Intel C2D E7200...

[1031982]

I little while ago, I was forced to build a new system (I wanted to wait for the newer tech like the i7, but my old system was failing) and I got what fit the budget, allowing some nice head room for later on. Well, I got the C2D E7200 and was happy, until I found it's not really being sold at all and was basically replaced with the E7400.
As far as I can tell, the only difference between the two is the clock settings. I am wondering if it would be safe to clock my CPU with the stock HSF to the settings of the E7400.

Forgot, I can't raise the multiplier any higher, only the frequency.

[Max_87]

E7200 will do 2.8GHz at stock voltage/HSF easily.

You will need to increase the FSB to 295MHz in order to hit 2.8GHz. If you ram doesn't like the higher frequency, use the 1:1 FSB:RAM ratio.

[1031982]

Ok then, I will go ahead and clock it up.
Only thing about the RAM, I have DDR2 667 so the FSB is quicker then the RAM already.

I do however want to get some new RAM to match the FSB. I plan to replace what I have and get a new pare to add up to 4GB total.

[1031982]

Ok, my RAM in unable to keep up, and causes errors in Prime95. The first core errors out, and seeing how I multi task when doing video encoding, I can't have that happening.
A Memtest run verified it. Returning to stock settings eliminates the errors. That's what I get for getting Value Select RAM.

[Max_87]

Originally Posted by 1031982

Ok then, I will go ahead and clock it up.
Only thing about the RAM, I have DDR2 667 so the FSB is quicker then the RAM already.

I do however want to get some new RAM to match the FSB. I plan to replace what I have and get a new pare to add up to 4GB total.

If you use the 1:1 ratio, your DDR2 667(333MHz) RAM will be running at 295MHz, which is still slightly underclocked. Your DDR2 667 will work just fine if you want to hit 2.8GHz, just make sure u choose the 1:1 FSB:RAM ratio (the actual speed, not the effective speed, for example 295FSB(effective 1180MHz):295RAM(effective 590MHz).

IMO no point running high RAM speed to match the effective FSB speed, no real benefit in real world usage.

[1031982]

Well, Prime has been running for 2 hours on both cores without a problem with it being 1:1.

I can't help but wonder if I should try to get a OC at 3GHz and leave it at that. I want a CPU at that speed eventually, this would keep me from having to get a new CPU entirely for a while.

Is going to that frequency safe for the chip? Heck, then I can just get another pare of 1GB sticks instead of getting 2GB sticks.

Update :
I can't seem to get get a completely stable overclock at 3.0GHz. Still, the 2.8 is good enough to last me for a while.
Now, with that being done, would getting a new, good pare of 1066MHz RAM allow me to get to 3.0GHz with the stock HSF and voltage?

[Max_87]

Even at 3GHz (316x9), assuming you are still running 1:1 ratio, your DDR2 667 ram is still very slightly underclocked. So I think your E7200 needs a slight voltage increase to achieve stability.

Unless the voltage increase is significant, I don't think you need a HSF upgrade. Your E7200 should do 3GHz just fine with the stock HSF and slightly increased voltage.

[Chai]

That's odd. I would expect it to do higher without any problem.

[1031982]

Well, upping the voltage was something I figured I wouldn't have to do, and it would simply go to the max of 1.3625 if it was needed. I raised the voltage higher, but it's not hitting 1.3 at all and it passed the original crash point in Prime.

Also, because I don't see getting anything with a FSB higher then 1333, it looks as though I should just stick with good DDR2 667 speeds. Anything higher looks to be a waste of money as I have no intention of ever running RAM higher then the stock settings. Is that a good plan?

[Chai]

Check the temperature to see if that's the problem.