which mem speed to run at?

[Haste266]

Ok, I have Corsair 2x512 TwinX3200xl memory. My processor is a P4 3.4e which runs stable at 3.8ghz+ on air cooling. I'm using an Abit IS7-G motherboard. I have two options on how to overclock this processor with the memory I have and I wanted to get some opinions on which way to run it.

I can run it at 224mhz FSB(x17 multiplier) 1:1 ratio with timings at 2-3-2-5
According to Sisoft I get about 5400mb/sec bandwidth at this setting.

I can also run it at 272mhz FSB(x14 multiplier) 1:1 ratio with timings at 2.5-4-4-5.
According to Sisoft I get about 6400mb/sec bandwidth at this setting.
I haven't tried any lower timings at this setting yet as I haven't had time. But this system survived a 10 hour stress test at this setting with no hiccups.

I mostly play games and rip/record DVDs using DVDShrink.

I know the max bandwidth isn't going to effect system performace quite as much as faster timings. But 1gb/sec? How much of a difference is that going to make? Seems like that is a whole lot to me.

I was just curious as to which one would be better for what I do?

[(cf)Eclipse]

can you run 272 at 2.5-4-3?

[Haste266]

can you run 272 at 2.5-4-3?


I havent had a chance to try it yet but I certainly will when I get home from work today and post the results.

[Redbeard]

I havent had a chance to try it yet but I certainly will when I get home from work today and post the results.

Our 3200XLs do exceptionally well when overclocked if you lower the latencies.

They use the same ICs as our 4400C25 part, so it's possible that they'll hit 275 Mhz at 2.5-4-4-8, but of course we can't guarantee that on anything but the 4400C25.

The difference between 2.5-4-3-8 and 2.5-4-4-8 is almost non-existent performance wise but it might give you a few more mhz on the overclock on your CPU.

[scottatwittenberg]

generally with intel it is better to have a higher clock and higher timings.. people really only needed the low timings when running their a-xp mobiles at high fsb.. 6400mb/s vs 5400mb/s is over a 15% increase.. so i would say go with the 272

[Haste266]

well, im home now and am running 271 fsb with 2.5-3-3-5 timings.
according to everest i get 12 nanosecond better latency and whole lot better read/write scores.
i think im gonna stick with the 271 fsb for now. im just gonna have to do some stress testing to make sure its stable at those timings though.

thanks for your help.