Intel 950 OCing FSB question

[dqtus]

Ok I'm a bit new to OCing and I was wondering this. If I bought the 950 which has a FSB of 800 MHz which means it operates at 200MHz per pipe and I was using PC4800 RAM, could I basically overclock my FSB to 300MHz to match the RAM? I was reading on the OCing guide that the best OCing is to overclock the FSB rather than just increasing the CPU multiplier. At first I was going to go with the 955 and increase the multplier w/o messing with the FSB but the 955 is pricier so I guess my main question is which would give me a better performance. Increasing the multiplier of the 955 to get say 4.2 GHz or increasing the FSB of the 950 and maybe multiplier if needed to get 4.2 GHz. Thanks!

[Know Nuttin]

with a 17x multiplier and given the luck people have been having with their 9xx processors, don't expect 5100mhz out of it (17 x 300). If you can get the multi down to 14x, you may get to 4200mhz but will take alot of voltage, a hefty power supply, and some very good cooling.

Also, the optimal config is DDR2 for this CPU. PC4800 is DDR1.

[dqtus]

with a 17x multiplier and given the luck people have been having with their 9xx processors, don't expect 5100mhz out of it (17 x 300). If you can get the multi down to 14x, you may get to 4200mhz but will take alot of voltage, a hefty power supply, and some very good cooling.

Also, the optimal config is DDR2 for this CPU. PC4800 is DDR1.


I see, so even if say I get PC2-5300 then, since the RAM speed is faster than my FSB will there be any issues running it? Since the guide says it's best to have RAM and FSB running at the same speed. So in a case like this, would OCing actually help?

[batboy]

I routinely run my RAM at the 3:4 ratio. It helps memory bandwidth a lot and overall performance a little.

All of the 9XX has locked multipliers except maybe the 955XE.

[dqtus]

I routinely run my RAM at the 3:4 ratio. It helps memory bandwidth a lot and overall performance a little.

All of the 9XX has locked multipliers except maybe the 955XE.

Damn that sucks, so which means if I get the 950 I'm gonna have to OC my FSB then huh? *sigh* why does intel do this to me -_-

[batboy]

Yes, just get the 940 like I did, O/C it to 950 speed or more, and save $200.

[dqtus]

Yes, just get the 940 like I did, O/C it to 950 speed or more, and save $200.

Another question about the cpus, is there really a difference in the make up of the 940 and 950 or is Intel pretty much overclocking the 940 to a 950 and tacking on dollars to make a profit? I mean like, both chips are capable of handling speeds beyond factory recommendations correct?

Also what board are you running batboy? I'm thinking of using the ASUS P5WD2 or should I wait for a 975 chipset?

[batboy]

It's the same core, just different multiplier. The higher faster processors might have slightly better yielding cores. Another member named Ranger just took a 920 to 4 gig.

I'm using an Abit AW8 (see signature). The Asus P5WD2 is an excellent motherboard. The i975 is now available in some places and cetainly worth looking at.

[dqtus]

It's the same core, just different multiplier. The higher faster processors might have slightly better yielding cores. Another member named Ranger just took a 920 to 4 gig.

I'm using an Abit AW8 (see signature). The Asus P5WD2 is an excellent motherboard. The i975 is now available in some places and cetainly worth looking at.

Cool I think I'll use your suggestion on using the 940 and OCing that to kingdom come :D Easier on the wallet too, hehehe. I guess once I get my stuff I'll have more questions so I'll most likely be asking you since you're running the same chip, hope you don't mind too much.