Memory holding me back??

[daz.rathbone]

Hey all, just after some advice really.
Just changed my cpu/mobo to a Gigabyte X48 DS4 with an E8500 (cooled by TTower). The ram I'm using is 4GB (2x2GB) Geil Black Dragon 6400.

Now the E8500 went straight in at just over 4GHz, using 1.2V and 422FSB, which I'm very happy with. This board's lowest ram multi appears to be 1:1 tho - I've tried to push it a little more, but theres no stability - I'm fairly sure it's this ram holding me back.

So, even though I'm very happy with the 4GHz, I'm giving some serious thought to dropping £80 on the OCZ Reaper 4GB set and seeing if I unleash any more headroom. I have a server which would happily swallow another 4GB, so my existing ram wouldnt go to waste.

Oh yeah, temps... using Realtemp shows both cores idling around 38/39c, and maxing out around 55/56c - so I think there's some headroom there.

Any thoughts or opinions appreciated. It's rare than I'm lucky enough to get what seems a great OCing chip, so whilst part of me says "be happy with what you've got", the OC part of me wants to find it's limit

 

[mp260767]

you got the ram voltage set ok, tried relaxing the timings ?

seen 1/2 people round here recommend that memory so hopefully they'll see the thread and offer some help.

maybe worth checking the memory forum.

 

[daz.rathbone]

RAM seems happy around 2.1V. TBH I've not tried to slacken the timings, it's currently running at 5-6-6-18, which I think is about right for the overclock it currently has - you think it's worth dropping them more? Might give that a try as at least it would show for definate where my limit is.

I'd also be interested in people's views on how much juice to give the CPU. I've seen reports of people firing 1.5-1.6V even under air, which seems pretty ludicrous to me with these chips (also seen plenty recommend a 1.4 limit, which sounds better). Not even sure if this chip will need more voltage to go higher, so far seems a great clocker.

Cheers

 

[1kiwi]

That ram should be good for atleast 450. The easiest way to tell, is to drop the multiplier and keep pushing the FSB.