Which RAM for a spot of overclocking?

[jamesgoss]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a set of 2x2GB sticks of RAM for my PC and was wondering which set to go for?

My P5N-E sli is rated for 800MHz, so that was what I was mainly looking at (stuff running at 4-4-4-12). But would 1066MHz RAM be a better idea, even though the timings would be more loose?

I currently have 2x1GB Corsair 6400 C4, but when I try to overclock them to 850MHz, I get a hardware error beep on POST (to be fair I haven't tried smaller increments from lack of time/patience, so maybe not a great indicator of OC potential?)

Thanks in advance

James

 

[hawker1986]

TBH your current RAM should clock beyond 850 I would think. Have you loosened off the timings to something like 5-5-5-18? If not that should help you some. And 800Mhz is enough to get your FSB to 400 if your running it 1:1, 1066mhz RAM is only needed for some very extreme clocks.

Hawker

 

[jamesgoss]

Cheers Hawker.

I can't run 4x1GB sticks on my mobo at 800MHz, it freaks out and freezes, it's a known issue, so that's why I was looking at 2x2GB sticks. Haven't tried the looser timings thought, that could be something to try tomorrow actually...

I was looking at these 3 sets from the advice you gave to stick with 800MHz:

Kingston: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-038-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

Corsair: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-136-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

OCZ: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-156-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

Which of these come recommended? Do timings on the RAM matter that much?

 

[johnerz]

OCz
then Corsair
then bang your head against a wall if you put kingston (any type) in your mind again, but never in yor pc, imho of course based on bitter experience og minimal support and based against ocz its rubbish

 

[Rroff]

Forget overclocking... just grab a set of the 1150Mhz OCZ Blade LV and be done

Overclocking RAM rarely has any noticeable realworld benefits unless you can get monster clocks and usually ends up with a darmatic shortening of the RAM lifespan if you bump the voltage much.