Prime stable or not?

[mustrum]

Hello everyone.
I got a question:

I have my AQZEA az 210x11 (2.31 ghz) atm and my crucial PC3200 RAM at 2-2-2.5.

I get 35 idle and 40 to 43 load (depends on ambient temperature) wich should be ok.
I'm not Prime95 stable.
But i wasn't at 2.2ghz either and i think it'S my memory since it's a CL3 memory and i think not too good to OC.
RAM is at 2.7 Volts and i feel uneasy to up it more (can i fry it with 2.8)
and my CPU is at 1.7 vcore. Runs at 1.65 as well but upped it a bit to check if it affects Prime.

I can run Aquamark and 3dmarks continously without a hitch so should i try up voltages or can i be a happy gamer as it is?
Is there aqny lowdowns with a system not prime stable?
I'd feel much better with a non Primestable but low volted System to be honest.

One last question: How high is the possibility that i fry my CPU at 2.31 ghz (i plan to run it for the next 2 years) when i get a load temp of 43 max? (Only prime managed to reach 43 once but it seems acrctic silver 5 needed some time since i only get 40 while priming now)

Any comments are welcome.
Thanks

[The Coolest]

Well, unless you're FOLDing or SETIing not being prime stable is not a totally bad thing, if your system runs fine for what you do then I guess you could leave it at that. I would try relaxing the timings some and seeing if it affects your overclockability

[ChillPhatCat]

I agree... just try backing off on the memory... no sense in holding back your overclock just because you want tight memory settings... it will probably do absolutely nothing noticeable... but being unstable it will be noticeable... every once in a while it will likely crash for no reason...

At 43C there is no risk of burning out that CPU, it is more about voltage... if you're running above 50C under load then you might consider backing off the voltage and overclock.

[mustrum]

The system is running 24 hours now and i was gaming most of the time. No crash so far and highest temp is 46 degrees.
Memory timings aren't holding my OC back. I didn't even try to go higher yet. I didn't hit any wall or something. I just set it to 210x11 to see if it works. :D (from 203x11)

I tried 3-3-2.5 to see if that helps with prime but it didn't.
I somehow don't wanna go CL 3 tho since i'd get a performance hit i think.

Since it's stable for me i'll just let it at the current setting. It's fast as hell for sure.

[rottenspam]

Personally my conservative nature sayz its better to be prime stable if you ever do anything other than play games on the machine.

I think your probably still pushing your memory too fast. Remember most sticks of RAM are rated for 1 stick in the machine at their published timings. When you add a second stick you may have to slow the memory timings down more. No running at CAS 3 vs 2 does not make a big difference for most games. Other applications such as compression, yes, but games no.

Personally if you can live with occasional crashes do it. Me I do homework on my machine with some fairly complex matlab simulations and I'd rather have it complete accuratly, without crashing then save myself a few seconds. I have an A64 3200+ machine that I run at 2.2ghz..

I run my Corsair 512 meg XMS PC3200 at 2.5-3-3-7-2T at 183mhz and 2.5V's and thats the fastest I can run it at and achive stability in prime 95. My second stick is a Geil Ultra 512meg stick, and its Rated at 2-2-2-6-1T at 400mhz, but when there are two sticks in the system corsair recommends a max of 185mhz fsb and 2.5-3-3-7-2t timings, and they're right.

[ChillPhatCat]

Why are you undervolting your ram? Also, there should be no difference in running two sticks as opposed to one... RAM likes voltage even more than CPU's do... why starve it? I've got two sticks of XMS PC3200 that will do 230 FSB at 2,3,3,5 and 3V

[mustrum]

Originally posted by ChillPhatCat
Why are you undervolting your ram? Also, there should be no difference in running two sticks as opposed to one... RAM likes voltage even more than CPU's do... why starve it? I've got two sticks of XMS PC3200 that will do 230 FSB at 2,3,3,5 and 3V

Well i run mine at 2.7 volds and 2.6 is stock. I didn't ip it more since i am afraid i'll fry them with higher voltage. I don't know how much volt the can take.

[rottenspam]

Originally posted by ChillPhatCat
Why are you undervolting your ram? Also, there should be no difference in running two sticks as opposed to one... RAM likes voltage even more than CPU's do... why starve it? I've got two sticks of XMS PC3200 that will do 230 FSB at 2,3,3,5 and 3V


Actually stock voltage for DDR is 2.5V's if memory serves... I personally see no reason to overvolt my ram for a small performance increase, and my memory stick the Corsair is PC3200, not the PC3200C2 stick so in a single stick configuration its rated at 2.5-3-3-7-2T at 200mhz FSB.

All memory subsystems loose speed potential the more memory sticks you add.. Thats the reason most mobo's can't handle 3 sticks at 200mhz FSB.

the address amplifiers are weak on motherboards and the more sticks that the address singles are sent to the less the signal strength which reduces the s/n ratio and reduces the maxium speed they can be reliably read at. Which is why there is registered memory, more or less registered ram amplifies the single. Which is why all server mobos who use 3-4+ sticks of ram require registered memory. You do lower you maxium fsb potential the more sticks of ram you use.