Can I OC my Mushkin 1600Mhz (996679)

[nate42nd]

I really don't know the first thing about overclocking RAM. I got (what I think) some good RAM. Mushkin 996679 1600Mhz 7-8-7-20. I have set the timings in the BIOS and am now looking for the next step. I am very confused about this. I hear so many warnings about OCing RAM. Is there a GOOD guide somwhere on OCing dual channel DDR3 on a P55 Mobo? Thanks , I can't change the title now but it's not "can I OC" it's (HOW can I OC it)

[MushkinSean]

There's not too much available yet for overclocking P55, after all it was only released a few weeks ago. However P55 is not that much different than any other platform as far as overclocking.

Are you overclocking the CPU? or is the CPU still at default?

[nate42nd]

No, the board supports 1333 natively and I have adjusted the multipliers and timings to get the RAM to 1600. The CPU is an i7 860 running at 3.7 but i have kept the RAM down to 1600 or below because I don't want instability. I just don't know how to GET stability with RAM

I have just never OCd RAM so I was not sure where to start and if this RAM can safely OC.

If there is an easy guide or video it would be good. Thanks for the reply MushkinSean.

I have to leave now but I will be back early tomorrow morning so I will get any reply. Thanks

[MushkinSean]

Yes you can overclock this ram, the keys to ram stability on the 1156 platform is QPI/VTT and memory voltage.
QPI/VTT is the memory controller voltage, as you increase the frequency of the ram you need to increase the QPI/VTT. You'll likely need 1.3V - 1.35V in the 1600+ range for stability.
Memory voltage should stay around 1.65V
Make sure that you test for stability with a stress testing program like OCCT or Prime, you can get them here

[nate42nd]

Oh, thank you so much. It IS 1600 already. What is a reasonable goal without risking hardware damage at all? 1800? 2000?

Am I risking damage it if I stay at 1.65V for the memory and just play with the QPI/VTT?

[MushkinSean]

1800 is a reasonable goal, you might make it to 2000. Somewhere around 1700 you will need to loosen the timings to go higher, try 7-9-7-20 or 8-9-8-24.
You won't harm your hardware if you keep the memory at 1.65V, more than that is technically out of warranty specs. These sticks tend to error out if the voltage is too high anyway, as Lsdmeasap pointed out in his review.
If you do make it to 2000 you may need up to 1.45V QPI/VTT for stability, make sure you have good cooling, no default cooler will handle that.

[nate42nd]

Thank you very much Sean. You are a good man. I'm glad I got this RAM. I will recommend it to friends. Also, you mean cooling on the memory right. This setup will not do? I need cooling on the RAM. Here's what I have.

[MushkinSean]

Sorry, I meant CPU cooling.
As you increase the CPU/VTT your CPU temp will increase because it is part of the CPU.
Doesn't look like you need to worry though, you have lots of cooling