Overclocking ECC RAM vs non ECC

[mahniex]

I wish to get an ABIT TH7 II RAID + 2Ghz Northwood and would like to o'clock it. Does it make any difference in oclocking performance if I use ECC RAM vs non ECC (both branded Samsung)

[DS]

ECC will not overclock as easily as non ECC.

[TranceBear]

Originally posted by mahniex
I wish to get an ABIT TH7 II RAID + 2Ghz Northwood and would like to o'clock it. Does it make any difference in oclocking performance if I use ECC RAM vs non ECC (both branded Samsung)


ECC is made for stability and not performance. get all the low-down on these types of memory at www.crucial.com

[Yodums]

ECC is for servers and made for stablity ram and not overclocking friendly.

yodums

[mahniex]

Would it help if I switch off the ECC option from the BIOS?

[mahniex]

Would it help if I switch off the ECC option from the BIOS?

[o770]

Originally posted by mahniex
Would it help if I switch off the ECC option from the BIOS?

to most of the cases it wouldnt. ecc is not the problem, the problem is that ecc sticks dont use to have as good overclocker chips as the non-ecc sticks. but do u really need ecc memory?

[nodoze]

According to the curcial site, you will see a 2% decrease in performance if you use ECC memory.

[o770]

ecc memory use one more cycle to do the error checking and correction, thats why ecc is a bit slower.

[mahniex]

Originally posted by oTTO
ecc memory use one more cycle to do the error checking and correction, thats why ecc is a bit slower.
The problem is that I already have the ECC RAM and cannot exchange it:mad: Would disabling the ECC from the BIOS stop the error checking and correction function and make the RAM equivalent in speed to a non ecc RAM?

[o770]

Originally posted by mahniex

The problem is that I already have the ECC RAM and cannot exchange it:mad: Would disabling the ECC from the BIOS stop the error checking and correction function and make the RAM equivalent in speed to a non ecc RAM?

i think so but youll need to test it to be sure if disabling will make the ram a bit more overclockable. its possible that without using that one more cycle the ram will be able to perform higher frequencies but thats really something youll need to try out.

[mahniex]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try that as soon as I get the mothrboard:D :cool:
Meanwhile I have another question. I have read lots of conflicting advice on the overclockability of PC800 RAMBUS. Is it or is it not possible to get the FSB up without too many RAM problems?

[o770]

i cant say of the rambus but you know, overclock wont depend only on your ram. you said youre going to get the mainboard, thats the most critical device when overclocking. so, the conflicts you say can be due also to other stuff in the computer.

[mahniex]

Motherboard is an ABIT th7 II RAID which is supposed to be easily oveclockable (Softmenu 3 etc). The problem is that some people say the RAMBUS cannot be easilyoveclocked as say DDR.

[TranceBear]

I would just try several different settings and then test each one and go from there.

[mahniex]

I've just found this on this wonderful BIOS learner guide on http://www.itcp.net/~awsh/Speed_Demonz/BIOS_Guide/BIOS_Guide_Index.htm

There are those who advocate disabling ECC checking because it reduces performance. The performance difference is negligible, if at all. However, the stability and reliability achieved via ECC checking is real and substantial. It may even enable you to overclock higher than is possible with ECC checking disabled. So, enable it for added stability and reliability.
What do you think?