RAM Timing incorrect?!? And CPU FSB Question?

Question

Hey guys,
CPU-Z, Everest and any other computer-analyzing program read that my OCZ DDR2-6400 800MHZ CL4 Platinum rev 2.2
is actually running at cl5? (is that possible?) is the reading misinterpreted ? I checked the bios, it says CL5, but the ram I bought is CL4,
advertised as CL4 and also says so on the box of the ram itself.

In almost of all the program I see a chart that says something like this:
267MHZCL3
333MHZCL4
400MHZCL5

(WHY do they false advertise then if this is true?)

Is it safe to change the ram from 5-5-5-15 to 4-4-4-12?
(it was advertised as such, so it should be safe?) - and if I do that, should I increase the voltage (by 0.1v?, i think it runs on 1.8) or let the motherboard use it's Auto settings with the voltages (Mobo: GA965PDS3).

Question about the CPU FSB:
If I up my fsb to 333 and lower my multiplier to 7 (keeping the same exact 2400MHZ) - will that count as overclocking and break my warranty?
I just want to increase my fsb to 1333 (my motherboard supports it).

(Ran out of room) - Thanks in advance!

As for the CPU - Mine is a Core 2 Duo E6600 at default clocks using the fan that came with the processor.

Answer 1

Not only is it possible, but I would surprised if it wasn't running at CL5 if you have not manually set it to 4. RAM out of the box will run at 1.8V, which is not enough to run it at high performance settings, so it defaults to the more moderate CL5. You should go ahead and change the timings manually to 4-4-4-12, and the voltage to 2.1V, because that is the voltage that RAM is supposed to run at.

As for the FSB, yes that still counts as overclocking, so yes it will break your warranty. That doesn't at all mean I don't recommend it, as long as you know what you are doing and you have adequate cooling, you can very easily overclock that processor with little to no danger of damaging it, in fact go to 333 and keep the multiplier at 9, it will run there, once again assuming you have good cooling.

Answer 2

Your high performance RAM will only run STABLE at 4-4-4-12 if you manually set the voltage also to its designed voltage (2.1V/2.2V EVP). If you use "Auto Settings" motherboards tend to set it to that of regular ddr2-800 CL5. Change the settings in BIOS, otherwise you just wasted your money running that expensive RAM like a typical ddr2-800. The advertisement is true, just a bit challenging for non-gamers or newbies to fully understand.

Yes, you can overclock fsb and still retain stock processor speed by reducing multiplier. But there is little to gain from that exercise. Highest performance gain comes from increasing processor speed. Overclocking itself does not damage the processor. It is the HEAT that causes damage, even if processor is not overclcocked. And it is the overvolting that causes higher heat generation. Overclocking is SAFE if you stay within stock voltages. Superb cooling is the key to great overclocks especially when you overvolt.
This might be of help:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/newbie-oc-guide.html