New and struggling

[Tony343]

Hi. just joined the forum as I've always been tempted to try and overclock the 'thing' (was very wary of changing voltages) but having a few probs.

Firstly on the memory/fsb ratio. I can drop the DRAM frequency down so that my memory is only running at about 520mhz (DDR2 667mhz)as I overclock to 2.730 ghz, but as soon as I try to raise it (even by one) in the BIOS to bring it back up to stock, it jumps to 799mhz! Instant instability. Can't work out why the big jump at this point

Also I'm running a Q8200 2.33 ghz quad core on an ASrock N7AD-SLI mobo. I can get it up to 2.730 ghz and then start getting instability. Is this about right for this CPU or am I missing something? Haven't touched chipset or CPU voltage.
I'm using a coolermaster V8 CPU cooler and have an Antec 900 case so not having heat issues.

I set the DRAM frequency in the BIOS and have been using ASrock OC tuner to raise the CPU, and Prime95 for stabilty testing.

I appreciate it could be something obvious or I'm going about this the wrong way, but trial and error is my only guide atm

Thanks for any help.

 

[Blue160]

The RAM frequency is probably jumping up because it works on a ratio with the FSB rather than having complete control over it's own speed. You set the target speed, and it gets as close as it can, which sometimes isn't very.

Also it's best to do all your overclocking in bios. Windows based applications don't tend to work very well.

If you have hit a wall with your overclock it's time to change some voltages. When you get to a FSB frequency that is no longer stable increase the CPU voltage by the smallest increment you can and try again. Repeat until you have stability again, then up the FSB a bit more and carry on. Obviously keep an eye on temperatures at all times.

 

[Tony343]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.