RAM voltage

[Matts1]

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]

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]

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

 

[TVeblen]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[TVeblen]

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.

 

[Matts1]

I'm not 100% sure if it does but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't (however it does support OC'ing

 

[sygnus21]

Since you have a Gigabyte motherboard have a look here..... GIGABYTE

They are very knowledgable as that's where I got my start for my motherboard. See my system specs.

One thing I will say though is do a lot of reading BEFORE attempting to do any overclocks. I can tell you what to do, but unless you have a basic understanding, you could do more harm.

You can get some basics looking at this... http://www.sevenforums.com/overclocking-case-mods/5772-core-i7-920-940-overclocking-guide.html. Again, check out the Gigabyte forums since you have a Gigabyte board.

And yes, you motherboard does overclock.

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

Gigabyte uses EasyTune6 - GIGABYTE - Support & Downloads - Utility - Motherboard

 

[Matts1]

I can just ask my family. My dad has done OC'ing on a i7 950 to 4.11GHz stable with an asus p6t deluxe v2 and my uncle on a phenom II quad core

 

[sygnus21]

You asked....

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?

In addition to TVeblen's posts, I replied....

Since you have a Gigabyte motherboard have a look here..... GIGABYTE

They are very knowledgable as that's where I got my start for my motherboard. See my system specs.

One thing I will say though is do a lot of reading BEFORE attempting to do any overclocks. I can tell you what to do, but unless you have a basic understanding, you could do more harm.

You can get some basics looking at this... http://www.sevenforums.com/overclocking-case-mods/5772-core-i7-920-940-overclocking-guide.html. Again, check out the Gigabyte forums since you have a Gigabyte board.

And yes, you motherboard does overclock.

Now you say....

I can just ask my family. My dad has done OC'ing on a i7 950 to 4.11GHz stable with an asus p6t deluxe v2 and my uncle on a phenom II quad core

:shock:

 

[smarteyeball]

They say "4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets"
I was wondering exactly what that meant.

That's just the standard specs.

4 x = 4 DIMM slots on mobo

1.5v = DDR3 standard minimum voltage required for RAM modules. 1.5v is the minimum spec for 1066/1333mhz DDR3 RAM etc

DDR3 = You've probably guessed this. Only runs DDR3 RAM

Is it basically, lower voltage, reduced stability, reduced temp.,

Lower volts are generally only needed for when running low speeds / loose timings. Lower volts doesn't always mean reduced stability.


At low speeds + low volts, stability is not really an issue because the RAM is not really being 'pushed'.


Higher volts are typically required for the higher speeds or tighter timings because the Ram is being pushed harder.


RAM temps aren't really much of an issue, or worth worrying about unless pumping some serious voltage through them ie 1.85v+ etc


Also, overall mhz isn't what's important. What's more important is CAS Latency timings.

 

[Matts1]

Yes, I can ask my family. But I don't see them very often.
And I knew what they meant by all of that except the voltage. Thanks
Also, to keep the temp. down, my dad upped the multiplier and bclk but lowered voltage. I believe it is currently running at 1.25v (originally 1.35 or something).

 

[sygnus21]

What is is running at 1.25? The CPU?

Hopefully smarteyeball answered some of your questions? As I said, if you want to get into overclocking with that board, check the Gigabyte forums they have outstanding support. I know

They also have templates that you can use to help you get started.

 

[Dave76]

Your last post confirmed what smarteyeball posted above that, you will see better performance from tighter timings than from higher MHz and voltage.

Most people that are new to overclocking just want some numbers to plug into their BIOS that will make their system run faster. I'm afraid it's not that simple, in fact it can cause permanent damage to components.

All components, CPU, RAM, motherboard components, etc. have different capabilities.
You can buy two sets of RAM you have posted, one set might OC to 2000 MHz, 1.65v, at JEDEC timings and run trouble free. The next set may not run well without some tweaking, small setting adjustments and lots of stability testing, this is just the way it is.

The Gigabyte forum has a lot of good information on how to OC, examples and walk through for first timers.
The auto OC tuners work fairly well for small OCs, anything in the medium to extreme range will have very high voltage settings and may not even run stable. This is why if you want to push it very far you need to learn the procedures and do lots of testing.

If you want a good running system with minimal time spent on OC'ing, less than 30 hours including all the reading to understand what you will need to do, I would recommend getting 1600MHz, 1.5v, RAM with the tightest (lowest numbers) timings you can find.

For OC'ing you will need to get the more expensive models of RAM, they have better components and will take less tweaking to run stable.
Then, there is no guarantee that any high spec/price component will OC well.

 

[sygnus21]

Well said dave.

One thing I want to say though is most RAM running at 1600MHz (i5/i7 processors/1366/1156 chipsets) won't run on anything less then 1.6volts, or if they run, won't run at that speed stable.

I say that because most performance RAM (above 1066/1333MHz) usually requires the higher voltages. I know Corsair's does. I have my Corsair Dominator sticks running at 1600MHz, 8-8-8-20-1 @ 1.64volts. The specs for the RAM is 8-8-8-24, 1.65v.

Anyway I agree with your sentiment about learning and starting out small. And yeah, tweak town's GIGABYTE forum is pretty good.

 

[Matts1]

Yes, the CPU was running at 1.25v.
And I think everything I need to know is solved. Thanks