Memory timing vs CPU clock speed

Mitch007 · 15 Sep 2006 at 09:46

Can anyone give me an idea about the relationship between CPU clock speed (FSB) and the memory timings. Which is best to boos and what aspect of memory timings are most critical?

I know if you slack of memory timings you can generally clock harder and to the limit of the processor, as opposed to being memory limited.. But i thought for good overall performance and speed (gaming frame rate) faster memory timings were better?

My system CPU speed and memory timings are in my sig, if i slacken of memory even more would i see a bigger benefit in additional CPU overclockability?

Minstadave · 15 Sep 2006 at 10:16

P4s do well with slack timings and the highest memory speed you can achieve.

Mitch007 · 15 Sep 2006 at 12:38

interesting, i guess the only way to find out is to give it a go....

I know if i set 2-2-2-4, i can only get the memory to 360 (although it's DDR 400) and CPU at 3.5gig, but the bench results are the same if i slacken the memory 2-3-3-6, and wind up the memory clocks to 440.... CPU same...

Minstadave · 15 Sep 2006 at 12:52

What benches did you do?

Mitch007 · 15 Sep 2006 at 14:01

3dmark series.....

i've also got prime95, codecreatures and aquamark

i don't want the fastest CPU in the world but would like to get best gaming performance from the rig i have..... and what ever this rig i have can deliver..

MuSsEr · 15 Sep 2006 at 17:19

is your memory running at 1T or 2T command rate?

1T increases performance but may hamper your oc

Mitch007 · 15 Sep 2006 at 23:32

running 1T, and yes i think it is hampering O/C. set ram timing to normal..(for this mobo = (*-4-4-8, * = 2 CAS latency fixed setting, can set to 3 and will do so) but as you see 1T timing, need to try again and slow down ram further...2T will help CPU

Cyber-Mav · 15 Sep 2006 at 23:38

best bench to use for these kinds of test is super pi.

Mitch007 · 16 Sep 2006 at 08:54

1M Super PI run 49 seconds with current set-up.
512K Super PI 17 seconds.

is this ok?