Dividers and performance

[Quantum8]

I'm kind of new to the whole OC scene, so please bear with me...

Soon I'll be getting an E7200, which runs at 9.5 x 266mhz. The RAM I was thinking of getting was DDR2-800, but then I started reading stuff about dividers, etc. People say that 1:1 is ideal, but how much of a performance increase is there? I'm mainly concerned about gaming. Here are the options I'm considering:

1) Don't worry because a 2:3 divider doesn't hurt performance.
2) Overclock my processor to 400mhz FSB to achieve 1:1 and a blazing CPU. I'm kind of reluctant to do this because I don't want to overwork my CPU, and also would rather not install a noisy but powerful HSF. Maybe lowering the multiplier will help?
3) Stick with the DDR2-800, underclock it to 667 for a safer CPU overclock of 333mhz, maybe tighten timings?
4) Go with cheaper DDR2-533 (This (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141241), maybe), and have 1:1 out of the box with great timings.
5) Other?

This is all with a Gigabyte GA-EP35 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337) and MSI NX8800GT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127329)

Thanks for the help!

[burningcpu]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145
I'm running my e7200 and that ram 1:1 @ 400 FSB and the 9.5 multi. The timings are 4-4-4-10, and the HSF is the $24 ACfreezerpro7. I really don't see why you would buy that ddr2-533. The ram I posted would only cost $10 more. Also, why don't you want to OC the CPU? My proc went up to 3.4 before I had to raise it from the VID.

And yes, you could at least lower the multi to 8 and run 1:1 @400 Mhz, you probably wouldn't even have to adjust vcore. With the E7200, there really is no reason to not OC it. I swear, this was the easiest OC I have ever done. Lol, my first OC on it I was in a hurry, just bumped the voltage up .1V and ran it at 3.8. I needed a few adjustments to become orthos stable, but still, this thing OC's like nuts.

[Quantum8]

It's not that I don't want to OC, it's just that 400mhz seems kind of high. Also, a concern of mine is noise. Is the Freezer Pro loud? What are your temps?

Also, right now the G.Skill DDR2-800 and 1000 kits cost the same. I don't plan on going past 400mhz, so should I just go with the 800 for lower voltages and temps?

[burningcpu]

My proc runs hot, and it seems a lot of the other e7200's do as well. It's idling at ~48 and hitting 68ish under orthos load. Those are the temps of the cores, using real temp.

I think the AC7 is pretty quiet, but my idea of quiet and yours are probably different.

The DDR 1000 kit can to 4-4-4-10 at 800 Mhz, whereas those others are doing 5-5-5-15. I'll let you decide if the higher temps and voltages are worth it. For me I prefer speed over quietness. (is that a word?)

[Quantum8]

This is a personal preference, but I think I'll stick with a slightly lower FSB, for the sake of hardware life expectancy, heat, noise, etc.

So. If I were to OC my processor CPU to 333mhz, then underclock my RAM, I think I'd be at a nice compromise. One more thing pops up though. Right now, G.Skill DDR2-800 and 1000 kits cost the same. Does it matter which I get if I underclock to 333mhz anyways? I don't plan on going past 400mhz, so the 1000 doesn't seem to offer too much more. Which should I choose?

[jaymz9350]

Personally I would go for the ddr2 1000 kit if they're the same price. even if you're going to underclock it why not get the faster mem for the same price. You may eventually change your mind and decide to go for a higher fsb and if you want to sell them later on the 1000 might be worth more.

[Hazaro]

I'm kind of new to the whole OC scene, so please bear with me...

Soon I'll be getting an E7200, which runs at 9.5 x 266mhz. The RAM I was thinking of getting was DDR2-800, but then I started reading stuff about dividers, etc. People say that 1:1 is ideal, but how much of a performance increase is there? I'm mainly concerned about gaming. Here are the options I'm considering:

1) Don't worry because a 2:3 divider doesn't hurt performance.
2) Overclock my processor to 400mhz FSB to achieve 1:1 and a blazing CPU. I'm kind of reluctant to do this because I don't want to overwork my CPU, and also would rather not install a noisy but powerful HSF. Maybe lowering the multiplier will help?
3) Stick with the DDR2-800, underclock it to 667 for a safer CPU overclock of 333mhz, maybe tighten timings?
4) Go with cheaper DDR2-533 (This (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141241), maybe), and have 1:1 out of the box with great timings.
5) Other?

This is all with a Gigabyte GA-EP35 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337) and MSI NX8800GT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127329)

Thanks for the help!

You can run 400Mhz lower than that and be stable.

Just buy a cheap set of DDR2-800, G.Skill is a nice choice for $45

[Quantum8]

jaymz9350: I think I'll get the DDR2-1000 just because it's faster for the same price. I'll be underclocking my RAM most likely to 400mhz regardless, so is there any danger in too much underclock? I would imagine not, but I'm not sure...

Hazaro: how difficult was it for you to run your E7200 at 9.5 x 400mhz? I've decided on getting the Scythe Shuriken CPU HSF for it's low noise and low profile. However, temperature-wise it's good but not the best. How much cooling do you need for your E7200?