PC2-6400 vs using dividers

FoxEye · 5 Dec 2006 at 16:31

By my maths, DDR2-400(800) will let me get up to 2.8Ghz (400x7) from a C2D E6300. DDR2-333(667) gives a modest OC to 2.3Ghz. This is running the memory at 1:1 with the FSB.

So why shouldn't I save myself a quid or two, get the PC2-5400 stuff (£30 less), run the memory on a divider, and still get 2.8Ghz out of the CPU? Will I just loose the performance from the faster memory, or am I going to bottleneck the CPU as well (effectively still only getting a 2.3Ghz OC).

Or will the CPU still benefit from the 2.3 - 2.8 extra OC, despite the RAM being clocked less?

*confused*

WJA96 · 5 Dec 2006 at 16:40

There is no problem with doing what you are proposing, but you need to select your motherboard carefully. The Gigabyte S, DS and DQ series do not let you pick a divider lower than 2:1 so you need PC2:6400 RAM to guarantee a 2.8GHz overclock. The Abit boards are a lot more forgiving though. Just be careful what board you choose.

If it was me, I'd spend the extra on the PC2:6400 and get the DS3 or DS4. That way you are practically guaranteed a good overclock.

snowdog · 5 Dec 2006 at 17:14

Any 975x mobo will allow that, 965 chipset doesnt allow lower dividers tho

pieman109 · 5 Dec 2006 at 23:37

This is the prob I've got, I cannot get my geil 6400 above 430mhz, and I've tried everything I know but it just ain't having it. I'd love a divider below x2 (1.7-1.8 would be nice) but there isn't the option in the DS3 bios to go lower than x2, so I'm stuck.
I'm pretty sure its the memory/mobo combo hats the prob, its like hitting a wall, I can do 425mhz but not 430mhz memory speed. I'm real tempted to try a new mobo or ocz memory to get round the prob. And I've read I'm not the only one with this prob.