RAM OC'ing question

Makunouchi · 6 Feb 2008 at 17:40

Hey guys/gals,

I currently have this RAM: GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C5 800MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400DC) https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-064-GL

on this mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-088-GI

Basically ive only recently got into the whole OC'ing thing, ive managed to get my E6600 2.4 Conroe to 3GHz stable, but when i moved onto RAM i kind of hit a wall. I understand the theory of what im doing, but i dont seem to be able to change the latencies or voltage without Windows hanging up and then my system refusing to POST untill the mobo auto-resets to default settings.

Ive tried all sorts of latency/volt combinations, i assumed from reading these boards that something like 4-4-4-16 would be fine on it (standard is 5-5-5-18) with a +0.3 volt on it (standard 1.8v), but i cant get it to stick.

Right, onto the second question. I recently bought some new RAM: OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz ReaperX DDR2 https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-105-OC leaving out the fact that i might not be able to get that RAM to fit alongside my existing RAM cos of the size of the heatsinks, is it worth trying to run them together to have 6GB total, or is it going to be more beneficial to replace the old RAM with the new? Will the new RAM be 'held back' as it were by the old? Im assuming the advice ill hopefully get here will translate to the new RAM as well?

Thanks in advance!

Makunouchi · 6 Feb 2008 at 19:22

Windows XP.

"swap the ram" was that in answer to my question about wether its better to run both RAMs together or 1 set only?

Thanks for the reply.

Makunouchi · 7 Feb 2008 at 14:33

Well i did like you suggested Nickq (i actually tried to fit all 4 sticks but the jacket things on the OCZ's make it impossible), and i still cant seem to change the RAM latencies and get it to POST. The new ram is at 800 5-5-5-18, +0.3v.

What other info can i give you that will help?

Makunouchi · 7 Feb 2008 at 15:07

Hmm ive just noticed cpu-z saying the DRAM frequency is at 525Mhz, but im pretty sure it says 800 in BIOS...

cpu-z also says the FSB

RAM ratio is 2:3

Im not sure how to change these things however.

Makunouchi · 7 Feb 2008 at 22:01

Ignore that core speed, its wrong. Should be 3.2GHz

Im pretty sure those voltages arent right for the RAM either, they should be at 2.1v atm i think.

I can take a screenshot of Slot2 as well if you need.

Makunouchi · 7 Feb 2008 at 23:17

Yeah, i said ignore the core speed but i forgot to say ignore the multiplier also

It just looks like that due to speedstep, it goes to the right multiplier and core speed once it gets a load on it.

Makunouchi · 8 Feb 2008 at 00:03

Arent higher speeds good? Ive clearly missed something here. I dropped it down to 2.1, same speed till i do a bit more reading up. (fixed the speedstep too)

Makunouchi · 8 Feb 2008 at 11:28

Hmm, im unclear about this, is this RAM now running faster/better than it was in my previous screenshot?

Makunouchi · 8 Feb 2008 at 12:33

While running Prime with the above settings, i got back an error saying the following:

FATAL ERROR: Rounding was 0.5, expected less than 0.4

How serious is that? seeing as how my system is running totally fine?

Makunouchi · 9 Feb 2008 at 13:07

Thanks for the reply. Between the time i posted and you answered i'd actually spent a lot of time reading and had pretty much figured out what was going on.

Im using their recommended latencies now, its running pretty well.