Ok, first off, I'm not a newbie to OCing and happen to know quite a bit, so I do know that when it comes to RAM, timings are as important as speed, and getting low timings with a high speed is something not achieved unless you have good RAM. Find me someone who can OC a Transcend value RAM 800 Mhz RAM to 1066 Mhz and keep timings at 4-4-4-12 and I will rest my case. This is of course, highly possible with a set of say, crucials.
Also, you said it yourself. A faster HDD does not matter, and you're not allowed to increase the clock speed any further. So what scope are you giving to competitors anyway? The only thing left is RAM, and even that speed is restricted because a 1:1 ratio of FSB:RAM offers the highest performance, so when you look at it, it all comes down to timing, which, of course depends on how good your RAM is.
In your analogy above, you have quite clearly used different coolers. It's common courtesy to read something before replying to it, and if you had read what I had said, then you would have figured out that it would only be fair to compare users with the same coolers.
Ok, first off, I'm not a newbie to OCing and happen to know quite a bit, so I do know that when it comes to RAM, timings are as important as speed, and getting low timings with a high speed is something not achieved unless you have good RAM. Find me someone who can OC a Transcend value RAM 800 Mhz RAM to 1066 Mhz and keep timings at 4-4-4-12 and I will rest my case. This is of course, highly possible with a set of say, crucials. -----> I never said you are a noob.Even i know what difference timings make.I can say this confidently from my experience, that for SuperPi, CPU speed makes the most difference, tighter memory shaves negligible time,nothing compared to what a bump to CPU speed would shave off. So by limiting the CPU speed, we are trying to make it as fair as possible for all participants.
Also, you said it yourself. A faster HDD does not matter, and you're not allowed to increase the clock speed any further. So what scope are you giving to competitors anyway? The only thing left is RAM, and even that speed is restricted because a 1:1 ratio of FSB:RAM offers the highest performance, so when you look at it, it all comes down to timing, which, of course depends on how good your RAM is.------> You are talking as if RAM tweaking is a walk in the park
Also Pi timings dont revolve around RAM timings, there are other tweaks too,if the user knows them that is
In your analogy above, you have quite clearly used different coolers. It's common courtesy to read something before replying to it, and if you had read what I had said, then you would have figured out that it would only be fair to compare users with the same coolers.------> Even you should have thought before making such a comment that since this is an online competition, it is not possible for us to keep a physical check on whether participants are not cheating when it comes to cooling part (If clock speed capping is not done)
most overclockers (99%) would be on upgraded air coolers...its rare to find anyone using stock coolers these days..
prohibit water cooler usage and allow air coolers atleast..instead of caping clock speed.----------> Wouldnt mind doing that, could you devise a mechanism as to keep a check on whether people are sticking to Air cooling and not water cooling or something better ?
Also,think about it, IF a user has QX, he can just play with the multipliers, clock high on even Air cooling with a decent board,doesnt even need to touch memory timings tweaks,and wins the competition,why ? because he had an unlocked multiplier ? Would that be fair ?
@ring_wraith, now that you have brought up the topic of memory clocking at high speeds at tight timings, well even with high performance kits its not guranteed.
There is expensive kits, which love high speeds but no matter what you do, just HATE tight timings.Some kits behave exactly in the opposite fashion.
Nothing is guranteed.Also to do tight timings, you need volts, not all ICs love volts, only micron do.Elpida hates anything above 2.1V whereas micron is happily clocking even with 2.6-2.7
So you see there are lot of variables involved.Also your comments try to indicate that tweaking the primary 4 timings is all it takes to better your score, let me tell you, thats not true.There are Secondary timings,tweaking which gives you great boosts,these CAN be done on value ram.
I hope i have clarified your doubts.
Also, i request you to submit some scores instead of debating the rules of the competition as we are not going to change it.
