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AM3 CPU + 1600 MHz RAM = Uh oh..?

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I have a different CPU but may help a little anyway, I was playing around with CPU/NB and RAM for the whole day today. I concluded that overclocking CPU/NB gave "massive" gains. Even if you do run RAM at 1600MHz it does not give such a boost from 1333MHz as CPU/NB does from stock 2000 to 2600/2800MHz.
I'm currently running CPU at 3.5GHz ~1.27V (not much but it's hot here and I mostly do rendering all the time), CPU/NB 2800MHz at I think ~1.25V, RAM running 1333MHz 7-7-7-21 1.65V. I haven't done a lot of stability testing but it's stable rendering for 3 hours now, I'll run stability tests after I finish.

From my experience I see no point in ramping RAM freq. since the IMC on AMD is weak. That's why you see quite a big boost when overclocking the CPU/NB. Try 1333MHz with tight timings (try using 1T command rate, sometimes it can provide 4-5% boost but it's harder to get it stable at 1T) and ramp up CPU/NB as high as you can.
 

xsever

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I have a different CPU but may help a little anyway, I was playing around with CPU/NB and RAM for the whole day today. I concluded that overclocking CPU/NB gave "massive" gains. Even if you do run RAM at 1600MHz it does not give such a boost from 1333MHz as CPU/NB does from stock 2000 to 2600/2800MHz.
I'm currently running CPU at 3.5GHz ~1.27V (not much but it's hot here and I mostly do rendering all the time), CPU/NB 2800MHz at I think ~1.25V, RAM running 1333MHz 7-7-7-21 1.65V. I haven't done a lot of stability testing but it's stable rendering for 3 hours now, I'll run stability tests after I finish.

From my experience I see no point in ramping RAM freq. since the IMC on AMD is weak. That's why you see quite a big boost when overclocking the CPU/NB. Try 1333MHz with tight timings (try using 1T command rate, sometimes it can provide 4-5% boost but it's harder to get it stable at 1T) and ramp up CPU/NB as high as you can.

Thanks for all the information you provided. I will keep the thread updated with my tests.
 
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Don't know if it's any help to you since you have a different CPU and RAM but I ran AIDA64:

 
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Are you able to run a command rate of 1 with those sticks? You should be able to and it may help get you more performance.

I did try but not with these clocks, I ran 1T with RAM at 1333MHz 8-8-8-34 and CPU/NB at 2400MHz and I was stable.
I'll try to get it to 1T with the clocks I have now but I'm not sure if it will be stable since I'm running 4 sticks and it puts more strain on the IMC than just 2. I'll try that tomorrow, need some sleep now...2:30 AM -.-
 

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Here are my results:



1333 @ 7-7-7-21 and NB @2200



1600 @ 9-9-9-24 and NB @2200
 
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xsever

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Your NB is still at 2200mhz. :confused:

These are old tests. I just got back home and I am going to get started now. Going for 8-8-8-21 first @ 1600.
 
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Get the CPU/NB at least to 2600MHz or even 2800MHz, after that you need to start using a lot more voltage so for me it's not worth it. Also, try using 1T and compare it to 2T.
 

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The BIOS won't post with NB @ 2600 1.25V and RAM @ 1600 8-8-8-21 and 1.610V.

I tried many times and had to clear the CMOS each time.
 
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The BIOS won't post with NB @ 2600 1.25V and RAM @ 1600 8-8-8-21 and 1.610V.

I tried many times and had to clear the CMOS each time.

You can try 8-8-8-24 1.65v. It is very possible that your chip has a weak memory controller. I can run 2600 NB on my x3 720 C2 at stock volts. Try 1.3v on the CPU/NB
 
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Tried running 1T command rate, so far no issues but I'll have run run some stability tests.



@xsever try the setup erocker recommended, maybe try RAM at 1333MHz 8-8-8-24 1.65V (if stable try with 1T command rate), and NB at 2600 (if not stable try 2400) with 1.27-1.30V

@erocker how could I test if CPU/NB is stable (or will it just bomb at post), I want to try with lowest volts as possible.
 

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I raised the FSB from 200 to 206 so the CPU now runs at 4.12GHz (1.376V) and RAM now runs at 1648 9-9-9-24 1.5V.

Here are the results:


I am going to try 1372 @ 7-7-7-20 1T and see if it's better than 1648 9-9-9-24 2T.
 
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And at what frequency is the CPU/NB running? Yes try those timings and see if it's better (is your RAM rated for 1.5V or 1.65V?).
 

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1372 @ 7-7-7-20 1T proved to be a tad slower than 1648 9-9-9-24 2T.

CPU/NB at 2200.

I tried 1648 8-8-8-24 2T with 1.65V but the BIOS would display boot failure and force me to revert.

I think this concludes my journey for now.
 
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