It makes sense to overclock the RAM. The best programs for overclocking PCs and laptops

1. An overclocked processor paired with non-overclocked memory will not provide maximum performance.
2. An example is given for overclocking “regular” DDR memory.
But if you, for example, have CeleronD and DDRII memory, then the process itself remains the same.
Only the frequency and timing parameters change (DDRII memory operates at higher frequencies with higher timings).

Frequency overclocking

1. Go to the BIOS by pressing and holding the “Delete” key at the initial moment the system boots ( to Windows boot screen).

2. “Advanced Chipset Features” - “DRAM Configuration” is a tab for editing memory timing parameters.
Next, in each line, instead of AUTO, we put the number to the right of the line.
"Row Cycle Time (tRC)" - 12.
"Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC)" - 16.
Other timings should be set for a frequency of 400 MHz.
"Power Bios" - "Memory Frequency" - DDR333 (166 MHz).

If tests fail or memory error messages pop up:

Raising memory voltage
"Power Bios" - "Memory Voltage" - 2.9v (3.0v).

Let's run the tests again.
- reduce the divisor
“Power Bios” - “Memory Frequency” - DDR266 (133 MHz) and again we test in Windows, but after that, usually the memory already works stably.

For example, the processor multiplier is 9, the overclock is 2700 MHz, the memory is set to DDR333.
Therefore, we divide 2700 by 11.
The result is 245 MHz i.e. 490 MHz DDR.

One more type of overclocking should be highlighted: lowering the multiplier (and increasing the bus frequency) in order to find the most optimal memory frequency.

Overclocking by timings

Sometimes overclocking by timing gives better results than overclocking by frequency.
So you should check both the first and second options.
Also, an increase in the main timings leads to an increase in frequency overclocking.

“Advanced Chipset Features” - “DRAM Configuration 1T\2T Memory Timing” - “1T”.
Testing on Windows.

Basic memory timings:
CAS# Latency (CL) -> 2.5T (for more expensive memory, 2.0 is possible).
RAS# To CAS# Delay (tRCD) -> 3T.
RAS# Precharge (tRP) -> 3T.
Cycle time (Tras) -> 7T.

Timings can be set below the given values ​​- it all depends only on the abilities of your memory.
And this can only be verified by testing in test packages and real applications.
For inexpensive memory (Digma/NCP/PQI) at frequencies above 400 MHz, it is advisable to set the main timings as 3.0-4-4-8, respectively.

Testing again on Windows.
If there is no stability, we increase the memory voltage and increase the timings.
Since it is difficult to choose a memory (even the same model) that would work the same way as, for example, in tests, you should independently select exactly the frequency and timings at which there would be complete stability.

We continue our week of overclocking OCWEEK15 at Hardwareluxx. The day before yesterday we published it, after which we offered it. Today we'll talk about the next component that shouldn't be overlooked: RAM. We again took three CPU test platforms and then ran tests with different memory settings. Which platform benefits best from high RAM clock speeds? Wouldn't it be better to trade high frequency for lower latency? What software will benefit from overclocking DIMMs? We will answer all these questions in our article.

The performance of a gaming computer can be significantly increased by overclocking the processor, which we have already demonstrated using the example of three processors: the flagship Core i7-5960X model, but also the less expensive Intel Core i7-4790K and AMD FX-8370e platforms. But there is another component with which you can increase productivity even higher. Modern platforms for the mass market work with DDR3 memory at frequencies of 1.600-1.866 MHz. The high-end Intel X99 platform has switched to DDR4 memory; the controller built into the CPU supports frequencies up to 2.133 MHz.

The memory market is highly competitive, and major manufacturers such as G.Skill, Corsair, Crucial or ADATA are emphasizing higher clock speeds and lower voltages, which should provide significant performance gains. High frequencies can be obtained by changing the memory divider or using the XMP profile. But what benefits will we get in practice? Does it make sense to overpay for memory sticks for gamers or overclockers?

We will compare the performance of modern memory modules at different frequencies on the X99, Z97 and 990FX platforms.

Many people mistakenly believe that installing RAM is as easy as shelling pears, there is supposedly no need to configure it, and there is no point in overclocking it at all. In reality, everything is much more complicated, and now I will tell you in the form of questions and answers how to squeeze maximum performance out of RAM.

The editors would like to thank Kingston and MSI for kindly providing memory kits and motherboards for testing.

Is it possible to combine memory of different models, brands and frequencies?

In theory, a PC can use several RAM modules not only from different manufacturers, but also with different frequencies. In this case, all memory will operate at the frequency of the slowest module. But in practice, incompatibility conflicts may arise: the PC may not start at all, or periodic OS crashes may occur. Therefore, it is better to immediately buy RAM in a set of two or four modules, especially if you plan to overclock. Modules from the same set use chips from the same batch that have identical overclocking potential.

How useful is multi-channel memory mode?

All modern Intel and AMD desktop processor platforms support at least dual-channel memory. In turn, Intel Core i7 Gulftown and Intel Xeon Nehalem and Westmere processors support three-channel mode, and AMD Opteron 6000 series, Intel Core i7 LGA 2011 and Xeon E5 and E7 support four-channel mode (eight memory slots).

The dual-channel memory mode adds 5 to 10 percent performance to the processor, while the integrated graphics accelerator adds up to 50 percent. That's why when building a super-cheap $350 gaming PC powered by an AMD A8-7600 processor with integrated Radeon R7 graphics, we strictly recommend using two memory modules.

If you have only two memory modules and a motherboard with four DIMM slots, it is important not to make a mistake with the installation order. So, in order to use the dual-channel mode, the modules need to be inserted into the connectors through one, that is, the first and third, or the second and fourth. Perhaps the second option is more universal, since the first slot can be covered by a large processor cooler, such as be quiet! Pure Rock. However, for HyperX Savage and Fury memory with low-profile radiators this is not a problem.

You can check whether the memory really works in dual-channel mode using the AIDA64 application (menu item “Test cache and memory”). The same program will help you measure memory performance before and after overclocking.

How to adjust memory frequency and timings?

Immediately after installation, the RAM often runs at its minimum frequency, or at the frequency that the processor officially supports. For example, the 2400 MHz HyperX Savage on an Intel Core i3-4130 processor ran at just 1600 MHz by default. You can set the maximum memory frequency in the motherboard BIOS settings: either manually or using Intel XMP technology (even supported by AMD motherboards).

If you manually select 2400 MHz, the memory will operate at standard timings (latencies) for this frequency of 11-14-14-33. But in practice, HyperX Savage can work stably at the same frequency with lower timings. But it is the ratio of high frequencies and low timings that guarantees high memory performance.

To avoid having to manually select the value of each timing, Intel has developed a technology called Extreme Memory Profile. It allows you to literally select the optimal memory profile, prepared in advance by the manufacturer, in literally two clicks. So, our version of HyperX Savage supports two XMP profiles: 2400 MHz 11-13-14-32 and 2133 MHz 11-13-13-30. The first is relevant, for example, for the Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard with support for memory overclocking to 3300 MHz, and the second for the MSI 970 Gaming motherboard, in which the RAM frequency is limited to 2133 MHz.

How to overclock memory?

Overclocking something (processor, video card, memory) is always a lottery: one copy can overclock well, the second one exactly the same can overclock poorly. There is no need to be afraid that the memory will fail during overclocking: if you set the frequency too high, it simply will not start.

If the motherboard does not have a function to automatically rollback overclocking settings after several unsuccessful attempts to start the PC, you can reset the settings manually using the Clear CMOS jumper (another name for JBAT).

In the case of RAM, you will have to select experimentally not only the frequency and supply voltage, but also the timings. Moreover, it is not a fact that it will be possible to select a better ratio than what is provided by the maximum XMP profile. In the case of HyperX Savage, this is exactly what happened: the memory was overclocked to a frequency of 2600 MHz, but the timings had to be increased to 12-14-15-33.

AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark

Measuring memory performance with the aforementioned AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark program before and after overclocking showed an average speed drop of 14 percent. So overclocking the memory by 200 MHz above the nominal turned out to be effective in theory, but useless in practice. But this is the case with the top 2400 MHz version of the HyperX Savage, and the lower frequency version, such as the 1600 MHz, has much better potential for manual overclocking.

Conclusions

As you can see, installing and configuring RAM correctly is not that difficult, especially if it supports ready-made XMP profiles. If you buy memory as a kit, you can get a performance boost not only from the dual-channel mode, but also from successful overclocking. To avoid incompatibility with large processor coolers, it is better to choose a low-profile RAM, especially if you plan to use the memory slot closest to the processor.

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Almost all users want to achieve the highest performance of their personal computer. A good way to improve the speed of your PC is to overclock the RAM. This is done through your motherboard's BIOS settings. Proper overclocking has several subtleties, and they are described in this article. Next, you will learn how you can overclock your RAM, how to find out the results of overclocking and how to determine the optimal parameters.

Preparing for work

“I have new RAM - how do I know what to do next to increase its frequency?” - users usually ask. Installing RAM sticks into the appropriate computer slots is a fairly simple matter and is not covered in this article. After you connect, the RAM will work at minimum speed. Manufacturers try to configure everything so that it works as reliably as possible.

Any increase in computer speed also means a decrease in stability. Correctly overclocking memory means empirically determining the optimal frequency and timings.

If you don’t want to experiment, you can find out which assembly will be optimal on thematic forums or in special articles.

In order to search the forum for the information you need, you need to find out the answers to the following questions:

• What kind of RAM do I have?
• What kind of processor do I have?
• What kind of motherboard do I have installed?

Only then will experienced users be able to find out the optimal configurations for you. The installed processor greatly affects the frequency of the RAM, and different motherboards can produce different stability indicators with the same settings.

BIOS Settings

In order to overclock the clock frequency of any computer components, users need to go to the BIOS configuration menu. To do this, follow a few simple steps described in these instructions:

Check and reconfigure

If, after trying to overclock your PC, it does not start, it means that you have set the settings too high. In this case, you need to close the special Clear CMOS (JBAT) contact located near the RAM slots with a metal object to reset the settings. In this case, set options that are slightly closer to the original profile.

After loading Windows, users will need to conduct several tests to ensure the computer's stability. This can be done using benchmarks, for example, in the Everest or AIDA64 programs. Also try running the most demanding video games and playing them for a few hours. If no errors occur, then this build is stable and you can try to overclock it again.

Despite the fact that some sources suggest downloading special programs for overclocking different types of processors (Intel or AMD), it is best to increase the CPU clock speed through the BIOS. There is no proven software that can overclock the processor. This is due to technical limitations and the fact that each “stone” has its own frequency increase standards. These may vary depending on the type of cooling used. We recommend that you find out the load capacity for the installed chip model and gradually change the values ​​using instructions written specifically for your BIOS version.

Exceeding the maximum permissible overclocking threshold may result in equipment failure.

Programs for overclocking video cards

Programs for overclocking video cards will help you change the main performance indicators on the hardware graphics card of your PC or laptop - voltage, permissible temperature, frequency of the processor and adapter memory, as well as the rotation speed of the cooler. In addition to editing parameters, these utilities allow you to view basic information about the installed equipment.

We emphasize that such programs should be used with external graphics devices that are not integrated into the processor or motherboard. Only in this case will you be able to get a measurable effect from changing the settings.

Among the proposed tools, we highlight them primarily because of their compatibility with the largest number of devices.

Programs for overclocking random access memory (RAM)

As with the processor, there are no stable utilities that can change the operating frequency of the RAM using the operating system. You need to edit these parameters through the BIOS; moreover, it is important that the new frequency is supported not only by the memory, but also by the motherboard. You can read the instructions for changing frequencies in the user manual for your motherboard.

You may come across the opinion that there are programs for overclocking “old” RAM (DDR) on laptops, but we were unable to find working versions of such utilities.

Programs to improve disk performance

The main factors influencing the performance of hard drives are its current state and file layout.

You can check the current state by S.M.A.R.T. analysis and, if necessary, format the device “correctly” using the HDD Low Level Format Tool; it scored the most points in our thematic one.

In addition, the performance of classic hard drives depends on how evenly the data is distributed over the surface. Many different system utilities contain a file structuring (defragmentation) function. Among the specialized solutions, we highlight and.

Windows optimization programs

We previously discussed utilities that will help optimize the operating system in a separate section.

Other Factors Affecting Performance

If you use external devices, do not forget that the communication speed depends on the protocol used. For example, it is better to connect modern phones and flash drives to a USB port that is compatible with the 3.0 protocol; it is blue.

Also, do not forget that due to the presence of malware, the computer may noticeably slow down. To protect your system, we recommend using antivirus programs; we have also dedicated a separate section to them.