This a Good Processor and RAM choice?

[Le_Petit_Lapin]

Current Sys Specs in Sig.

 

Hi,

 

The RAM I currently own is crap. Simple as that, haveing spent 2 weeks now trying to get it to run stable at anything over stock speeds, I give up. The DFI built in Mentest86 in BIOS is a godsend though, saves me booting into Windows each time, only to find out 2 hours later that theres errors. Cheers, whoever thought of adding that, its a nice touch.

 

Anyway, RAM needs replaced.....so poking about the Web last night I found "1Gb G.Skill FC Series PC4400 (2.5-4-4-8) Dual Channel kit" using TCCD chips :drool: on special offer for about the same price as decent PC3200 TCCD. I figured I may as well buy that, as at least I'm 100% gauranteed of getting to 275Mhz on the RAM without worries (lol....after all, its stock speed, if it doesn't I'll just RMA the stuff).

 

So agrees that the above RAM choice is a good one? It will work with this motherboard, right?

 

Then, I realised I had a problem. My current CPU will only reach 2.4 - 2.5 Ghz, so I'll be holding the RAM back. I do however have a A64 3000+ DTR waiting here as well, but that only does 1T command rate (its an old stepping) and I'm not too sure how well it O/C's. If it can get to 2.75Ghz using a 1T command rate then that'll be the end of this story, I'll simply use the DTR processor.

 

However...whats the chances of an old stepping (E0 I believe) DTR processor hitting 2.75Ghz at 1T command rate? (even with my watercooling) Slim to none, right?

 

So.....if neither of my Socket 754 processors will do 2.7Ghz, and hold the RAM back, I'll want to replace them, wont I? Now, seeing as its becoming rather hard to buy regular Soc. 754 processors these days (out-of-stock everywhere I've looked, except the 2800+ and the 3000+) I'm toying with the idea of buying an E6 stepping Sempron. Low power comsumption, and rather well known for hitting high speeds.

 

So.....finally...my question is.....do you lot think a Sempron 3400+ E6 Stepping processor will be able to overclock to 2.7Ghz (or higher....I wont be complaining) so that the RAM I'm considering buying wont be held back by the processor?

 

Thanks for realing my long winded post btw.

[Guest Blooz1]

I would think so, but, like everything in overclocks, YMMV!

 

I've had great luck with my Sempy "D" stepping, and the new "E" stepping is supposed to have a better memory controller.

[Le_Petit_Lapin]

YMMV? :confused: Translate for the ignorant, please.

 

If I do get the Sempy, will it run games ok, even though its missing 1/2 its cache?

[klawman]

ymmv=your mileage may vary

[Le_Petit_Lapin]

Lol....I'll have to remember that one.

 

Anyway, ordered the RAM, should arrive today, I'll slap it in the PC and see if my old Newcastle 3000+ or the DTR is capable of keeping up with the RAM, and if not, I'll order a Sempy.

[cmay119]

If the 3000+ only supports the 1T command rate, than that means you're running a C0 revision clawhammer. They're known to be kinda crappy in the OC department. Usually topping out at about 2.4GHz on air (there are exceptions to this). The CG revisions usually are more promising when it comes to overclocking. Don't worry about not hitting 275MHz, you can drop the multiplier on the CPU and run it up to 275 pretty easily to make your ram run at that speed, or you can just go for raw CPU clocks on the highest multiplier it has. Then just mess with the ram timings and tighten 'em up.

 

On the other hand, the Rev E semprons seem to be very promising little chips. You'll probably get better results out of that chip over the clawhammer along with it running cooler.