overclocking fsb w/ memory

[ExcitedMoose]

First off here are the specs for my system.

amd athlon 3200+
asus k8v se deluxe
1gb corsair cmx1024-3200c2
geforce 6600gt

I was looking in to turning up the fsb speed above 200mhz, but whenever I do, my memory speed goes above 200mhz. My memory is only rated for ddr400 @ 200mhz. What can I do to let me turn the fsb up to like 210mhz without affecting the memory speed.

 

[astern]

If you have the option in your BIOS, you may have your RAM speed set to Auto instead of DDR400, which would keep it locked at 200mhz.

 

[z-zar]

your memory speed is directly linked to FSB, therefore, if you up the FSB you will up the memory speed.

Simplified, overclocking has three steps. Step 1 is to find the maximum CPU speed, step 2 is to find the maximum memory speed, and step 3 is to find the happy combination of settings that let you have both at the same time. Before you get started, lower your HTT multiplier by 1 or 2 steps (i.e. from 5x to 3x). Also, don't start with all this stuff if you don't know how to reset your CMOS in case your PC won't boot anymore. Check your motherboard manual. Finally, at all times, monitor your CPU temperature with a program such as speedfan. Preferably don't let it go above 55C so make sure you have adequate cooling. A stock heatsink is going to limit you somewhat in overclocking.

Step 1:
lower your memory divider to 1:2 (or in some bios, set memory speed to 100MHz down from 200, this has the same effect). Then up the FSB by 5MHz (or larger steps if you're in a hurry) or so at a time and run a CPU stress test program such as prime95 torture test (choose small or large FFT option) for 30 minutes or so. Keep going until prime fails with "fatal" errors, your windows freezes, or your PC reboots. Then write down the last FSB at which you didn't have problems and keep that as your maximum CPU FSB-speed.

Step 2:
Put FSB back to normal (200); lower the CPU multiplier by at least two full steps (i.e. from 10 to 8 or lower). Do not use the half steps (they work but not as you initially would expect). Put your memory divider back to 1:1 (or 200MHz) and now repeat the process of upping the FSB but instead now run a memory test such as memtest86 or prime95 "torture test blend" which tests lots of memory. Once you find the FSB frequency at which your memory starts failing, you have two options, of which the latter usually is preferred to get higher system speeds. The first option is to just stick with the last FSB that worked without problems and keep that as you max memory speed. The second option is to relax your memory timings, under RAM settings, if you know what you're doing. Then continue the process until you find the highest error free FSB for memory.

Step 3:
Set everything back to default except your relaxed memory timings. Now it's a matter of calculating which CPU multiplier to use with which FSB speed to get both higher CPU speed as well as higher memory speed. Ideally you want to get both as close as possible to what you measured independently before. Then you should run prime95 for at least 6 to 12 hours to make sure

For example, if you're default processor speed is 200x10=2GHz and you determine your max CPU FSB to be 220 (2.2GHz) and your max memory FSB 240 (probably with relaxed timings) then you could lower your CPU multiplier to 9 and set FSB to 240 to give you your maximum memory speed and close to maximum CPU speed of 240x9=2.16GHz

The above is your starting point for overclocking. Lots of additional work can be done by starting to play with CPU and memory voltages but you shouldn't start there unless you know what you're doing.

Hopefully, my comments won't get slaughtered by the real overclocking experts on this forum

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

Hopefully, my comments won't get slaughtered by the real overclocking experts on this forum

won't be from me, as what you have written up is very similar to the steps i have listed in my a64 oc'ing guide:
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1027479689&postcount=2