Urgent RAM question: SandyBridge 1.5v or 1.65v?

Computer_Freak

Computer_Freak

Active Member
Hey Guys

Been a while since posting here

Gonna be ordering my Core i7 2600k this week, but i have one small issue. The Ram

The Rams that my supplier gets are all DDR3, but the voltage is 1.65. Now the motherboard (Getting a Gigabyte P67A-UD5-B3) says that i need RAM modules that run at 1.5v.

Now ive been reading around and each place differs. Some says SB will run fine at 1.65v, others say run it strictly at 1.5v (+-5%), some say that the +-5% thing is only for nehalems

now i need to know, is it fine getting RAM rated for higher voltage, or do i have to get RAM rated at 1.5v. Alternatively, can i get RAM spec'd at higher voltage and just downclock it (which it does automatically and defeats the purpose, but what the hell)

Thanks guys
 
From what I'm reading it's not recommended to run over 1.5v, they say it will limit the lifespan of the CPU. That said, they say that about a lot of things.
 
yeah, they say the Intel Memory Controller will die out from over voltage, especially if planning to use all ram slots, which i am, 8gb of RAM goodness, RAM will no longer be an issue... ever...
 
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Do you have 4 slots? It's recommended that you get 2 x 4GB to reduce heat and have it faster since its in dual-channel.

1.5v is the standard. Anything over that, and the manufacturer is trying to get better timings than it would being just 1.5v. I would go with 1.5v, and get it somewhere else rather than your supplier.
 
hmmm, ok, then ill do that. Yes the P67 mobos have 4 slots, im planning to fill each one with 2 gigs (2 dual channels, 4 gigs in each)

hmmm, then ill have to find other ram, or just stick1333 in htere (they 1.5 volt)
 
whats the difference between tested and SPD voltage?

cause on gigabytes site, under recommended memory, there are a few corsair modules that are stated as tested at 1.65v but SPD at 1.5v (then tested speed is 1600Mhz but SPD is 1333Mhz)

this is soo confusing...
 
Tested is what they ran it at in their lab, SPD is the settings programmed to be automatically set.
 
hmm, ok cool, so then ill get a DDR3 1600, and see if it can run at 1.5v at 1600, otherwise, i guess it will just be undervolted and underclocked...

cool thanks guys!! gonna get DDR3 1600
 
hey bigfella! been a while!!!

hopefully i can do the same on my mobo. if worst comes to worst, ill return the ram sticks and get 1333mhz, but right now i have decided on the 1600mhz...
 
You'll be able to set the vdimm and vcore seperately, the warnings are there because of the memory controller being integrated in the CPU :)
 
Just to add to the above, leave the vcore alone, mine runs at 4.7ghz without any voltage changes.
 
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