Want to overclock my Q9450 to 3.2. Should I change my memory?

[bigdoggy4ever]

I have purchased the following setup:

Q9450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042

ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131284

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197

Also purchased a Xigmatek 1283 for cpu cooling.

My question is after a ton of reading it looks like I need ddr2 pc6400 800 memory to get this 1:1 ratio @3.2 which I'm still not to clear about. What happens if I don't get this 1:1 ratio? Am I gaining or losing any performance by using the 1066 memory? What would I need to over clock my 9450 to be at 1066 and get 1:1, can my MB support this higher over clock? The memory was pretty cheap thats why I got it fairly quick without doing more research.

I plan on keeping this system for at least 3 years so I really dont want to overclock any higher, maybe 3.4.
What do you guys think? Any big difference from 3.2 and 3.4?

Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

[aznguy0028]

if you want to OC your Q9450 to match your 1066mhz memory, the Q9450 would have to hit 533FSB which is almost impossible if not impossible, i've never heard of anyone reaching that high of a FSB with the Q9450 before. you'll be running it at 4.26ghz. and i don't know ANY mobo that can support 533mhz in the x38/48 family. if anyone knows, please post.

the other REALISTIC way to get your memory to run 1:1 is to change your memory settings in bios down to 800mhz instead of the 1066mhz. because at 3.2ghz for the Q9450, you're only at 400FSB, so 800mhz is needed to run synchronous with it.

 

[aznguy0028]

btw, what i mean by any mobo that could support 533mhz is that, to run stable for daily use, not some extreme one time overclocking benchmark.

you can still keep the 1066mhz memory as it is fine. if you wanna go over 400+fsb, it'll be useful because you won't need to OC the ram. but if you want a comfortable 3.2ghz, 800mhz ram is fine.

 

[badge]

The RAM you purchased will default to PC6400 800MHz. Your BIOS will allow adjustments as to the speed, timing and voltage you choose to run your system with. No need to change your RAM because it is rated at PC8500 1066MHz.

 

[zipz0p]

No need to change the ram, but you might save money and opt for some DDR2-800 with tighter timings.

 

[bigdoggy4ever]

if you want to OC your Q9450 to match your 1066mhz memory, the Q9450 would have to hit 533FSB which is almost impossible if not impossible, i've never heard of anyone reaching that high of a FSB with the Q9450 before. you'll be running it at 4.26ghz. and i don't know ANY mobo that can support 533mhz in the x38/48 family. if anyone knows, please post.

the other REALISTIC way to get your memory to run 1:1 is to change your memory settings in bios down to 800mhz instead of the 1066mhz. because at 3.2ghz for the Q9450, you're only at 400FSB, so 800mhz is needed to run synchronous with it.

If I lower to 800 will I need to change the volts and timings?

 

[bigdoggy4ever]

The RAM you purchased will default to PC6400 800MHz. Your BIOS will allow adjustments as to the speed, timing and voltage you choose to run your system with. No need to change your RAM because it is rated at PC8500 1066MHz.

So if all I do is Over clock my CPU by raising the FSB to 400, my memory will default to 6400 800?

 

[zipz0p]

It probably will default to DDR2-800, but in case it doesn't, it's relatively simple to set this in BIOS (while you're already in there increasing the FSB).

 

[aznguy0028]

http://www.overclockingwiki.org/forums/showthread.php?t=832


^ version 1.7 .here is a guide by graysky on how to overclock your CPU...its a lot more than just raising your FSB to 400. its really informative


you should also read version 1.6.1 here on toms also. the users comments below his guide pointed out some mistakes...such as leaving C1E disabled, and EIST (speedstep) disabled as well.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

good luck

 

[badge]

So if all I do is Over clock my CPU by raising the FSB to 400, my memory will default to 6400 800?

The memeory, rated PC8500 1066MHz., will default to PC6400 at 800MHz. when installed. If you raise your FSB, the memory speed will increase with it. But, you can adjust the memory speed manually (seperately) in BIOS.

 

[th_username]

it is okay

 

[bigdoggy4ever]

The memeory, rated PC8500 1066MHz., will default to PC6400 at 800MHz. when installed. If you raise your FSB, the memory speed will increase with it. But, you can adjust the memory speed manually (seperately) in BIOS.

Ok final question I promise

Since my memory is "rated" @ 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v 1066, when I over clock my 9450 to 3.2 can I manually set the timings and latency to 4-4-4-12 800? And can I lower the voltage to 1.8-1.9? My goal is to get 1:1 for maximum stability. Is this even possible?

Sorry to sound like a noob but thanks for all the help again!

 

[badge]

Since my memory is "rated" @ 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v 1066, when I over clock my 9450 to 3.2 can I manually set the timings and latency to 4-4-4-12 800?

You will have to install 1 DIMM. Go into BIOS and set your RAM voltage to 2.1v and go ahead and manually set the timings to 5-5-5-15, like Mfg. says. If you have not loaded you Operating System, leave the memory frequency (Memory speed) at default for the time being. ALL PC8500 is just overclockable PC6400 and your BIOS will default your RAM at 800MHZ. After you have loaded your OS and MB/Chipset drivers and updated your windows OS, then install the second DIMM. Go back into BIOS and make the adjustments you want. If your RAM is rated at 5-5-5-15, some DIMMs may not like 4 CAS (4-4-4-12) while other DIMMs have no problem. PC 8500 at 4 CAS LAT is pretty tough to achieve in my experience. Now, if you increase the FSB (or overclock) yiour system to 3.2GHz., the RAM is on the BUS you are increasing, so the RAM frequency will adjust upward with the system BUS. To answer your questyion in a sentence, "yes, you can adjust your RAM's speed, timings and voltage manually if you overclock."

And can I lower the voltage to 1.8-1.9? My goal is to get 1:1 for maximum stability. Is this even possible?

Manufacturer says 2.1v. at 5-5-5-15. Set the RAM there. Manufacturer also says 1066MHz. speed at those settings. Don't be overly concerned with 1:1 ratio. The dividers are there to be used, that's what they are for. Note, 1.8-1.9v is not going to run those two DIMMs stable. You have PC8500 MHz. DIMMs and they require a manual setup in BIOS to perform properly and stable. Unlike standard a couple of 1 GB PC6400 800MHz. running at default 1.8v. No instructions required type RAM.

 

[bigdoggy4ever]

Since my memory is "rated" @ 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v 1066, when I over clock my 9450 to 3.2 can I manually set the timings and latency to 4-4-4-12 800?

You will have to install 1 DIMM. Go into BIOS and set your RAM voltage to 2.1v and go ahead and manually set the timings to 5-5-5-15, like Mfg. says. If you have not loaded you Operating System, leave the memory frequency (Memory speed) at default for the time being. ALL PC8500 is just overclockable PC6400 and your BIOS will default your RAM at 800MHZ. After you have loaded your OS and MB/Chipset drivers and updated your windows OS, then install the second DIMM. Go back into BIOS and make the adjustments you want. If your RAM is rated at 5-5-5-15, some DIMMs may not like 4 CAS (4-4-4-12) while other DIMMs have no problem. PC 8500 at 4 CAS LAT is pretty tough to achieve in my experience. Now, if you increase the FSB (or overclock) yiour system to 3.2GHz., the RAM is on the BUS you are increasing, so the RAM frequency will adjust upward with the system BUS. To answer your questyion in a sentence, "yes, you can adjust your RAM's speed, timings and voltage manually if you overclock."

And can I lower the voltage to 1.8-1.9? My goal is to get 1:1 for maximum stability. Is this even possible?

Manufacturer says 2.1v. at 5-5-5-15. Set the RAM there. Manufacturer also says 1066MHz. speed at those settings. Don't be overly concerned with 1:1 ratio. The dividers are there to be used, that's what they are for. Note, 1.8-1.9v is not going to run those two DIMMs stable. You have PC8500 MHz. DIMMs and they require a manual setup in BIOS to perform properly and stable. Unlike standard a couple of 1 GB PC6400 800MHz. running at default 1.8v. No instructions required type RAM.

Ohh snap dude thanks a Million! I was gonna install both dimms and give it a go lol.