What order to Overclock components?

[wt684]

Hi all,

Question:

Part 1)
What component should I start with when overclocking?
My guess would be CPU first, then RAM (speed and timings), then Video Card. Does this seem logical?

I don't plan on overclocking anything else, pretty much just the basics.

Part 2)
Also, my RAM is rated at DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 at 2.1V.
After booting up the system the first, it runs at 1.8V and 5-5-5-12. Should I set these to 4-4-4-12 at 2.1V before I start overclocking the CPU? or should I leave them at 5-5-5-12 (1.8V) until I am done overclocking the CPU?

Part 3)
I'm running 2 Radeon 4850s in Crossfire. When overclocking, do I OC one card at a time? or will both always run at the same speed?

This is my first time overclocking a system. Thanks.

My system below:

Asus P5Q Pro
Intel E7300 (2.66 Ghz)
Patriot Extreme Performance DDR2-800 4GB Low Latency Kit
2x HIS IceQ4 Radeon HD 4850 1GB in crossfire.
Corsair TX750W PSU
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 with Arctic Silver 5
Antec Nine Hundred Case
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB

 

[jsc]

Part 1 - That's about right.

Part 2- Here's where people may differ. I have RAM with similar specs. I increase the voltage to 2.1 volts, but leave the timings at 5-5-5-15. I run the FSB up past 400 MHz keeping memory timing linked to FSB to run at 1:1 ratio, get the system running stably, then tinker with the RAM settings.

Part 3. Don't know, never done SLI or Crossfire. I would guess that you should do both cards together.

 

[Zenthar]

Set the RAM:FSB ratio at 1:1 and set voltage @ 2.1, then increase FSB (and CPU voltage if needed) as high as you can/want. Then you can try to further increase the memory speed or simply try to reduce the RAM voltage to reduce heat and/or timing.

 

[wt684]

Perfect, will do it that way. Thanks!