Overclocking RAM

kitdax · 1 Jan 2013 at 20:57

Hiya guys.
when i finally order my components for my first build and put it to together.
I want it to run as well as possable.
Now i have never OC'd before i dont think i feel comfortable OC'ing a cpu(still deilberating between A10 5800K & A10 5700) without someone there with me holding my hand.
But,done some reading and most say OC'ing RAM is basic stuff.
How do i do it and also when do i need to adjust the timing as well as the MHz and Voltage?

Orcvader · 1 Jan 2013 at 21:11

Depends on the RAM you're getting, but most will have XMP profiles which are presets to run at higher speeds. If you want to go beyond the XMP profile speed though, when upping the speed you may need to loosen the timings and/or up the RAM voltage to keep it stable.

If I was you, if you're planning to overclock and don't feel 100% confident on it, perhaps the 5800K would be best to go since it has an unlocked multiplier, overclocking via the multiplier instead of the FSB will mean the only thing you have to worry about is the CPU stability, since overclocking the FSB will affect other things in the system as well.

kitdax · 1 Jan 2013 at 21:57

Orcvader said:
Depends on the RAM you're getting, but most will have XMP profiles which are presets to run at higher speeds. If you want to go beyond the XMP profile speed though, when upping the speed you may need to loosen the timings and/or up the RAM voltage to keep it stable.

If I was you, if you're planning to overclock and don't feel 100% confident on it, perhaps the 5800K would be best to go since it has an unlocked multiplier, overclocking via the multiplier instead of the FSB will mean the only thing you have to worry about is the CPU stability, since overclocking the FSB will affect other things in the system as well.

i dont plan oc the cpu, im really only looking at upping the ram as thought it was easy.
so if i buy ram at 2133mhz will it run at this?

Orcvader · 1 Jan 2013 at 21:59

kitdax said:
i dont plan oc the cpu, im really only looking at upping the ram as thought it was easy.
so if i buy ram at 2133mhz will it run at this?

Yes, there will be an XMP profile for the 2133mhz speed which all you need to do is enable in BIOS. That speed should help a lot with the A10's inbuilt GPU

.

jaybee · 1 Jan 2013 at 22:15

Overclocking RAM is not so popular as the performance benefits are minimal, especially with modern Intel system architecture. Tightening timings and running RAM at slightly higher bus speeds gives slight performance advantages, only in some very specific situations. It's also quite time consuming to test and get right. It is more likely to shorten the life of RAM modules than overclocking a CPU typically in mine and others experience. I can't really recommend it.

kitdax · 1 Jan 2013 at 22:29

Orcvader said:
Yes, there will be an XMP profile for the 2133mhz speed which all you need to do is enable in BIOS. That speed should help a lot with the A10's inbuilt GPU .

ive just read that XMP profiles are just for intel set ups, is that true? i think i am going for an a10 5700

Orcvader · 1 Jan 2013 at 23:04

kitdax said:
ive just read that XMP profiles are just for intel set ups, is that true? i think i am going for an a10 5700

I believe most AMD boards can use these XMP profiles with no problems. If not, then just set the speeds and timings manually.

Devrij · 2 Jan 2013 at 08:51

jaybee said:
Overclocking RAM is not so popular as the performance benefits are minimal, especially with modern Intel system architecture. Tightening timings and running RAM at slightly higher bus speeds gives slight performance advantages, only in some very specific situations. It's also quite time consuming to test and get right. It is more likely to shorten the life of RAM modules than overclocking a CPU typically in mine and others experience. I can't really recommend it.

I agree with this ^^. RAM speed is pretty inconsequential when compared to CPU clockspeed. I would actually say that RAM overclocking is more difficult and poses more risks to the hardware. CPU overclocking is easy and yields much better results.

kitdax · 2 Jan 2013 at 13:54

Devrij said:
I agree with this ^^. RAM speed is pretty inconsequential when compared to CPU clockspeed. I would actually say that RAM overclocking is more difficult and poses more risks to the hardware. CPU overclocking is easy and yields much better results.

So if I put in 2133 ram without doing anything will it only run at 1333

Orcvader · 2 Jan 2013 at 14:36

kitdax said:
So if I put in 2133 ram without doing anything will it only run at 1333

I believe the A10's memory controller is rated for up to 1866mhz, so that will be the default speed. If the RAM is rated for 2133mhz, then technically it wouldn't really count as overclocking the RAM, more like bringing it up to "stock" speeds

.

kitdax · 2 Jan 2013 at 15:33

Orcvader said:
I believe the A10's memory controller is rated for up to 1866mhz, so that will be the default speed. If the RAM is rated for 2133mhz, then technically it wouldn't really count as overclocking the RAM, more like bringing it up to "stock" speeds .

That's what I think I meant, how do I get up to running at 2133. I've read it the a10 prefers this speed or am I talk nonsense+

Devrij · 2 Jan 2013 at 16:22

Ah right, no that's pretty straightforwards. Download a program called cpu-z (it's free), and in the memory tab it'll show you the different profiles/timings for your ram at the speeds it can run at. Then you just go into the BIOS and set those manually by changing the DRAM divider or with some chipsets you just set the speed.

Orcvader · 2 Jan 2013 at 17:08

Assuming you're considering this board from your previous threads: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-427-GI

It supports XMP. So you don't even need to manually set the speeds and timings. Looking at the manual, on page 37 of the BIOS section, this setting can be found in the "Advanced Frequency Settings" of the BIOS. Enable the XMP profile and everything will be automatically set up for you. Best to use CPU-Z though just to check it's running at the right speed. A little note though, CPU-Z will display a lower RAM speed, since the RAM is DDR, you just double this figure to get the actual RAM speed (which should end up at around 2133mhz).

kitdax · 2 Jan 2013 at 18:53

Orcvader said:
Assuming you're considering this board from your previous threads: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-427-GI

It supports XMP. So you don't even need to manually set the speeds and timings. Looking at the manual, on page 37 of the BIOS section, this setting can be found in the "Advanced Frequency Settings" of the BIOS. Enable the XMP profile and everything will be automatically set up for you. Best to use CPU-Z though just to check it's running at the right speed. A little note though, CPU-Z will display a lower RAM speed, since the RAM is DDR, you just double this figure to get the actual RAM speed (which should end up at around 2133mhz).

I think i am buying that board that board cheers guys