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At OCZ we take performance seriously. OCZ Performance series DDR modules are the finest memory modules available. We hand pick each dram chip and build our modules using low noise 6 layer and ultra low noise shielded printed circuit board. Each module is then hand tested for operation at our rated speed. We provide both industry standard spec modules and overclocking modules.
We are providing this guide to performance enthusiasts along with links to more detailed information to assist end users of OCZ Performance Series DDR modules in maximizing there system performance. We have divided this guide into several sections to help you find the information you need more quickly. This guide is always updated as we attempt to provide users with the most useful and up to date information and support available.
Getting Up To Speed
OCZ Performance Series DDR Modules are available in 133(266), 166(333), 200(400), 217(434), 233(466), 250(500), 266(533) and 275(550) MHz speed grades. OCZ modules are built with the performance enthusiast in mind and therefore are often rated to speeds far in excess of what most motherboards can handle. Please check our motherboard listing to see if you motherboard is listed and what speed memory it is capable of running.
Motherboard Support
If your motherboard has official support (IE; PC2700,PC3200 support) you should have few problems running your OCZ performance modules at the rated speed (If you’re having problems with a motherboard with official support for the speed you’re running, please check our troubleshooting section ). However if your motherboard does not officially support the rated speed, then there are several things you can do to maximize your memory bandwidth by increasing the FSB on your motherboard. Some motherboards do not have adjustable FSB, if your motherboard does not have adjustable FSB you should go directly to our memory timings section.
Maximizing Your Memory Bandwidth By FSB Adjustment
This section will concentrate on safely and effectively running you motherboard above its normal FSB specification (FSB Over clocking). When over clocking you may have mixed results. We provide a list of Intel and AMD motherboards that we have tested. You may not have the same results we have, but you can gain a general understanding of the maximum FSB of each motherboard we have tested there. Here are some steps to help you achieve the maximum stable FSB your motherboard is capable of.
- Make certain you are using a good quality power supply. Low end power supplies may interfere with your ability to over clock your motherboard
- Lower your ram timings in your motherboard settings bios menu or if available set them to default, this is the best way to determine the maximum FSB speed your motherboard is capable of running. Faster timings will result in better performance at any given bus speed however they will also lower the maximum FSB. Read more about memory timings in our memory timing section
- Running multiple modules will result in a lower overall maximum FSB. For more information please read tech note "Increased RAM density effects on performance"
- Make certain to read your motherboard manual to find out which DIMM slots to populate and in which order to populate them
- Slowly increase your FSB testing at each speed for stability before increasing the speed again
- Some motherboards may require an increase in your DDR voltage to run high FSB. We do not recommend running your DDR voltage above 2.8
- If, for some reason, your results do not seem up to par, please try our troubleshooting section.
PC4400/PC4200/PC4000/PC3700/PC3500/PC3200/PC2700/PC2100 Recommended Settings
Below you will find recommended settings for OCZ PC4400, PC4200, PC4000, PC-3700, PC-3500, PC-3200, PC-3000 and PC-2700 memory. Attempts to run your module at faster timings may result in overall lower front bus speeds.
| Timing | CAS | Trp | Trcd | Tras | FSB (Mhz) | | PC2100 Permier | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 133 | | PC2700 Performance Rev 3.2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 166 | | PC2700 Premier | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 166 | | PC3200 EB Platinum | 2.5 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 200 | | PC3200 EL | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 200 | | PC3200 EL Platinum | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 200 | | PC3200 Performance 1GB | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 200 | | PC3200 Performance Rev 3 | 2/2.5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 200 | | PC3200 Premier | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 200 | | PC3500 EB Platinum | 2.5 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 217 | | PC3500 EL | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 217 | | PC3500 Performance | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 217 | | PC3700 EB Platinum | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 233 | | PC3700 EL | 2.5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 233 | | PC3700 Performance | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 233 | | PC4000 EL | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 250 | | PC4000 EL Gold | 2.5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 250 | | PC4200 Performance | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 266 | | PC4400 EL Gold | 2.5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 275 | | PC4400 Performance | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 275 |
Improving Memory Performance By Increasing Memory Timings (CL)
A combination of increasing your memory timings and raising your FSB speed is the most efficient way to maximize your memory performance. Try to keep in mind that the faster your memory timings the lower your motherboards maximum FSB. The steps below will help you increase your ram performance at any given bus speed, please follow the steps in our" Maximizing your memory bandwidth by FSB adjustment” section before moving forward.
- After determining the maximum FSB your motherboard is capable of, lower your FSB approximately 10%
- After lowering your FSB you should the raise your CAS timing from 2.5 to 2, you should then test the ram for stability at that speed, if stable raise the FSB slowly until you determine the maximum speed at CAS 2
- You may also consider raising some of your other timings; however we recommend you read the article listed here beforehand
- Always keep in mind that the faster you set your memory timings the slower you will be able to run your modules
Tech Notes
"Increased RAM density effects on performance" Quoted from lostcircuits.com
"The main advantage of using a single DIMM as opposed to two DIMMs is that the clock signal to unused DIMM slots can be shut down in the BIOS by enabling PCI/DIMM CLK auto detect. Therefore, the clock signal does not need to be diluted to the individual DIMM slots. In case several DIMMs are being used, this advantage is partially lost, depending on the number of DIMMs and slots available. Nonetheless, adding twice the amount of load in form of capacitors that make up the memory cells will cause a hit with regard to the highest frequency possible which is why, in general, 256 MB DIMMs are slower than 128 MB DIMMs."
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