DFI ICFX3200 (RD600) T2R/G Information

[Tyhr]

I understand that the memory speed works independently of the FSB for this board, (which is not the case with Intel chipset, where memory speed can directly affect the CPU OC speed).

This means 2 things I think:
1. Expensive, fast RAM can be OC'd to their max potential regardless of CPU bottleneck.
2. Max CPU OC can be achieved with cheap, slow RAM.

If these 2 statements are true, I don't fully understand what is the ramification of that.

I'm looking at getting this board with an e6600 (no Xeon equivalent at the place I'm looking) to be used as a 2D video render, for software (Eyeon Fusion) that primarily uses CPU speed to render (not video card). The faster the CPU goes, the faster the render.

I would like to do a "mild" overclock to something over 3Ghz.
3.6Ghz would be nice, but I am on a very tight budget at the moment, and I'm looking for a good price/performance/stability ratio over fastest speed.

There is a $100 difference between these 2 RAM:
- Team Xtreem PC2-8000 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1000 CL 5-5-5-15
- OCZ Platinum XTC REV.2 PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-15

I guess I'm asking what the performance difference is between these 2 at max oc - or more specifically how that affects an application's performance. Can I save the $100 and still not gimp myself, or is it limiting me in a way I do not understand?

Team has Micron 9, so it must overclock better - but since memory speed is now independent of CPU/FSB, I have no idea what this means. Can anyone explain this in a simple way? Is there a sweet spot for memory speed on this board for a typical OC?

 

[SuperFly03]

How many watts are the tec's and what will you be using them on?

Newegg is supposed to be the first US e-tailor to have them in stock, and I didn't even want to bother with preorders, although Ncix is a good site.

Nice rig

I was to impatient to wait for the egg, got my sign on bonus today.... hoorah!

CPU TEC: MCW5002-775T: 226w

GPU TEC: MCW60-T: 180w

CPU: Xeon 3060 probably

RAM : Super Talent 4GB

HDD: Raptor 150 (already have 2 big drives)

Case: TT Mozart (picking it up today).

GPU: R600/G80... waiting for more info (reliable info that is)

Optical: Toss in a SATA DVD burner for $35 hehe.

I am going to use the TEC's on separate loops to maximize cooling. This is going to be one bad ass rig, it's my graduation present to myself!

Have you used a DFI board before?

 

[SuperFly03]

If these 2 statements are true, I don't fully understand what is the ramification of that.

...

Team has Micron 9, so it must overclock better - but since memory speed is now independent of CPU/FSB, I have no idea what this means. Can anyone explain this in a simple way? Is there a sweet spot for memory speed on this board for a typical OC?

Let me break it down for ya like a fraction (name that movie 😛)

No, in all seriousness here is what it means.

Prior to this, the memory speed was linked to the FSB, so if you OC'd the CPU the memory speed increased in step (assuming you hold the divider constant, which is just a ratio of FSB to Memory speed). Normally, this means you will never get the max out of both components because they are linked and don't have the same ceiling. When OC'ing you would have to use memory dividers to try to get the RAM to optimal speed but eventually you will run into a ceiling on one component before the other.

So, with independent memory clocking you can OC the memory to its max, and then OC the CPU to its max and get the most out of each component. This implies that ceiling from the CPU doesn't affect the ceiling of RAM and visa versa.

Real World Case (My rig 😛):

My AMD CPU is stable up to 2705 MHz or 11 x 250MHz (Multi x FSB)

My RAM is stable up to 260-270MHz. However, if I use the next lowest divider (to increase RAM speed) I end up with a RAM speed of 275-280 and my RAM becomes unstable.

So because the two are linked, my CPU is limiting how fast I can run my RAM.


I hope that helped a little.

 

[Tyhr]

Thank you SuperFly03, I think I may sort of understand it better now.

I think I was just thinking about it the wrong way. For some reason, I was thinking that it wouldn't matter if the memory was faster than the CPU, as the CPU could only ask to read the memory once per cycle (regardless if the memory cycled faster).

So it would be optimal if the memory was exactly as fast as the CPU, so the memory could always respond on the 2nd cycle.

But if the memory was slower than the CPU, it would not be ready by the 2nd cycle, and maybe have to wait until the 3rd of 4rth, etc.

And if the memory was faster, it wouldn't matter, as it would just be waiting on the CPU - which isn't bad, but isn't optimal.

Then I realized I really have no idea what I'm talking about. Since I am not well versed in CAS/latency/etc numbers - I'm not so sure what I was thinking made sense.

When I think of the memory as something like a harddrive - a faster harddrive will improve the overall performance as it can access it's own memory faster.

I'm still undecided if it's worth the extra money in my case to get more expensive memory. (Getting a 6600 over a 6300/6400 means losing 1 harddrive). But I would have better piece of mind with Team Xtreem, as they tell you up front whether or not you're getting promo or Micron.

 

[SuperFly03]

E6300 is a damn good value, especially when paired with good RAM. You set the FSB:MEM Ratio at 1:1 and just start plugging away. I would expect to see it around 3GHz without too much effort. At 3GHz, you are parking around 428MHz FSB, and on a 1:1 Ratio you will be running your RAM at DDR2 856.

Personally, I would choose the solid overclocker + good RAM.

 

[3lfk1ng]

This will be my first DFI board, my previous boards where Asus, and thanks for the pm, but I got my DFI rd600 this morning at 11ish

 

[SuperFly03]

You are welcome, I tried. 😀

One thing you will learn is DFi board recover from failed OC's extremely well. Of course the 6000 BIOS options are fun too. 8O One trick, if you need to clear the CMOS, just press the on and reset switches built into the bottom right portion of the board for 5-10 secs, saves trying to move a damn jumper.

My opty is cruising.... 278*9 atm.

 

[trenchdog73]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136032
dont know if im late or not but they are in at the egg.

 

[rwaritsdario]

You buying it all from Swiftech?

 

[SuperFly03]

You buying it all from Swiftech?

So far, except maybe the reservoir. Swiftech MPC655 for the pump, the Rad's I am not to sure about. I am glad I got the Mozart case... this is going to be a big project.

Any suggestions?

 

[trenchdog73]

Well mine should be here tomorrow looking forward to ocing it lol. Anyone have any bios tips or can point me towards an article to explain some of the less common options which i hear this board has plenty of.

 

[SuperFly03]

Well mine should be here tomorrow looking forward to ocing it lol. Anyone have any bios tips or can point me towards an article to explain some of the less common options which i hear this board has plenty of.

There used to be an amazing guide on dfi-street.com but it recently parted ways with DFI so the site has been taken down. The OC guide was based on an A64, but the memory timings section is still very pertinent. I will try and find something tomorrow when I get done with training. You might want to peruse this thread, I vaguely remember a link, but I could be wrong.