The RAM isn't letting the CPU access OC.
The RAM isn't letting the CPU access OC.
I have a confusing issue that I’m not sure how to fix.
My second PC uses a Gigabyte GA-EP41-UDL3 motherboard, and the BIOS is working properly. I’m using a Core 2 Quad Q9300 processor with 2x2GB DDR2 RAM at 800MHz. Normally, I shut down the PC, open BIOS, and go to the OC settings. I set the OC frequency to 3.00GHz, which should work for this CPU, but after restarting, the PC just goes black. Then I change it to 2.8GHz and it starts. The RAM speed shows 667MHz, and when I increase it to 2.57GHz it jumps to around 687MHz. If I adjust the RAM a bit more, it doesn’t allow me to reach full speed. Can you help me understand why?
I have a similar DRAM multiplier, but I can't reduce it below 667mhz. Every time I increase the OC on the CPU, the RAM MHz keeps rising. This might not be about the RAM itself, but rather the chipset's FSB limit around 344MHz, which is comparable to yours (7.5x 343=2.57GHz).
Increasing FSB affects memory bus speed. Your RAM runs at 667MHz and seems resistant to higher overclocks, especially at standard voltage. Raising the RAM voltage slightly or adjusting its timing could help. A better approach is modifying the FSB:memory multiplier setting to reduce memory frequency appropriately for your overclock.
Since you lack a CPU, the multiplier is enabled.
You're trying to boost the CPU by increasing the main front side bus, which is connected and manages the memory on your motherboard.
In contrast, with a multiplier unlocked Intel CPU like a 2500k, only the clock speed is adjusted independently.
When you hit the desired clock speed for the memory and its rated rate by expanding the main front side bus and motherboard, you've reached the overclock limit.
For instance, if your CPU has a locked multiplier of 12.5, multiply it by the base FSB speed:
So 12.5 x 200 = 2500 or 2.5GHz.
The motherboard memory, using the formula 4 times the FSB speed, gives 800Mhz DDR2.
If you increase the FSB to overclock the CPU, say to 211Mhz, the result is 2637.5Mhz or approximately 2.6GHz.
Alternatively, if the DDR2 memory was initially set to 800Mhz as default, increasing it to 844Mhz would yield a speed of 4 x 211 = 844Mhz.
To achieve further overclocking, you should start with a lower default speed for the DDR2 memory.
I receive all the information but I can't take any action in my bios regarding RAM. I can only adjust the RAM voltage, which doesn't make a difference. It looks like my bios is quite old since I don't have much of it, as bios should typically include more details.
I receive all that information but I can't adjust anything in my BIOS regarding RAM, I can only modify the RAM voltage which doesn't solve the issue. It looks like my BIOS is quite outdated because it doesn't come with many features as one should expect. It's not necessarily the age—it's just that it lacks more options. But I believe you might have overlooked the setting. It is typically located close to the FSB bus configuration, and it can be labeled differently. On my Asus model it's called "FSB strap to northbridge". It could also be referred to as DRAM ratio, Dram multiplier, etc. Are you certain you don't have such an option?
I have a similar DRAM multiplier, but I can't reduce it below 667mhz. Every time I increase the OC on the CPU, the RAM MHz keeps rising. This might not be about the RAM itself, but rather the chipset's FSB limit around 344MHz, which is comparable to yours (7.5x 343=2.57GHz).