Mobo RAM frequency overlock

[Wrathinside]

I've been wondering, how does this work? I understand that CPU\GPU are overclocked mostly by software\BIOS\hardware stuff, but as I can't quite understand or see the answer in googled RAM overclocking guides, I hope it's not forbidden to try and ask it here. Search didn't help much.

So the main question, and the reason it is in Mobo section, is what does Mobo RAM frequency mean? I understand that, for instance, a Mobo can support stock ram at 1600mhz, and OC up to 2933. If I, for example, need 1866(since Intel has pretty much only 1600mhz stock Mobos) - how do I overclock it? Like, I buy 1866mhz RAM module, how do I overclock a Mobo to accept it, and is it safe? Since I mentioned Intel, I see many with OC up to 2933. How far is safe to overclock? Is 2133 safe?

And from the other end. If Mobo can support 1866 stock, but I have 1600 RAM - can RAM itself be overclocked to 1866? I don't see OC specification for RAM, does that mean that it's impossible by definition, or it works like CPU\GPU?

As with GPU\CPU - the obstacles of OC that I know of are heat and voltage. Will 600W PSU and 4system fans be enough to keep Mobo cool\powered enough to OC Intel 1600 to 1866?

 

[Tradesman1]

First mobo-CPU-DRAM....... the mobo plays in to a degree....it needs to support the DRAM you want to use, the bigger factor is the CPU itself it has to carry the DRAM via the MC (memory controller) which is a part of the CPU. Since you haven't listed what CPU or mobo we'll take a hypothetical and say we have an Asus Hero, which is 'rated' for up to 2800 DRAM, and initially we'll use a 4770K.....it's 'rated' to 1600 DRAM (by Intel)....when you first install your new DRAM it will default to the mobos, RAM default freq, say 1333, if you have DRAM that is 1600 or better it will have an XMP profile in the SPD of the DRAM which is simply info about the sticks,,,, so if you have say 1600, 1866, 2133 DRAM, with moost 4770Ks, you simply go into the BIOS enable XMP and the BIOS will take that info from the SPD and set the system up for you to run the DRAM at 1600, 1866 or 2133.....in effect it sets up the DRAM and OC's the MC in the CPU a bit to handle the freq...When you get into faster DRAM say 2400 or better, the MC itself may not be able to handle things all by itself and you may need to OC the CPU itself to a higher freq to help the MC, i.e. for 2400 and up you may need to OC the 4770K to 4 or 4.1 9it will vary depending on the individual CPU and how strong it is...using mine for example I can run up to 32GB of 2800 on my Hero (and possibly even faster, that's the best set of sticks I've had in it), other 4770Ks may only be able to handle 16GB of 2800 - it depends on the CPU.....with a 4670K, the i5, they aren't quite as powerful, but have managed 32GB up to 2666 (16GB is more the normal)

As to having 1600 DRAM, with a decent CPU you can often OC the DRAM (if it's decent DRAM) by raising the the base timings by 1 each - i.e. 8-8-8-24 to 9-9-9-25 or so, raise the DRAM volateg + 0.05 and the same to the MC voltage...if that proves stable can try lowering the voltages a bit at a time or tightening the timings back down for better performance - as far as voltage it seldom to never has any affect from the PSU - DRAM pulls 4 or less watts

 

[Wrathinside]

Oh, so it has something... or well, a lot of things to do with CPU? Unfortunately in my case it's not 4770k or any Hero, it's just:
ASUS M5A97
AMD FX 8320
Since Mobo description says 1866mhz stock, and is overclockable, if I get 2x4 CORSAIR Vengeance CML8GX3M2A1600C9B 1600mhz - can I overclock it to 1866mhz and maybe even 2133 with FX8320 and this Mobo?
And if I OC, does it matter much whether I have 1600 or 1866 initial RAM? I read there is little difference, but price is a bit different and availability changes, so I am considering 1600 instead of 1866, but hoping to overlock it at need.

Also - SPD, XMP... What? If my CPU can overclock RAM and RAM is 1600+, I should enable XMP somewhere in BIOS, and it will allow me to select frequency?

 

[Tradesman1]

With the 8320 I'd just go 1866, AMD CPUs have a weak MC compared to Intel and 1866 and 1600 are near the same price anyway....with AMD mobos, instead of XMP look for Docp or EOCP, those are AMDs prime comparitives to Intel's XMP for OC profiles