E6600: lower multiplier and higher FSB?

[Breeze]

I've got an E6600, P5W DH, and 8500C5 (5-5-5-15 at 2.2v) Corsair RAM. I'm typically a conservative overclocker, going for stable low-investment (ie: stock HSF) overclocking, rather than extreme o/cing.

I want to run the E6600 around 3.2 GHz, and given that I want to keep CPU:RAM 1:1, I have several choices:

3.15 GHz with it's stock 9x multiplier, FSB=350, RAM 1:1 (5.6 GB/sec), 4-4-4-12 (typical)

OR, I could lower the multiplier and take advantage of my better RAM speed:

3.2 GHz, 8x multiplier, FSB=400, RAM 1:1 (6.4 GB/sec), 4-4-4-12 (typical)

or
3.150 GHz, 7x multiplier, FSB= 450, RAM 1:1 (7.2 GB/sec), probably 5-5-5-15

or techincally:
3.2 GHz, 6x multiplier, FSB=533, RAM 1:1, (8.528 GB/sec), 5-5-5-15

Deferring to those of experience here, does my math make sense? Are any of the settings above ideal? And assuming I can get the P5W DH to such high FSB settings (ie: assuming the chipset can handle it), does this higher RAM speed advantage the system or are there other bottlenecks that make doing this pointless?

TIA for any feedback.

Breeze

 

[deathman20]

Well getting higher FSB then 400 on a P5W-DH is going to be hard so you'll be either using the 9x or 8x multi. And for stock heatsink you might consider 3.0Ghz maybe lower just depends on voltage.

Something you might want to try, haven't heard what the results of this on the board are but if u want to run the ram faster you could try using a 4:5 ram divider on it. Something to think about.

 

[batboy]

I'm running my system at 8X400 right now for everyday usage (it will do 9X400 with more voltage). Like DM said, going much above 400 FSB on that mobo might be tough. I like the idea of the extra bandwidth of RAM ruuning DDR2-800. But, 3.2 gig will probably involve a bump in vcore and that might require a better heatsink. A buddy of mine is using a Zalman 7700 on a Conroe which that works well for a modest O/C and is super quiet.

 

[nd4spdbh2]

I'm running my system at 8X400 right now for everyday usage (it will do 9X400 with more voltage). Like DM said, going much above 400 FSB on that mobo might be tough. I like the idea of the extra bandwidth of RAM ruuning DDR2-800. But, 3.2 gig will probably involve a bump in vcore and that might require a better heatsink. A buddy of mine is using a Zalman 7700 on a Conroe which that works well for a modest O/C and is super quiet.

ahhh come on guys dont sell the p5w short... mine can do 450+fsb but ya i would look to around 3.0ghz with the stock voltage and stock cooler... and running upward dividers on the ram... currently i do 3ghz 333x9 with a 2:3 (fsb : dram) so it goes like this

3.0ghz (9 x 333)
2:3 divider (called 800 strap when running at 266fsb)
and that produces 1000mhz on the ram ( 333 x 3 = 999 / 2 = 499... then ddr so 499x 2 = 1000) ... which i run at 4-4-4-12 @ 2.1v

this a way i dont have to overvolt the MCH to get the extra fsb needed... pluss when you drop the multi you overclock the northbridge even more... the equation goes like this to find out the ACTUAL fsb the northbridge is runnign at

(original multi / new multi) X fsb

so runnign at 9multi its (9/9) x 333 = 333fsb

now if i was doing 8multi @ 3 ghz it would be (9/8) x 375 = 421 actual fsb.

n e ways hope this helps...

 

[deathman20]

Not selling short just stating more or less the average person getting it. Of coures lucky few can hit very high FSB on it. But considering hes staying stock, wouldn't say that you'd get higher then 400Mhz just to play it on the safer side.

 

[nd4spdbh2]

Not selling short just stating more or less the average person getting it. Of coures lucky few can hit very high FSB on it. But considering hes staying stock, wouldn't say that you'd get higher then 400Mhz just to play it on the safer side.

true... dude breeze just do what i told ya in my last post... it will work out ncie.

 

[Breeze]

3.0ghz (9 x 333)
2:3 divider (called 800 strap when running at 266fsb)
and that produces 1000mhz on the ram ( 333 x 3 = 999 / 2 = 499... then ddr so 499x 2 = 1000) ... which i run at 4-4-4-12 @ 2.1v

this a way i dont have to overvolt the MCH to get the extra fsb needed... pluss when you drop the multi you overclock the northbridge even more... the equation goes like this to find out the ACTUAL fsb the northbridge is runnign at

(original multi / new multi) X fsb

so runnign at 9multi its (9/9) x 333 = 333fsb

now if i was doing 8multi @ 3 ghz it would be (9/8) x 375 = 421 actual fsb.

n e ways hope this helps...

Sure does, thanks! I'll try your settings, and the 7.984 GB/sec sure looks sweet! Now the question this opens is whether that boost in speed provides better performance seeing as there's a communication penalty for not running CPU:RAM at 1:1. Anyone know?

Thanks all for the feedback!

Breeze