reused)
WinXP-SP2 Pro
OTOH, if I could pull it off, I'd be a lot happier with a 3.2GHz overclock of a E6300 (457fsb x 7) and low-end A-DATA Vitesta 2GB DDR2-533 pushed to 800MHz 4-3-3-8 @ 2.1v. After all, the whole point of overclocking is seeing how much you can do with how little.
It's worth mentioning too that I'm seeking a 100% stable 24/7 overclock on air that doesn't take three months to dial-in. With kids keeping me busy, time becomes part of the "how little" equation too!