Overclocking question re: CPU clock vs Mem speed

hughythomas · 14 May 2009 at 12:42

Hi guys I have the following:

ASUS P5K-E Wifi
Intel E8400
4GB OCZ Reaper 8500

My question is this:

I normally have my E8400 overclocked to 4.40Ghz @ 1.35v under water. In doing so I have to set the RAMs frequency to 975 (its 487x9 to achieve the oc).

I am curious though would I get better performance by lowering the clock of the CPU and raising the frew of the RAM or would I see performance go down? I know the RAM can't seem to handle much above stock speed of 1066mhz. Could be a timing thing I dont know. Although there is not much air flow in my case especially the ram.

Regards Tom

Plec · 14 May 2009 at 12:47

You're only talking about 91Mhz - personally i would stick to what you've got as i doubt there will be any gain in trying to get your memory up to speed by reducing your cpu clock.

Great clock speed - n1.

JonJ678 · 14 May 2009 at 13:04

Have a look at your reaper. Mine says rated for 1066mhz at 2.2V, with ocz warranty this up to 2.25V. That's a hell of a lot of voltage available without even voiding warranty. You could try upping voltage slightly for tighter timings, but I'd leave the ram speed at 1:1 and definitely leave the processor at 4.4, that's very good for an e8400

hughythomas · 14 May 2009 at 13:09

Tbh not worried aboot timings its more the memory speed. Thank you for your replies though guys appreciated!

So the consensus is not to worry? The other option I have for the ram is something like 1175mhz (with the CPU at 4.40Ghz) and everytime I try to run any game it normally crashes to desktop after half an hour. Tbh, I think this chip is capable of more! Doesn't even break a sweat at 4.40Ghz...

Plec · 14 May 2009 at 13:43

I have the same issue with my memory - i made the conscious decision early on that the few extra Mhz just wasn't worth the stability issues.

But like you i feel my chip will give me more - so i'm going to concentrate on that as I feel it may be capable of 4Ghz eventually. What's your target as that is a huge clock already?

hughythomas · 14 May 2009 at 14:00

Not sure of my target mate...I've had it at 4.40Ghz for 4 months now rock stable. My temps are 38c idle and 45c load so I'm just thinking I can push it harder as long as the chip can take it - I appreciate that every CPU has its limits irrespective of the temp. I just enjoy overclocking!!!

lynchy6789 · 14 May 2009 at 17:29

4.40 is very nice really wish i went for the E8400. You could have brought it 1year ago for £111 why didn't i chose to build my pc then

First time at overclocking for me and i managed to get my e7400 to 3.7 Ghz stable on prime for 16hours not had a single crash. I have managed to get it to 4.0Ghz but i means i have to run my fans on high and my hearing is more important plust my 6400 ram is holding me back now.

hughythomas · 14 May 2009 at 17:32

Crap man looking at my order history on ocuk I have had it for a year!! Bought it when it was that price! Aboot the only thing I've bought which was a "Swchccchhwwwwing"!

EDIT: Actually the P5K-E was a good choice to! Everything else in my rig from a year ago has been sold on... lol!