What would be faster overall?

[imzjustplayin]

I'm starting to question whether or not my rig is limited to a 1:1 FSB of 257mhz (IC7-G w/2.8C) because the only way I can get it to 265 1:1 stable is to run my memory in single channel. I have to use just one module in order for this to work regardless of which module I use. (has 2X1GB kit) Would I be better of going on ebay and looking for a higher clocked processor and then clocking it past the speeds I currently have? I've seen some people get up to 4.2ghz, but this isn't going to be possible on air is it? But I'd have a lower FSB so would I benefit less in games by having the lower FSB but faster clock or would I benefit more simply because of the higher clock?

 

[frag85]

what are your memory specs? brand/rated speed/timings

sounds like you have to drop your divider down to 4/5 or 2/3.

my 2.4c hits a 305 fsb w/ a 2/3.

most of the time i run around a 292@ FSB cause then i can run my ram in 4/5 putting it at 467 mhz. i get better benchmakrs that way because if i increase the FSB by 1 more, i have to dro the ram divider to 2/3 which jumps me back down near 400mhz.

feels good to see people still running p4 C's!

 

[imzjustplayin]

what are your memory specs? brand/rated speed/timings

sounds like you have to drop your divider down to 4/5 or 2/3.

my 2.4c hits a 305 fsb w/ a 2/3.

most of the time i run around a 292@ FSB cause then i can run my ram in 4/5 putting it at 467 mhz. i get better benchmakrs that way because if i increase the FSB by 1 more, i have to dro the ram divider to 3/2 which jumps me back down near 400mhz.

feels good to see people still running p4 C's!

yeah, lol. So you've been running your memory faster than your FSB? I've had no luck using the NBstrap to make the memory run faster than the FSB when overclocking..

 

[frag85]

you can't overclock just your memory. you can kind of overclock just the memory with an engineering sample (unlocked CPU multiplier), but it is still based off the FSB. some AMD CPU's allow you to change the multiplier allowing you to max out your CPU and Ram, but only to the max rated speed for the CPU. ie. 5-12x, so my CPU if it was the same unlocked multi as AMD would make 1000-2400mhz the stock FSB.

i have PC3200, which is DDR400. its basically rated for 200mhz x 2 = 400 mhz. if you are running a 257mhz FSB then your ram will be running 514 mhz. 2 x 257mhz = 514mhz. i would guess you are running DDR 500??? try changing your ram divider/multiplyer to 4/3 in the bios. my asus board has the ram listed as 400mhz (1:1), 320mhz(4/5) and 266.7mhz(2/3). now, if you underclock you CPU, an option will appear to make your ram run at faster speeds, so if you havea 100 fsb, you can make your ram 400mhz or something, don't remember the exact numbers because i only underlcoked my CPU once for poo and giggles.

i have a spread sheet i made up a few years ago to calculate these ram frequencies, because its faster then trial and error once you know your ram's maximum stable speed speed, i highlighted my max FSB for each ram divider. i'll add in a set for your 2800mhz cpu since i'm in a good mood.

scan it if you'd like, its an excel file.
14x Multiplier ram divider spreadsheet

you can also up the voltage of you ram in the bios, but be carefull. i had done a volt mod on my ram and brout it up to something around 3.5v and it would not go over 467mhz no matter what i did to the timings, so its running tigher than stock timings at stock voltage at 467mhz.

make sure you use prime95 to test the stability. i get errors at anything over a 307 fsb, its hard to tell if its the CPU maxing out or the motherboard being fussy, most motherboards hate gong over a 300 fsb. i have since taken off my droop mod (because i ripped a wire out by accident) so my max fsb is currently 292mhz. i started prime and went off to work, figured if it errored, then my cpu would just idle, i was at 1.58 volt i think at the 305 fsb, i played a few games and ran some synthetic bench marks but wanted to prime it. i ended up getting sent to new jersey for work for a week, came back 6 days later and still priming! one thing that helps is having a good QUALITY power supply. i had an enlight 420, it was reguarded as good for overclockers, i think i paid $50 for it, which is a steal for the performance it gave me. since upgrading to an Enermax Liberty 550, my CPU and NorthBridge temps dropped a couple of degrees. some devices will actually produce more heat with dirty power.

there's tons of info on these old northwoods floating around, google around or search around these forums, but i've basically just summerized OC'ing above.

edit: another thing you want to do is lock your AGP/PCI frequencies. there will be an option somewhere, this will allow you to overlclock your FSB without OC'ing your AGP/PCI slots. you could even try to relax your ram timings, search around i'm sure there's plenty of threads about that also.

see my FSB in relation to my ram speed and divider? FSB vs DRam. multiply ram mhz by 2 to get the DDR frequency.

btw, what are your temperatures like? anything under 70*C is safe, i have thermal protection set to kick in at 60, which is the lowest my bios goes, but never let it go above about 50 to be extra safe.