How much more can I overlock my RAM?

[Spitfire7]

When I first bought my Corsair ram it defaulted to 5-5-5-18 @ 1.9volts and I read that it runs most stable at 4-4-4-12 @ 2.1 volts. The first time I installed it, I changed the timings to the lower stats and everything runs great and very stable. Can I go any lower or is that bad for the ram?

Computer stats:
eVGA 680i Mobo
2GB of Corsair CM2X1024-6400 DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 @ 2.1volts
2 SLI Geforce 7600 GT OC graphics cards 256MB
16MB cache 320GB HD 7200RPM
Intel E6600 Core 2 Duo processor
700w Xtreme Gamer OCZ power supply

 

[cappster]

I say OC at that voltage until it won't go any further. Then back it off a little and leave it.

 

[Spitfire7]

Excuse my ignorance, Im new to overclocking. You said to keep Overclocking it until it wont go any further? Will that damage my Ram or burn it up and what will happen when I reach the top overclocking limit?

 

[locky28]

Run Prime 95 on the memory intensive setting while in windows. Keep tightening your timings until prime 95 comes up with errors, when that happens loosen them up a bit and ride dirty. run p95 for around 11 mins for initial testing and when you get it at what you think is stable, run it for 12 hours or so and adjust accordingly

 

[cappster]

Are you overclcoking your processor also? Assuming that you are, set the memory at the default 800mhz rated speed (also have your processor at default 266mhz). Then just bump your front side bus by 10mhz increments and run orthos (prime95DC) until it runs through a couple of tests say 1024k and 8k. If you have never head of orthos just google it and you will find a download. If you are in to CPU overclocking to its max, after getting your memory limit, set the default for your memory to say 533mhz or 667mhz. This will help in OCing your machine to the furthest it can go.

Just keep going until you start getting errors and/or you see some signs of system instability (programs hanging/stuttering). You will probably run into instances where windows doesn't load or your computer won't boot. This is normal for any overclocker. Usually, after so many restarts, your computer will go back to the default settings. Be sure to disable C1e stepping and any virtualization technologies.

Look up Tom's Overclocking Guide on this site and try and follow along those guidlines. It will help with voltage settings and things that will make your OC more stable.

Cappster

 

[Mondoman]

...Will that damage my Ram or burn it up and what will happen when I reach the top overclocking limit?

No, it won't hurt it (unless you boost the voltage much higher); when you reach the limit, it just won't work right. That's why you need to run a memory tester such as memtest86+ after every change, to see if the RAM's still working OK.

 

[Spitfire7]

OK thanks guys for your tips. I will give all of that a try.