Overclocking with 12gb ram?

Anaardvark · 14 Apr 2010 at 01:40

Ok I'm a little confused.

I'm looking at buying a new pc so was looking at Ocuk's overclocked bundles, however they all feature 6gb ram but I'm thinking of getting 12gb so I was gonna just get the parts and overclock it myself.

Something on the website bothers me though....

"Note - Please note that adding in additional memory to the spare slots will require new BIOS settings and the maximum clock speed attainable may be significantly reduced."

Can anyone explain why this is. I'm a novice overclocker but I'm wanting to understand more.

cmndr_andi · 14 Apr 2010 at 01:47

A 6GB RAM setup uses 3x2GB - so 3 sticks of RAM are controlled by the memory controller.

A 12GB RAM setup uses 6x2GB - so 6 sticks of RAM controlled by the memory controller.

The inegrated memory controller is actually based on the CPU itself, and as more RAM sticks are being controlled - the more stress it is put under.

This means it is significantly harder to heavily overclock a 12GB system, compared to a 6GB system.

What will you be using the system for, out of interest? There are few applications that actually require more than 6GB RAM.

Anaardvark · 14 Apr 2010 at 02:31

I'm doing a 3D CAD: Modelling & Animation degree so it will be mostly for 3D rendering. Some gaming sure but the majority of it will be CAD, Photoshop, Post Production etc.

I'd rather take a higher CPU speed than amount of ram due to the majority of rendering being more CPU intensive.

Guess I'll stick with the 6gb then

Thanks for the advice!

mmj_uk · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:12

As mentioned more stress on the memory controller, if you're going for 12GB just avoid OCUK's bundles and DIY.

Got my i7 950 at 4.2 with 12GB and it's rock solid it just takes a little more tiem and effort to stabilize.

paulselhi · 14 Apr 2010 at 14:17

Ask Mash about this in the following post link,

He got 12 GB RAM to work on an overclocked I7 930 at 4.0 Ghz with ease

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=23&t=871473

MouthBoy · 14 Apr 2010 at 14:36

So you know, I am in my 2nd year of uni and I work with Maya and After Effects a lot and when rendering I have never had that much of an issue. I would personally use 6gb of RAM with a faster CPU over 12gb with a slower CPU. I use 4gb right now with a Q6600 and never ran into an issue and everything has rendered fine without taking ages.

Elric · 14 Apr 2010 at 14:54

I've found on two of my systems that overclocking with 12gb is no more problematic than doing it with 6gb. OcUK are just covering their posterior with regards to their pre-overclocked setups, Your milage may vary.

Azuse05 · 14 Apr 2010 at 14:58

mmj_uk said:
As mentioned more stress on the memory controller, if you're going for 12GB just avoid OCUK's bundles and DIY.
.

Cheaper sure, but give ocuk a call and you'll probably find quite willing to accommodate you

{SAS}TB · 14 Apr 2010 at 21:17

Ive had no issues with 12GB - runs rock solid 24/7 with 12GB @ 4.2 and benches at 4.6

Must try with just 6 some time

Psypher5 · 15 Apr 2010 at 12:00

you have to ask though

are you going to push 6gb, let alone 12?

{SAS}TB · 15 Apr 2010 at 12:32

TBH it just didnt look right with those empty slots

Skillmister · 15 Apr 2010 at 12:44

As you've stated 3d rendering is very CPU intensive. I do a lot of 3d modelling and even using 3d shaders, max, photoshop, game engine and more highest ive used is 4.8gb of ram out of my 6.

Psypher5 · 15 Apr 2010 at 13:16

As above. I'm yet to crash my pc with 6gig. Dreading going back to 4 though! Better start optimizing more

50 million polys in zbrush is fun!