Overclocking RAM for a relative beginner

[rfkrocktk]

Now that I've got my CPU at 4.8GHz stable, I'd like to see what I can do with my RAM.

I assume that RAM overclocking is simply sending more voltage to the RAM and trying to run them at higher clock speeds and/or lower timings. Is this accurate? If so, which should I prefer? Higher clock speeds or lower timings? I currently only have one 8GB stick of the kind mentioned in my sig due to an RMA and this stick is stable passing MemTest86+ with flying colors.

How do I get started overclocking my RAM?

 

[Woomack]

All depends on what IC is this memory. Some chips like higher voltage but some not. You can check IC reading memory revision number and compare it to this list:
http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68811

For most chips max reasonable voltage will be ~1.65V. Going up to 2133 you can try one of these timings:
9-11-10-27 (or 28)
10-10-10-27 (or 28)
10-11-10-27 (or 28)
10-11-11-27 (or 28)
11-11-11-(27-31)
11-12-11-(27-31)

2133 will give higher performance than lowering timings on this platform but really in both cases there won't be any special difference unless you are benching.
If you won't be able to stabilize 2133 then try lower timings on 1866 like:
8-10-8-27
8-10-9-27
9-9-9-27 ( this one will probably work only on Micron IC )

It will be of course good if you say what IC is in these sticks but at least you have something to start with.

 

[rfkrocktk]

Memory IC is 3.24 Micron, 512Mx8.

 

[Woomack]

in this case try something like:
1866 9-9-9-24 1.50-1.60V
1866 8-9-9-24 1.50-1.60V
1866 8-8-8-24 1.50-1.60V
2133 10-10-10-27 1.50-1.65V
2133 9-10-10-27 1.50-1.65V
2133 9-9-9-27 1.50-1.65V

You can also try 2133 11-11-11 if tighter timings won't work but it will be probably slower than 1866 9-9-9 or 9-10-9.

Also bump VCCIO and VCCSA by 0.1V if 2133 won't be stable.

 

[rfkrocktk]

For validating that clock and timings are stable, MemTest86+ will work, right?

 

[Woomack]

Best is to use windows software as it's also stressing memory controller. Something like Prime95/blend or Intel Burn Test ( at least 90% memory usage ).
There is memtest86+ 5.0 beta which is using multithreading but it's not stable on all boards.

 

[rfkrocktk]

Awesome, thanks