Is OCing RAM worth it?

[p0intblank]

My friend and I got into this arguement about whether or not OCing RAM can make a noticeable difference. I said you can make a difference, but it would be very hard to physically notice it and that it's not even worth OCing it. Now with a CPU or GPU, that's different. I have every reason to OC those, as noticeable changes will take effect.

Also, while we are on the topic, does OCing your RAM have anything to do with a clicking hard drive? Just wondering from my friend's past experience.

Thanks in advance!

 

[theseeker]

Read this http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=795444
Yes it is worth it.

 

[Anime_Fan]

I would definately say OCing your ram is worth it but I dont think it has anything to do with your clicking HD

 

[kirbyrj]

If you're talking A64, overclocking your RAM is not as big an issue as raw clock speed. For example, running 2.4Ghz with RAM on a dividider so your RAM runs 200mhz will still beat a A64 running 2.2Ghz with your RAM at 220mhz.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=888001

That guide by Eclipse is good too (AMD Processors part of the forum).

 

[J-Mag]

If you're talking A64, overclocking your RAM is not as big an issue as raw clock speed. For example, running 2.4Ghz with RAM on a dividider so your RAM runs 200mhz will still beat a A64 running 2.2Ghz with your RAM at 220mhz.

Exactly, but if you are playing any modern game at 1280 res or above with the 6800 or 7800 series it really wont make a difference what CPU and what memory speeds you are running:

Example:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/athlon_64_geforce_7800_gtx_scaling/page14.asp

 

[MrGuvernment]

Sinc when can you ONLY overclock your ram - you O/C your ram when you O/C your FSB and CPU.

and YES - it can make a difference.

 

[p0intblank]

Thanks, guys. I learned some new things from that guide and your comments. And it wasn't my hard drive, it was my friend's... but that's a whole other story.

 

[ryuji]

ram speed makes a huge difference for video cards, many cores are starved for memory bandwith and giving them more memory mhz often times is better then core speed, but its a balance that needs to be found as others have said,
memory vs core speed is always wierd in the aspect that ocing any core cpu or gpu can actualy make it so your memory wont oc as much

 

[Mr. K6]

Well, o/cing any thing makes a difference. Higher RAM speeds defitely load games faster and the system feels "snappier," (word choice?). That said, on an A64 the CPU's clock means much more than the extra memory bandwidth (because the memory controller is on die).

 

[FadedSpark]

im gonna have to disagree... ive run everest memory benchies at 200mhz 2-3-3-6 and 166 2-2-2-5 with my memory and on all of the benchies, the 166 had higher bandwidth AND better latency... speed isnt everything on an A64..

 

[ChingChang]

I always thought it was best for AMD processors to keep the speed of the ram the same as the FSB.

 

[Mr. K6]

im gonna have to disagree... ive run everest memory benchies at 200mhz 2-3-3-6 and 166 2-2-2-5 with my memory and on all of the benchies, the 166 had higher bandwidth AND better latency... speed isnt everything on an A64..

That's because you used a better latency and the CPU clock was the same, something would be wrong if the latency was higher Also, the latency drop might be enough to compensate for the speed loss. Anyway, the point here is just increasing the RAM speed without changing anything else, obviously it'll perform faster, the degree depending on the application.

 

[kirbyrj]

I always thought it was best for AMD processors to keep the speed of the ram the same as the FSB.

On A64 boards, it doesn't matter. You won't lose much if anything running a divider/memory ratio

 

[ChingChang]

thanks for the info