performance loss from 2 to 4 modules

dUcKy · 1 Jul 2007 at 17:03

Hi guys, I have heard that there is a performance loss when going from 2 modules to 4 modules, overclocking especially.

What i would like to know is how noticable would this be? I am a novice-amateur clocker, still learning the 'other' memory timings. Essentially, for example, using 2 sets of this : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-082-OC

would it affect my overclock on a q6600 terribly? ( using either a DS3 or an eVGA680i )

Cob · 1 Jul 2007 at 18:12

Nope it won't affect your Q6600 overclock, tho you may want to look at one of the P35-DS3's rather than a P965 DS3 for Quad overclocking.

The only performance loss between 2 sticks and 4 sticks is that you'll probably have to loosen the timings slightly. But that's not a noticeable difference.

dUcKy · 2 Jul 2007 at 00:01

Yeah meant a P35, wrong link!

Thanks for your info mate!

EDIT: I see you have pretty much a similar system to what I'm aiming for, what sort of speeds have you reached on your q6600?

What RAM are u using? I'm thinking of going for the SLI ready OCZ 8500 - its on special; getting 4 gigs.

Also perhaps a 680i mobo...

any thoughts?

Cob · 2 Jul 2007 at 16:45

My Q6600 does 3.5ghz at 1.525v, but the load temps are crazy (~80c when running Orthos under water!). Quite a bit lower in normal day to day load tho.

It's currently running at 3.33ghz (416x8) as it's Folding 24/7 and it's summer.

I've the OcUK PC8500 memory. Does what I need it to (currently 1040mhz @2.1v).

Whilst the EVGA 680i board is very good, I would stick to a P35 board if you aren't going to be running two graphics cards in SLi. Maybe spend the difference on the PC8500 Crucial Ballistix.

dUcKy · 3 Jul 2007 at 15:13

And on water cooling

speaking of which, for a processor only cooling setup, would a singe 120" radiator be enough to cool the q6600?

If your not sure, what is your current radiator.

melbourne720 · 3 Jul 2007 at 15:39

I found that OCZ SLi memory was messing with my overclock (I returned it), I'd stick with the bargain 8500 stuff that Cob has.

Cob · 3 Jul 2007 at 17:00

dUcKy said:
And on water cooling speaking of which, for a processor only cooling setup, would a singe 120" radiator be enough to cool the q6600?

If your not sure, what is your current radiator.

I'd go for a 120.2 rad if possible. I've a pretty average Alphacool NexXxoS Xtreme II in mine and it just about copes with the Q6600 and my northbridge at load.

Type_R · 3 Jul 2007 at 20:41

Ive just installed 2x1gb Crucial Ballistix 8500 to my already 2x1gb OCZ reaper 9200. Previously the reaper was running 5-5-5-10@1150 2.2V orthos stable. Before putting all 4 together the Crucial managed the same no probs. Now with all 4 on board I cant even manage 5-5-5-18@1150 2.2V.

Its on an Asus P5k Del btw. Any ideas?

Cob · 3 Jul 2007 at 20:46

Give it a touch more vdimm.

Type_R · 3 Jul 2007 at 22:32

Cob said:
Give it a touch more vdimm.

Tried up to 2.35V, no go. Have dropped it down to DDR-960 mhz with 4-4-4-8 timings @ 2.2V and orthos is stable. Sandra benchmarks have only dropped from 8500 mb/s to 8250 mb/s. Still was expecting more

Cob · 3 Jul 2007 at 22:38

The P35 boards should be capable of better than that.

melbourne720 · 4 Jul 2007 at 11:58

You often get problems when mixing RAM though...

Deluxe1 · 4 Jul 2007 at 12:02

i went from 2 x 1gb to 4 x 1gb sticks and i never got a performance loss with my overclock.

Chronictank · 4 Jul 2007 at 12:27

If you mix the sticks you will probably get a loss, if you use the same make/model it will be very negligible.

(Based on testings Geil 6400 (see sig) and OCZ 6400's)