RAM voltage

Matts1 · 10 Dec 2010

I am thinking of getting a new computer, and I will go with a gigabyte motherboard. They say "4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets"
I was wondering exactly what that meant. I checked the memory support list and found that some of the memory modules looked like they were 1.65v. I was wondering if I could use a 1.65v memory module (kingston Hyperx T1 2000MHz 4GB (2x2GB kit) $120)
KINGSTON 4GB Kit HyperX T1 2000Mhz DDR3 9-11-9-27 (Kit of 2X2GB) PC 16000, Kingston DDR3, DDR3, Memory, Hardware/Components, Root

TVeblen · 10 Dec 2010

The Ram will be "throttled down" to run at 1333MHz and 1.5v on default settings.

From Synnex specs:

"Each module kit has been tested to run at DDR3-2000MHz at a low latency timing of 9-11-9 at 1.65V. The SPDs are programmed to JEDEC standard latency DDR3-1333MHz timing of 9-9-9 at 1.5V. Each 240-pin DIMM uses gold contact fingers and requires +1.5V."

That also means the sticks have been tested at higher voltages and are, theoretically, good candidates for overclocking.

Matts1 · 10 Dec 2010

Does that mean I can run them at 2000 MHz or I should just go with some cheaper 1333 modules?

TVeblen · 10 Dec 2010

That means that if you want to run them at 2000 you can give it a try, providing your motherboard supports overclocking or you are an experienced maniac like a lot of the folks in this forum (who could help you with that!).

But if you are not interested in BIOS tweeks and settings then you can definitely save some money by buying the sticks that will run at the default speed and voltage.

And it's a laptop too. A lot of the laptops I've worked on don't have the BIOS settings you need to easily do any overclocking. And as you can tell, I am not a big overclocker, so if you wanted to see if it is possible to go that route you might try a new post in the Overclocking forum.

Matts1 · 10 Dec 2010

TVeblen said:

And it's a laptop too. A lot of the laptops I've worked on don't have the BIOS settings you need to easily do any overclocking. And as you can tell, I am not a big overclocker, so if you wanted to see if it is possible to go that route you might try a new post in the Overclocking forum.

What do you mean?
It isn't a laptop motherboard, I know that (used the exact same motherboard on a desktop I build for my friend). Do you mean laptop RAM? Cause I checked that and it didn't look like it (laptop ram is around 6cm long, right?). That RAM was 13 cm long.

Also, trying to run it at 2000MHz: would it produce more heat than something running at 2000MHz by default would? The motherboard does support overclocking.

TVeblen · 10 Dec 2010

Yes, I may be confused.
The OP has not specified a motherboard, only the RAM.
And his "My System Specs" say "laptop"
But he did mention a new build.
As the Lost In Space robot used to say: "Insufficient Data!"

EDIT: Oh. You backtracked through the memory list. Very clever!

Matts1 · 10 Dec 2010

TVeblen said:

Yes, I may be confused.
The OP has not specified a motherboard, only the RAM.
And his "My System Specs" say "laptop"
But he did mention a new build.
As the Lost In Space robot used to say: "Insufficient Data!"

OP: Little help?

My motherboard was not specified, but was in the URL of the memory support list (GA-P55-USB3), so I assumed you saw the model and thought it was a laptop motherboard for some reason. And, yes, this is what I am thinking of for a future computer (desktop), not my current computer (laptop).
Do you know if you can move this thread to the OC'ing section of the forums like you said?
But theoretically, do you know how OC'ing works (I've only done it on CPU) on RAM? Is it basically, lower voltage, reduced stability, reduced temp., and opp. for higher voltage? And you increase bclk/multiplier back to 2000MHz?

TVeblen · 11 Dec 2010

In my AMI BIOS I can "overclock" my RAM in one of 3 ways. AUTO, DOCP, or XMP.
I use AUTO and just select the DRAM Frequency I want to use and the BIOS makes all the adjustments. For me it looks like it just changes the DRAM multiplier - leaving the CPU multiplier and voltages alone.

That Gigabyte board I would suspect has similar capabilities, so you should be able to get faster RAM running without breaking a sweat (forget everything I said about laptops).

Running RAM that has been tested at higher speeds at lower speeds will be much more stable than the other way around. You might only be able to bump it up to 1600 0r 1833 in the real world, but that is still better than running at the default 1066MHz the i7 BIOS will start out at.

Sorry for the confusion. I was looking at similar posts at the same time and got lost!

Matts1 · 11 Dec 2010

Wait. I'm using the i5 760, not the i7 870. Does that make a difference?

TVeblen · 11 Dec 2010

It shouldn't.
The concepts remain the same.

The motherboard is the key. If it is designed to use that processor and can run RAM in OC at that speed then you should be all set.

If the BIOS has E-Z overclocking tools then it just makes it that much easier.