I've been hearing different RAM can affect your cpu overclock and I stuck between http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145176 and I want to know which one would be better for overclocking a say... q6600 or a q9400. I dont really want to overclock the RAM itself but just the CPU. one more question, Is 1066MHz RAM really that better than 800MHz RAM or is the performance difference minimal? Thanks
The furthest you will be able to go with 800mhz memory is 400FSB, as 2.0x is the minimum multiplier for DDR memory. As such, you will be limited to 3.6Ghz with a Q6600 (no big issue, as Q6600s can't often get that far anyway), or 3.2Ghz with a Q9400 (a big problem, Q9400s can go much further than that) I'd recommend you spend the extra for PC8500 and a Q9400, as the Q9400 is the much faster chip. This is what I recommend you get: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145214
Thanks I'll think on it. the 3.6GHz (not expecting to get that far) sounds pretty good but how high could I possibly get the q9400 with the PC8500 RAM?
As high as the CPU or board will let you really. I think 3.64Ghz should be pretty easy, you might make it as far as 3.8.
Would this RAM be good for overclocking because its 1066. Ive heard that it dosent overclock well but it is 1066MHz so my FSB should still max out at about 533MHz right? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166 Im also upgrading my MOBO to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358 which would allow crossfire in the future because my 550vx PSU should be able to handle it.
That's correct, 1066mhz memory due to the way it is constructed does not overclock very well at all, but it doesn't need to. You can overclock a system to the max with it. The only possible CPU 1066 RAM isn't enough for is a QX9770, as it will be limited to 4.26Ghz (only, haha), and since the QX9770 is an absolute fortune anyway, you'll be fine. In reality, 533FSB for a motherboard to achieve is very rare with any Quad core, usually they top out at 505 anyway. The EP45-UD3P is a good board, especially for overclocking Quads. Crossfire is up to you really. I never approved of the 'one now, crossfire later' approach as usually by the time you buy the second card, it would be no more expensive to take the old card out and put a new single one in. The only reason I did it is that nothing has yet eclipsed the HD4870X2 despite it having been out for 8 months...
