Overclocking memory...should I?

[chris33]

Hey all. I was just wanting some of your opinions about overclocking my memory clock speed. I came across the following using Everest Ultimate Edition 2006:

DIMM1: Nanya M2U51264DS8HC3G-5T 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz)

DIMM2: GeIL CL25-4-4DDR 400 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2.5-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.0-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz)

What catches my eye is that the sticks are currently operating at 166, but Everest mentions readings @200 Mhz. Would it be safe to increase the frequency from 166 to 200 Mhz?

Thanks!

 

[KingCody]

how do you know they are running at 166? download CPU-z to see what speeds and timings your RAM is running at.

They are both PC3200 sticks which means that they are 200MHz sticks, however if you look at what everest says... when they run at 200MHz, they run at looser timings as well.

It appears that the "Geil" stick is much better than the Nanya stick. since you are running 2 unmatched sticks (with one being weaker than the other) your performance will always be limited by the weakest link.

 

[chris33]

how do you know they are running at 166?

I know there is a setting in my bios that allows me to set a value anywhere from 166 to 200 Mhz at intervals of one. I was assuming ram ran at a set speed. Are you implying that, my ram for example, runs anywhere from 166 to 200Mhz as needed? Or either 166 OR 200Mhz as needed? If not, what is that value in the bios? Would it harm anything maxing it out? Thanks!