n00b:Best settings for E6600, Mushkin XP2-6400 4-3-3-10 RAM and Asus P5W DH Deluxe

[Jason404]

Now that my machine (built mid-2006) is getting a bit old, I want to try overclocking it, but do not know where to start. I would at least like to know what sort of settings I should be using on my RAM.

When I built my machine, I bought some pretty expensive RAM:

2 x 1GB Mushkin XP2-6400 4-3-3-10
http://www.mushkin.com/doc/products/...ail.asp?id=350

As you can see from the reviews on that page, it can be pushed quite far, but in ways that I do not understand. All I have been doing with it is running it as PC2-7200, as it seems to work okay like that, but I have no idea if doing so is actually a good idea. It says on that page that this RAM can run at 1066Mhz. Isn't that something I should be doing with a E6600?

Can anybody suggest what approach I should look into, with this RAM, and the hardware that I have? (see sig)

I need more RAM, but I cannot find the same type where I am. I have found some 2 x 2GB sticks of the same type, but rated at 4-4-4-12.
http://www.mushkin.com/doc/products/...ail.asp?id=634

Would adding this slightly slower(?) RAM to my system confuse things, or change the possibilities of what I can do with overclocking? I do plan to get this RAM anyway, as I need it.

I'd really appreciate it if anybody could suggest what I should do.

Also, does anybody know of any well-explained guides to all this sort of thing for n00bs?

Cheers

[Jason404]

I suppose this is too basic a question to be much fun answering, but I am still at a loss to whether I shoudl get the slightly slower memory or not.

[Krohling]

Yes, it's a little basic since you're new to Core 2 Duo overclocking.

There are some guides over here... The first 4 stickies.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...play.php?f=224

Start here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=147164

Other threads:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=133706
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=115765
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=114824

When you gather some information you'll se it's easier to overclock than to explain it

If you're going to overclock 2x2GB + 2x1GB it's possible one RAM will hold the overclock at certain FSB (Front Side Bus).
The RAM timing (4-4-4-12 x 4-3-3-10) is not really an issue as certainly the faster RAM can run with more slow timings and possibly achieve higher FSBs with those higher timings.

And its more likely you overclock better 4GB (2x2GB) or 2GB (2x1GB) instead of 6GB.
I would use 4GB as 6GB seems a bit overkill IMO.

[Jason404]

Thanks a lot for the reply, Krohling. I think I'll get the 4GB kit then. Cheers for the links too..