RAM Frequency or Timings?

[OrbitzXT]

I admit I never really knew a ton about RAM. I just knew it was the thing that would either allow me to overclock more or would stop me from being able to, and that it should be stable to prevent BSOD's and other issues with stability. So I have 2 GB of 1066 MHZ RAM and am just looking to get my system to run at 7x400 for 2.8 GHz with the system in my specs. Which configuration gives the best performance?

A: Ram at stock settings, 1066 MHZ 5-5-5-15
B: Ram at 800 MHZ with tweaked timings whatever they can be lowered to
C: Ram at higher than 1066 MHZ with same or looser timings.

I read a rather detailed "bible" about RAM but it was lengthy and a bit confusing. If my FSB is at 400 MHz, does my RAM perform the same at 800 MHZ 5-5-5-15 vs 1066 5-5-5-15 or is the 1066 better?

[sneekypeet]

It is really close....there isnt a whole lot of difference test wise IMHO between 800MHz 4-4-4-12 or 1066 5-5-5-15.

[OrbitzXT]

I'm toying around with different settings to see what is stable and what isn't. I have my FSB at 444 MHZ and a 2.4 divider. So now my E6550 is running at 444x7 3108 MHZ, after about 15 minutes of Prime 95 so far the temp is capping at 59C, which I think is decent considering I'm using an acrylic case with fan filters and a Zalman 9700 not set to max RPMs. The memory tab in CPU-Z says my timings are 5-7-7-24 2T, thats the only thing that doesn't seem right to me. I should probably set the timings myself in the bios? What are the right ones, 5-5-5-15 1T or 2T?

[sneekypeet]

5-5-5-15 2t is best, find out where it stops OC'ing, then try to lower the latencies!

[VroomBang]

according to a few tests I did with Super Pi, I got better scores with higher FSB and loser timings than lower FSB and tighter timings. I've been told by a guy here from Mushkin Support that the reason is because Intel Cpus like higher bandwith and don't depend so much on latency.

[ntdouglas]

All you can do is change settings and bench. Just keep doing that and you will find the sweet spot.

[OrbitzXT]

I have it at 471x7 now for 3297 MHZ. Memory is running at 1130 MHZ 5-5-5-15, I've been using Super Pi as quick benches to see what performs best, so far this is the best I'm getting.