Help with My Memory??? Other Vista Discussions Discuss Help with My Memory??? in the Windows Vista forums; Hi Gang: I know that many of you know that I am mainly a user. I neglected my "technician training" because of more important things earlier on. Now, ...

[Znod]

Hi Gang:

I know that many of you know that I am mainly a user. I neglected my "technician training" because of more important things earlier on. Now, I find myself woefully ignorant on many things including memory. I am posting a snip below reflecting CPU-Z info related to one of my DIMMs; the info related to my other three DIMMs, of course, is identical.

As shown, my memory is PC2-5300 (333 Mhz) I have been using Memtest86+ (http://patriotmemory.com/support/utilitiesp.jsp), and the program seems to imply that it is testing my memory at 333 Mhz. It shows no errors across many tests and long test periods. So, is the implication that I should be able to overclock to 333 Mhz probably with no problem?

As implied, I am interested in overclocking my RAM a bit--maybe all the way to 333 Mhz--which is its max. So, do I just change the number (possibly trying 300 Mhz first for safety) in my bios? Do I need to change anything else? And, it appears that my bios requires a password to make any "advanced" changes. I assume I just enter the password of my choice and confirm if necessary, etc.

Alternatively, I may decide to buy 2 GB (replacing 4 GB) of really good fast very well-cooled, probably overclocked, RAM. First, I wonder if I must use PC2-5300. And, I wonder if there is a practical upper limit in RAM Ghz given that my computer is well cooled, itself; my mobo is an Intel 975X with DDR2 and Core Duo support, and my processor is an Intel Core2 Extreme quad core QX6700 (2.66 Ghz, 1066 MHz FSB, 2x4MB cache).

FYI, I am aware that overclocking involves risk and may affect warranty service. I am not very interested in discussing these things. However, I am interested in assessing the risks given the alternatives mentioned above.

[Snuffy]

The OC Guru AutoDrive technology lets you preset different overclocking settings for different applications as needed. Based on the Intel 975X chipset
----------------------------
You have to OVERCLOCK your BUS to overclock the ram and FSB
---------------------------------
Memory options are quite extensive and allows for editing in 5 areas. By setting the DRAM Timing Selectable to "manual", all the main settings become available. CAS Latency ranges from 3 to 6. Ras# to CAS# Delay goes from 2 to 6. The same range exists for the RAS# Precharge. tRAS settings start at 8 and top off at 15.

Less experienced overclockers will probably be interested in MSI's DOT control page. From here, there are a number of predefined settings to choose from.

Best I can do to help....It's all in the BIOS settings..

[Znod]

Thanks very much Snuffy. I'll check the software, etc., that you mentioned out. I assume that OC Guru AutoDrive is software.

[Snuffy]

yes it is software...

[Znod]

Ah, yes, software, but apparently more:

"µGuru combines the latest PC technologies, providing users with an unforgottable PC experience. µGuru integrates a hardware microchip which interacts with Windows-based software applications to maximize PC performance and stability, while allowing for zero CPU usage.

µGuru features ABIT AutoDrive™ overclocking, advanced audio features, auto FAN speed control, self-diagnostic H/W monitoring, one click BIOS updating, and 24 hours e-service. µGuru combines ABIT EQ, OC Guru, FlashMenu and BlackBox applications with a user-friendly interface, providing users perfect environment for performance and stability. Furthermore, ABIT's new Guru Clock brings users prompt overclocking and monitoring hardware status without the need to enter Windows-based utilities. Users no longer have to worry about being interrupted while they're playing games or applications in full screen when they want to increase the system speed.

µGuru reinforces ABIT's leading position in the motherboard industry."

[Snuffy]

Many programs from other mobo manufactures will assist on other makers products. Reason they are the same chipsets... MSI's program will find many drivers and assist in OC'ng if the Chips are correct.
---------------------------------------------------------------

You have to OVERCLOCK your BUS to overclock the ram and FSB
---------------------------------
Memory options are quite extensive and allows for editing in 5 areas. By setting the DRAM Timing Selectable to "manual", all the main settings become available. CAS Latency ranges from 3 to 6. Ras# to CAS# Delay goes from 2 to 6. The same range exists for the RAS# Precharge. tRAS settings start at 8 and top off at 15.

and away we go...

[felix8406]

The biigest issue with overclocking is heat as in oveerheating. OCing any computer component, whether it's RAM, CPU, Graphics Card, etc. can lead to not just failure of the component itself, but failure of the motherboard as well. It might work for a while, but when it finally gives, it might be the end of the PC. I wouldn't recommend to anyone to OC anything unless they have experience and a good temperature monitoring program.

[Seansmit17]

Hey znod.. im probaly the only person here that really knows about over clocking but i could be wrong on that one! :P

Right.. so you want to overclock your memory.. well if you memory is DDR5300 .. hmm ive seen PC2-5400 but not 5300.. so your ddr runs at a total speed of 667mhz (providing your FSB is 800mhz or faster on your CPU) the 333mhz is your fsb (the speed at witch the memory will talk to the cpu/shipset)

Now the Multiplier on your cpu (multiplier sets the speed of your cpu. like my fsb is 133mhz, my cpu multiplier is x20 so thats 133 * 20 = 2.66Ghz ok) is locked so overclocking just the ram just wont be possible.. your fsb in the bios will be set to somthing like 133 if it is.. you will probaly get away with setting it to 143 but no higher i dont think. let me know what the bios says about your cpu multiplier and fsb

[Znod]

Thanks Snuffy, felix, and Sean:

I'll get back to you soon Sean. I have some work to do now.

[Znod]

Originally Posted by Seansmit17

Hey znod.. im probaly the only person here that really knows about over clocking but i could be wrong on that one! :P

Right.. so you want to overclock your memory.. well if you memory is DDR5300 .. hmm ive seen PC2-5400 but not 5300. so your ddr runs at a total speed of 667mhz (providing your FSB is 800mhz or faster on your CPU) the 333mhz is your fsb (the speed at witch the memory will talk to the cpu/shipset)

Now the Multiplier on your cpu (multiplier sets the speed of your cpu. like my fsb is 133mhz, my cpu multiplier is x20 so thats 133 * 20 = 2.66Ghz ok) is locked so overclocking just the ram just wont be possible.. your fsb in the bios will be set to somthing like 133 if it is.. you will probaly get away with setting it to 143 but no higher i dont think. let me know what the bios says about your cpu multiplier and fsb

Hi Sean:

Thanks very much for your help. I am vaguely aware of some of the things you say. Above, I knew better than this: "As implied, I am interested in overclocking my RAM a bit--maybe all the way to 333 Mhz--which is its max." I mixed some numbers. Still, I wouldn't have known what I was talking about.

Yes, my RAM is 667 MHz, and it defintely is PC5300 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (4-1024 MB). My rated FSB is 1066.7 MHz and my multiplier is 6 (see first snip below--snip 2 below provides additional processor-related info from CPU-Z). So, 6 X 10% (assumed) X 1066.7 GHz = 640 MHz (i.e., 133 x 10% X 20 = 2.66 MHz). Given these calculations, I assume that I would be looking for an FSB value of either 640, 160 (= 640 / 4 to allow for quad core), or 1600 = 10 X 160 for core speed. And, I find 1600 in the first snip.

From above, you seem to imply that my core speed might be increased in my bios by about 7.5% [(143 - 133) /133] X 100. So, that would imply a change in my bios to either 1720 = 1.075 X 1600 Mhz or 1.075 X 160 = 172. Any thoughts?

Would I need to change anything else? How much risk would I be taking? What if I bought two GB of really superior well-cooled PC5300 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM? I guess doing what is implied by my last question wouldn't help since it is the processor I would be overclocking. In this regard, does overclocking the processor automatically overclock the RAM. If so, then, if I bought RAM, would I optimally buy 717 MHz = 1.075 X 667 MHz overclocked RAM (assuming such RAM is available)? Would there be a substitute for the PC5300 if it is not available in the MHz I would need?

I'll be gone for a while. Thanks much again.