Does cheap RAM affect CPU Overclock?

Y

yahkouh

n00b
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
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Hey guys, I'm new to overclocking and have a question. I already purchased 2x1gb OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 RAM which has 5-5-5-15 timings and required voltage of 2.1V. I also just purchased a Q6600 (hopefully G0 stepping) and I plan on overclocking it. My question is, does crappy RAM lower the overclocking potential of your CPU? Or is the overclock of the CPU independent of RAM? I'm planning on keeping my RAM at stock speed and timings, but I do want to get my Q6600 to at least 3.2ghz. I am planning to buy a Tuniq Tower, but if my RAM is going to hinder my OC, I may just stick with the stock HS. Thanks in advance. :D
 
your ram should let reach 3.2 fairly easy. As far as I know with cheaper ram it hits a wall before you can max out your cpu, so cheap ram would effect certian OC's, but I think you'll get 3.2 fairly easy. So long as that ram can get you to 950mhz or so.
 
f1y said:
your ram should let reach 3.2 fairly easy. As far as I know with cheaper ram it hits a wall before you can max out your cpu, so cheap ram would effect certian OC's, but I think you'll get 3.2 fairly easy. So long as that ram can get you to 950mhz or so.
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coolxboxgamer said:
thatl work just fine for hitting anything upto about 3.4ghz
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Both of you need to check your math. Q6600 has a 9x multiplier, and the RAM is 100% guaranteed to run up to 400MHz 1:1. That means 9x400=3.6GHz is possible, IF your CPU can get that high. Long story short, your CPU will max out long before your RAM.

It would be a different story with a lower multiplier, like with an e2140, e6300/6320 or e6400/6420.
 
Not so with the E6400/E6420 with the 8x multiplier, he'd be maxed out at 3.2 ghz. Regardless, it takes mean cooling to get > 3.0 on the quad core chips...
 
Thanks alot guys, I'm learning more and more everyday thanks to this forum. Wish me luck, I'm goin for 3.6 ;)
 
Good f'ing luck, sorry to burst your bubble but,

Unless you got a g0 stepping and are on a VERY nice cooling setup, i HIGHLY doubt you will hit 3.6 or higher.

A more reasonable goal would be 3.2-3.4 or even 3.0-3.1
 
Guys I'm in that situation 2. Except my story is kind of different. I just ordered and have received 2 GIGS Of Crucial Ballistic DDR 800 mhz 44412. I have the Tuniq Tower, ga-p35-ds3r, q6600, antec p180b. I want to OC to 3ghz, I don't want to push it that much further. This will be my first time OCing. So i assume 3 ghz is fairly reasonable with my setup. But I also have a cheap 1 GIGABYTE (2 month old ram) in my Old computer, pc2 5300 ddr2 KINGSTON KVR667D2N5 667 mhz ( 2 sticks of ) 512 mb ram. Should I put this ram in and have a total of 3 gigs of ram. Or should I just leave my cheap Kingston out, and stick with my 2 gigs of ballistix.
 
Depends on your chipset as well- some chipsets allow you to run your RAM asynchronously to your CPU (ie the nForce 680 or 650) so it doesn't affect your OC potential at all in those cases.
 
mavalpha said:
Both of you need to check your math. Q6600 has a 9x multiplier, and the RAM is 100% guaranteed to run up to 400MHz 1:1. That means 9x400=3.6GHz is possible, IF your CPU can get that high. Long story short, your CPU will max out long before your RAM.

It would be a different story with a lower multiplier, like with an e2140, e6300/6320 or e6400/6420.
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I've taken the 6300 to 400+ FSB with that RAM and it was rock stable.

Just to let everyone here know this RAM used to retail for $250 abt 6 months ago so its not exactly cheap and crappy.
 
Gamez said:
Guys I'm in that situation 2. Except my story is kind of different. I just ordered and have received 2 GIGS Of Crucial Ballistic DDR 800 mhz 44412. I have the Tuniq Tower, ga-p35-ds3r, q6600, antec p180b. I want to OC to 3ghz, I don't want to push it that much further. This will be my first time OCing. So i assume 3 ghz is fairly reasonable with my setup. But I also have a cheap 1 GIGABYTE (2 month old ram) in my Old computer, pc2 5300 ddr2 KINGSTON KVR667D2N5 667 mhz ( 2 sticks of ) 512 mb ram. Should I put this ram in and have a total of 3 gigs of ram. Or should I just leave my cheap Kingston out, and stick with my 2 gigs of ballistix.
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Leave the kingston out. That Ballistix will do just fine. Don't mix up your ram especially when o'clocking.
 
Any PC6400 memory will take you to 3.6GHz.

Buy the cheapest DDR2-800 RAM you can find and call it a day.
 
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