Here's my current specs
So the first thing that strikes me is that the ram is running dual channel at only 531mhz. The ram is
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147096 this] 8gb 1.35v 1600mhz + 4gb of dells stock 1333mhz oem ram. Why is it going down to 500mhz? Shouldn't it be able to go at 1600?
My other question is will I be able to overclock it? This is running on dells stock xps 7100 motherboard/cpu, do you think they limited it to the stock rates? What new parts would I need to get to overclock? If I need to upgrade the cpu I'd probably get a fx 8350/8320, but I'd rather (hopefully) just keep the phenom and see if I can overclock it. Maybe if I buy a new motherboard?
But then I read that the motherboard and OS are tied togetehr, would I need to buy windows 7/windows 8 again?
Thanks. :)
The motherboard and the OS arent essentially tied together, but you're going to encounter some problems if you switch the motherboard without a clean install of windows to go with it. If you bought your computer from some retailer you should be able to find the Windows 7 key on the side of your computer or in a manual somewhere, and then just download the ISO for free from Microsoft's website. I would definitely suggest getting a new CPU as that would be something slowing stuff down.
Alrighty, with the RAM, I'll have to look into the board and what it supports.
If you put in 1333 and 1600 at the same time, the ram will run at the lowest speed of the two, but you may have to adjust it in the BIOS.
I wouldn't recommend overclocking on the stock Dell board... Unless anyone else disagrees?
Also, if you wan to upgrade to an FX series chip, you may want to check whether your motherboard will actually support those CPUs.
the ram speed is actually 531 x2. I doubt you can overclock on it, most OEM boards lock the CPU speed/voltages. If you have the Windows key you can likely use it again if you get your hands on a windows ISO file that matches it.
DDR = Double Data Rate =]
youre rams running on 1066mhz probabley it will support upto 1333mhz.
but if you want it on 1600mhz you have to set the timings manualy.
11-11-11-28 at 1.35V but im allmost for sure that wont work, im allmost sure you need to set them on atleast 1.5V and then its the queastion, will the mainboard like it or not, i guess not cause its just a hell/dell
Ok I'll get a new motherboard then, and probably some faster ram. Will the cpu, the phenom 820, be able to overclock with a new motherboard? I'm pretty sure the fx series processors need an am3+ motherboard, so this stock dell one wouldn't work definitely.
Oh so the 531mhz was actually half of the speed? That makes sense. Would there be a lot of a difference between the speeds, 1062, 1333 and 1600 (or higher if I get some faster ram)?
will not notice much gain after 1600 for ram just look for low latency that is what gives the biggest edge.
cas9 at 1600 beats cas11 at 1866 if you can find cas 9 1866 then thats what i would go with for a fx cpu. if it breaks the bank to get cas9 1866 then get cas9 1600. and for the love of god if you get a fx cpu get a 990 chipset.
Yea definitely get a 990. Will the samsung 'magic' 1.35v ram be able to like 'overclock' or whatever the term is to be cas 9 instead of 11?
