Timings vs High FSB

[Josb]

Ok, for those of you that were bored and followed my previous posts of setting up my first system build, wound up with a 2.8c @ stock 800fsb and vcore with OCZ PC3500 ELDCK timings of 2-2-3-5-8 @ 2.75 vdimm.

Sandra score is 4500+. I thought I was happy, but now I'm eyeing all those higher Sandra scores you race kids are getting utilizing higher FSB and wondering if I should try going that route (with looser timings) instead on my set-up. (Ya, I know, been reading too much).

Here's the rub (I think). At the risk of sounding like some sort of Communist, I don't game.:blush:

But, do usually have browser, e-mail, IM, Excel, Word, Quick Books, stock trading, etc, software open (in some combination) at the same time.:o

So, at the risk of starting a lengthy debate, given that kind of PC usage, which direction am I better off going for best performance, low timings or higher FSB?:confused:

And if so, what kind of settings would probably work?

Hope I said all that right and thanks.

[eva2000]

several forums have debated the issue, and really it's up to you what you prefer and depends on your cpu, motherboard and bios as well the ram you have

i prefer 1:1 high fsb as it's alot easier to obtain what I'd deem memtest86 and windows error free stable overclocks with looser timings when you only have 2.7-2.85v to work with (only 2 or 3 boards have 2.85+ vdimm) as opposed to really aggressive 2-2-2-6 stuff in async mode, which from my testing of my memory errors out after 16-28+ hrs of memtesting (this was before all the new low latency memory came out though)

for you since you have a 2.8C probably high 1:1 like 233-250FSB would be ideal since async would have you memory underclocked

[Josb]

At what point do higher timings become counter-productive to any gain in higher FSB?

I was thinking not to go higher then 2-3-3-6-8 (?) then max out the FSB?

Any rough parameter for the components I have in anyone's experience?

Just trying to save myself the time of countless configurations and testing if someone can get me close.

Thanks.

[eva2000]

you really need to test it for yourself.

at 2-3-3-6/7 you best bet would be like OCZ PC3700 Gold with 2-3-3-7 timings at 233mhz so 2.8C@3240 which is what i had for testing as well at

http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php3?postid=3727#post3727

and

http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=357

of course scores would be different on your board etc

[Josb]

Hate to switch memory. Not exactly deep pockets here! Prices are pretty jacked up as you know.

Would those timings be best on my existing PC3500 (getting a lesser FSB potential then proposed PC3700)?

[eva2000]

Originally posted by Josb
Hate to switch memory. Not exactly deep pockets here! Prices are pretty jacked up as you know.

Would those timings be best on my existing PC3500 (getting a lesser FSB potential then proposed PC3700)? not sure what you're asking ? you mean if you loosen your timings on your existing memory to increase the overclocked speed would you get close to PC3700 at same timings and 233mhz ?

[Josb]

Well, close.

What I'm asking is if I want to maximize the FSB, using my existing PC3500 (as described) what are the tightest timings I'm likely to get away with based on anyones knowledge/experience of my existing MB and RAM

I'm was simply guessing/estimating 2-3-3-6 ? But was hoping someone else had already figured it out with a P4C800-ED and OCZ PC3500 ELDCK.

And they say something like "Look, I've run the same set up and the best you can get for FSB is 220 (or whatever) and that's with timings of 2-3-3-6" (or whatever not being looser then necessary).

This would save me the time in trying to narrow my configuration down.

Clear as mud?

Thanks


:-)

[ThugsRook]

its a tough call.....

400ddr running with "full throttle" options is as fast as "slowed" 520+ddr.
thats a very large spread just to make up what you lost by OCing.

honestly, youll need to run your own tests to find whats best for you.

cas 2336 aint gonna get you very far.
...and if you go too far you need to enable 5:4 async, and again youll need to test it for performance.

this is not a cut and dry topic.

HTH :wave:

[Josb]

OK, then I'll do this.

Set the timings to SPD (2-3-3-7) and keep raising the FSB until it crashes, then back off a bit.

Then, try lowering the timings until it crashes again, then back off those a bit.

Will use 2.75 vdimm and stock vcore.

Should I lock the PCI/AGP to 33/66 first? (Think I said that right)

Make as much sense as any approach?

[ThugsRook]

yep, thats basically how its done.

66/33 is correct.
if you want to OC agp ~ do it later ;)