Questions about good overclocking properties

[OceanMachine]

Hi, i would like to choose the parts for my new computer so i can get the best overclocking performance out of it and was confronted with some questions that i hope someone can clear me up about 😀.

i'd like to get about this AMD System (if you think Intel/nvidea is more value for money plz let me know)

AMD FX 6300 Processor
ASUS M5A97 R2.0 Mainboard
Radeon R9 270X graphics card
8 GB DDR 3 RAM kit
500 or 600W Be Quiet PSU

so the questions i have are:
1. Mainboard
The things that matter for the main board seem to be the power phase and the chipset. AFAIK the mainboard has AMD 970 Chip and only 4+2 Powerphase, so i wonder if it would be a significant difference to get a 990 chip with 6+2 powerphase to get better overclock performance/quality for the system.

2.RAM
should I just get the RAM with the highest frequency my cpu/mainboard would support(1866) or would it be helpful to get a 2133 and configure it one step down, so it can handle the higher frequency better due to the increased FSB frequency.
do the latencies matter greatly? i have no big clue about those yet :S

3.North Bridge Speed
what would you think how much overclocking the northbridge would affect the the system performance. is it advisable to keep the standard multiplier with increased FSB or is it better for durability to put it one step down?

I'm sry if any question has been asked already, some link would be nice then.

I appreciate any useful response, thanks!

 

[Quaddro]

1.Motherboard..
Asus m5a97 evo r.2 version is slightly better, it's have 6+2 power phase..
well, 970 chipset intended for mild overclocking..because this segment, price is more important than performance..
but even m5a97 r.2(non evo) version only have 4+2 powerphase, it will fly your processor to 4.2-4.4Ghz..well, not bad for mild overclock..

if you want to go crazy, then go with 990 class..
m5a99fx, bugdet 990fx..
sabertooth, high durability 990fx..
crosshair V, well, this one is overclocking monster..highest quality and most overclockable motherboard for AMD processor..

2.RAM
higher memory frequency makes faster data transfer..
latency is your memory responsiveness..

Speed and latency is the main factor to determine how fast is your memory.

For example:
DDR3 1600 CL 6 vs DDR3 2000 CL 9.

To put it on simple maths:

The frequency is expressed in Hertz, which means "cycles per second". So, the DDR3 2000 will perform 2000 cycles a second while the DDR3 1600 will do, well, 1600.

The CAS latency is given in cycles. So, a CAS9 RAM will take 9 cycles to respond and the CAS6, 6 cycles.

Now putting it together: the DDR3 2000 CAS9 will take 9/2000 seconds, which is equal to 0,0045 seconds, to respond while the DDR3 1600 CAS 6 will take 6/1600, which is equal to 0,0038 seconds, to respond. Thus, the 1600 one is faster.

3. NB Speed..
well, overclocking nb speed actually has more effect than overclocking processor..
this setting is affect the data transfer speed between processor and memory system..so both of this component can communicate faster..
More data transferred between processor and memory, then overall system performance will be faster..
and (fx6300 3.5Ghz nb 3000) is faster than (fx6300 4.2Ghz + NB 2000)

So, raise your fsb, 2600-2800 is sweetest spot of you cpu-nb clock, without sacifrice your motherboard durability..

 

[OceanMachine]

thanks, that was a great answer, now i get the RAM thing.
my last concern is: when my motherboard and cpu support 1866Mhz RAM i assume a module of this type would run at its full speed?! if i raise the fsb to like 250 mhz could the frequency for the RAM be too high then, so i need to lower it one step? so would it be helpful/faster if i get like 2000 RAM if it has the same timings so it can handle higher frequencies?

 

[Quaddro]

when my motherboard and cpu support 1866Mhz RAM i assume a module of this type would run at its full speed?! => Yes

if i raise the fsb to like 250 mhz could the frequency for the RAM be too high then, so i need to lower it one step? => Yes

so would it be helpful/faster if i get like 2000 RAM if it has the same timings so it can handle higher frequencies? => Yes..


well, for fsb 250Mhz, you'll need 2333Mhz memory..but if you only have 1866Mhz, you have to lower your default memory speed..
so, when your fsb set at 250Mhz, it's not exceed memory speed (1866Mhz).

But remember, set the memory clock higher than default speed will stress processor IMC..
and AMD imc is more weaker/fragile than core processor..

 

[OceanMachine]

ok thank you a lot, it really helped out