stupid question?

[nicnac1]

I recently bought this RAM and have it running on 2.2V at 5-5-5-15 according to my motherboard. The spec says it should run at 1066MHz on 2.2V however when i use 3DMark to view my system info, it says the RAM is only running at 667MHz.

Am I missing something?

 

[Plec]

Ignore 3DMark.

The Kingston will default to 800mhz settings by default - but you've stated that you have changed the timings and voltage. Did you change the memory frequency too? (is your system clocked?)

If you have done the above use latest CPU-z to check your memory settings in the OS.

Additional: Could you list your CPU and MB?

 

[nicnac1]

This is what CPU-Z is showing

My system is overclocked to OCUK instructions as it came in a bundle.

It's a Q6600 @ 3.31 and an Abit IP35 pro MB.

 

[Plec]

Your memory is running at 920MHz (460 x 2) and is governed by your overclock (multiplier x FSB) via the memory divider.

I have mine running at ~970MHz due to similar reasons.

 

[nicnac1]

brilliant, so it's running ok then?

 

[Plec]

Yep, absolutely fine.

You wont miss 146MHz - but if you wanted to get closer to 1066MHz you would have to play with your clock settings - the multiplier/FSB and the memory divider. But i would leave well alone if your system is running ok - as there would be very little gain to be had and a risk of destabalizing a solid clock.

 

[nicnac1]

great, thanks!
never really played with RAM settings until now so wasn't sure what i was getting lol!
Thanks for your help

 

[JonJ678]

You can probably drop the voltage and keep it stable since its running slower than stock. I'd do this personally, 2.2V through DDR2 feels like pushing ones luck

 

[coupe69]

You can probably drop the voltage and keep it stable since its running slower than stock. I'd do this personally, 2.2V through DDR2 feels like pushing ones luck

Yes I agree with this 2.2 volts will kill your ram a lot quicker, you'd probably get away with 1.9-2.0 volts tbh.

 

[Plec]

You can probably drop the voltage and keep it stable since its running slower than stock. I'd do this personally, 2.2V through DDR2 feels like pushing ones luck

Unfortunately, it's the one downside to the Kingston DDR2 memory (stock 2.2v @ 1066) - i can run mine at ~2.0v (can't rem) - but i'm only slightly under stock.

I found that it was the timings that required the extra voltage but i seem to have found the balance and have it running at 5 5 5 15 at ~1.9/2.0v

It's worth trying JonJ's suggestion - if you can get it stable on lower voltages it's always a bonus. Run memtest and prime95 with your new voltages to make sure it's stable.

 

[Big.Wayne]

ABIT IP35 Pro

• Support Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme/Duo/Quad processors with 1333/1066/800MHz FSB
• 4 X 240-pin DIMM sockets support max. memory capacity 8GB
• Supports Dual channel DDR2 1066/800/667 Un-buffered Non-ECC memory

brilliant, so it's running ok then?

There is scope for improvement!

At the moment your running your Q6600 at (368x9) 3312MHz which is throwing your memory out. The Official memory speeds (DDR2-800, DDR2-1066 etc) are based on the assumption your running a 266MHz-FSB, 333MHz-FSB, 400MHz-FSB etc so your kinda in the middle!

There should be correct memory dividers for DDR2-1066 when your running 266MHz-FSB, 333MHz-FSB, 400MHz-FSB, heres a handy chart that may help . . .

If you reset your system back to stock (9x266/2.4GHz) you should be able to set-up the memory at DDR2-1066 (1:2) for testing purposes, work out how much vDimm it needs etc. Then you can try (9x333/3.0GHz) with the memory again at DDR2-1066 (5:8).

I think the best set-up you could achieve with your kit would be (9x400/3.6GHz) with DDR2-1066 (3:4) that would be very sweet . . . CPU and motherboard would need to be up for the job!

Lastly, I am using the same memory as yourself, bought 8GB (4x2GB) last week from marscay and popped it into an ASUS P5Q-E (Intel P45) and did some testing (separate sticks and all together), was please to see that the memory only needed minimal 1.80vDimm to operate at full speed (DDR2-1066)

12 Hour Prime Blend 64-bit

 

[Plec]

Hehe – hello again, Big.Wayne

I considered the above (although, not in quite so much impressive detail) but resisted the urge purely because of the following:

My system is overclocked to OCUK instructions as it came in a bundle..

However, i agree in principle, especially if the OP is up for the challenge – and as you’ve pointed out the CPU and MB may be capable of hitting 3.6GHz.

I think the best set-up you could achieve with your kit would be (9x400/3.6GHz) with DDR2-1066 (3:4) that would be very sweet . . . CPU and motherboard would need to be up for the job!

This would seem the ideal solution but it’s nearly 0.3GHz over his present clock and, as you’re well aware, may require a significant voltage increase as, at 3.31GHz, i suspect/guess his system may be right on the cusp of a big voltage increase – maybe... (your educated guess will be more accurate than mine.)

With all that said, i’m more than happy to keep tabs on this thread and help you try and guide nicnac to achieve a more impressive clock/1066MHz.

So, over to you nicnac – what is your present vCore value and do you fancy the challange?

You’re in capable hands with Big.Wayne as he’s tested most MB flavours, where as the rest of us work from basic principles from our past and present systems and copious amounts of reading.

 

[nicnac1]

Thank you both!
Definitely up for a challenge As i'm sure you've gathered i'm not the most educated of overclockers so would really appreciate the help, but am i'm likely to see any gains? Is it worth it for the extra 0.3Ghz and 1066MHz??
If so, game on!

 

[Plec]

but am i'm likely to see any gains? Is it worth it for the extra 0.3Ghz and 1066MHz??

That's debatable and largely dependent on what you use your system for – but the reality is that, no, there wouldn’t be any real significant gain.

That said, the knowledge and experience you would gain tinkering with the BIOS, even if we were to fail, would be invaluable as you would have a much greater understanding of how your system works. This would aid you with future systems/trouble shooting and perhaps give you the confidence to consider building your own system – which, obviously, would save you money.

If we were unable to get you to 3.6 i suspect we could get a few more MHz out of the CPU. BigWayne suggested 3.6 (400x9) with a 4:3 divider as it would enable you to use the full capacity of your memory - it's a sensible and achievable suggestion.

I vote go for it - but as BigWayne took the effort to give such a comprehensive reply i’ll let him have the honours of posting the opening settings (although, they’re there for you to try – it’s just the finer details of voltages and what to do if it fails etc that’s missing. But, i suspect he will approach this incrementally - in which case he wont try for 3.6 straight away but work towards it gradualy as this is best practice).

Plus, if it succeeds you’ll have a very satisfying feeling that you’re getting the optimum value from your system – always good.

So, over to BigWayne - i'll only chip in if your stuck and BigWayne isn't around to help (after his initial post.) - as having too many opinions can confuse the issue.

Good luck (if you decide to go for it - there isn't any risk in the attempt and we can get you back to 3.31 if you decide it's not for you)

 

[nicnac1]

Sounds great

Definitely keen to get to know my system and, like you say, OC my own systems in future. Got the CPU/MB/RAM as a bundle from OCUK with instructions how to successfully OC so never really learnt how to do it, just plugged their numbers in.

Am i ok to do this on air? currently using a tuniq tower which keeps the CPU at about 60C under load on 50% fan.

I mainly use the system for flight simulator (which i know is very CPU dependent) plus the odd fps.

I'm looking forward to see what else we can get out of it

 

[Big.Wayne]

resisted the urge purely because of the following

My system is overclocked to OCUK instructions as it came in a bundle

Hehe I thought the same thing!

I'm trying to turn a new leaf in life where I can express myself without criticizing others so I can't really share my feelings on "overclocked to OCUK instructions"

I think nicnac1 could learn a bit and have some fun tweaking his system, there are not many obstacles in his way . . .

• Can the Q6600 maintain a stable frequency of 3600MHz?
• Can the Q6600 run ok with a fast FSB?
• Can the ABIT IP35-Pro maintain a stable Northbridge of 400-FSB
• Can the Cooler keep the chip cool enough
• Is the PSU stable enough to deliver the power without spazzing

As i'm sure you've gathered i'm not the most educated of overclockers so would really appreciate the help

I picked up on your thread title "stupid question"

This tells me you want to know something technical but feel you are surrounded by technical gurus that will mock you for your apparent lack of knowledge . . . . not good!

If you want to learn you have to ask questions and hopefully other peeps who share the same hobby will help you out without making you feel small, we all started somewhere you know!

As you got DDR2-1066 ram I think you should get it running at its rated speed. a lot of folks push for big CPU GHz and maybe getting an increased FSB leaving memory to fall where it will. I think big CPU GHz is important but I also pay attention to FSB and Memory frequency and believe the ultimate system is found with a *balance* of all the above (CPU/FSB/Mem).

If you wanna start then reset your system back to stock (LOAD BIOS Defaults) and the see if you can get your ram set at DDR2-1066 and use your PC for an hour or two. Even with the CPU at stock 2.4GHz running on a 266MHz-FSB (1066MHz-System Bus) the system will most likely feel faster, more snappy and responsive with the Ram set to DDR2-1066, if you don't believe me then try it for yourself!

Once you sussed out how to get 2.4GHz/1066MHzSystem-Bus/DDR2-1066 your ready for the next step!

 

[Big.Wayne]

the knowledge and experience you would gain tinkering with the BIOS, even if we were to fail, would be invaluable as you would have a much greater understanding of how your system works

Heh quoted for truth!

I think its great when one has the *moment* when a bunch of complicated mumbo jumbo suddenly makes sense and its something you can act on!

I feel bad that after three years people on OcUK forums still have to ask these starter questions . . .there should be a complete walk-thru posted up in stage by stage moves that takes a keen nOOby right through the various steps, I supect this doesn't exist because its a lot of work and perhaps no one understands all the stages!

A Q6600 is one of the immortal OcUK chips of choice, how many threads do you think have been created asking for Q6600 overclocking help!

Thanks for your kind words Plec, far to kind so enough of that biggin up please . . . we are all the same! I also didn't mean to but in when you where trying to help someone, I see you help a lot of people which is rare on the forums (ala Cob, WJA96 etc) so I'm keen to share my research with you in case it helps clear up any grey areas you may have, hopefully pick up a few insights myself along the way!

 

[nicnac1]

Heh quoted for truth!

there should be a complete walk-thru posted up in stage by stage moves that takes a keen nOOby right through the various steps,

i would certainly have taken advantage of that! I hope one day i'll be in your position helping the noobies

right, i've got the RAM running at 1088 on 1.9V

you're right, certainly seems a lot snappier with the faster RAM even with a lower clock! not tried gaming though

 

[nicnac1]

Hehe I thought the same thing!
Once you sussed out how to get 2.4GHz/1066MHzSystem-Bus/DDR2-1066 your ready for the next step!

Been running fine today at 1066 and stock cpu speed. ready to start pushing it
what next?

 

[Big.Wayne]

Hi nicnac1,

I saw in the screenie above you were overclocking the memory, I was expecting to see approx 533MHz (1:2), Is the FSB 266MHz in that shot or 272MHz

Ok next step, go into BIOS and find the CPU page that shows options like Intel Speedstep, C1E, Execute Disable Bit and disable everything apart from Intel Vanderpool (Virtualisation). Disabling these advanced CPU features is a temporary adjustment while you are doing your basic overclocking tests, at the end of the process we can switch them back on again!

So with all those options disabled boot back into Windows and open CPU-z and confirm that the CPU frequency is fairly static (i.e doesn't jump up and down a few hundred MHz when the CPU is idle), also observe the vCore that is being displayed and make a note of what it is (both when idle and when CPU is loaded), also make a note of what idle and load temps are using Coretemp and Prime Small FFTs test/LinX/IBT

With the chip at stock 2.4GHz (9x266) go into BIOS and change the CPU multi from [x9] to [x6], all voltage settings should be on [auto] at this point, save & exit and boot back into Windows at 1.6GHz (6x266) and run a few tests/games etc for 30mins-1 hour. Your memory should still be running at approx DDR2-1066. What you have done by lowering the CPU multi is obviously reduced the processor frequency but thats not the reason we are doing it, by selecting the [x6] multi you will actually be overclocking your Northbridge Chip from 266MHz to 400MHz, this will be almost the same as actually selecting a 400MHz-FSB which most likely will be stable but 5% chance you may crash n burn!

If that passes fine then back into BIOS, change the CPU multi from [x6] to [x9] and then change the DDR2 frequency from [DDR2-1066] to [Auto] then Save & Exit . . . . .back into BIOS and change your FSB from [266MHz] to [333MHz] then save & exit . . . .back into BIOS again and change the DDR2 frequency from [Auto] to [DDR2-1066] then save & exit and load up Windows.

Once in Windows open up CPU-z and check the CPU is running approx 3GHz (9x333), observe what the vCore is, open Coretemp and then run Prime95 Small FFTs and see what the load temps are like after 15 mins, also observe if the voltage changes much when going from idle/load!

Run a 3.0GHz Quad Core on a 333MHz-FSB/1333MHz System Bus with the Memory at DDR2-1066 through a few games, diagnostics etc and come back when your done!