So.... I read the CPC review of Sandy Bridge and was of course mightily impressed. However, it clearly states in that issue (CPC 090) that "As with previous LG1156 CPUs, you need memory rated at 1.65V - this means that if you currently have an LGA1156 system, you can carry the memory across to your new LGA1155 rig". So as an LGA1156 owner I thought this was all good. I am now starting to read threads here however that indicate that it is advisable to use RAM rated at 1.5V. Result: one confused bit-techer. Edit: If I move to SB I intend to oc the2500K, what impact would the current RAM I use have?
Yes I read that thread... would prefer some answers and debate on the issue of what CPC published versus what is being said on BT as opposed to a link to a thread of name calling....
my understanding is that all core-series CPUs are designed for 1.5v memory, but the LGA1156 stuff can handle running the higher volt 1.65 RAM without long term side effects. sandy bridge is a little more picky, with a fault tolerance of only 5%. meaning 1.59v 1.57v should be the max voltage you run your memory at. ive scoured the web and come across quite a few people saying they are running 1.65v kit in their SB rigs and its been OK. i have SB bits on the way with corsair XMS 1.65v RAM. i personally will be lowering the voltage on my RAM as far as i can without loosing stability. if i cant get it under 1.6v at the rated timings i will probably send it back and get some G.Skill 1.5v sticks. EDIT: changed "1.59v" to "1.57v", my bad.
Thanks for this. I think my specific question is, with CPC having stated that 1.65V is ok with SB, will I in theory be ok running it alongside an oc'd 2500K? I'm well aware that the specific CPU and how I go about the oc will be down to me, but I'd like to start on some fairly safe ground knowledge-wise.
its up to you to take the risk. intels spec calls for no higher than 1.57v. after that your taking matters into your own hands. some people report no problems at 1.65v, it would seem others have. why not try under volting your ram and see if you can obtain the rated timings at an "acceptable" voltage?
Yes that what I figured would be a good first step rather than the pain of changing the RAM. Guess I'm slightly put out that it stated very clearly in the CPC review that the RAM I have would be absolutely fine.
its a magazine, written by people. although its a very good magazine written by great people...that doesnt mean they are incapable of mistakes. SB is still in its infancy. theres a lot to be learned yet and im sure specs and recommendations will continue to change. ill personally be taking it easy on my volts for a while. i have no problem letting the other guys e-peen their chips into oblivion and find the safe general limits for me
Really? I've never heard of a dead CPU because of the memory controller specifically failing tbh (very rarely a dead Intel CPU under any normal circumstances tbh). I've never had issues with using 1.65V ram either: 2500k or 2600k. The rule is 0.5V between System Agent area and DDR3. The SA runs about 1.08V, which makes about 1.58V = ~1.6V, but 1.65V certainly won't kill it. If you're really worried and ocing anyway, bump the SA voltage a touch. If it was really that bad Intel would forbid anything above 1.55V, yet there's XMP stuff out there at 1.65V
For anyone still following this topic: ive successfully undervolted my corsair XMS3 to 1.5v and it passed memtest plus a couple days of general usage by my fiancée. its running at the rated timings and speeds memtest doesnt seem to like sandy bridge (or at least the UD3). all of my frequencies were reported as 0mhz, the memory timings were really wacky (like 21-26-22-34), and it claimed i was running triple channel. but it did run the tests none the less. i cant be 100% sure of their accuracy
Windows built in memory tester has detected problems with memory that Memtest didn't, might be worth giving it a go.
Yeah, I think you press tab just after the post screen, I only noticed the option because I dual boot. F8 to get into the safe mode menu might do the trick if tab doesn't work. Edit: In fact if you type 'memory' into the search bar then 'windows memory diagnostic' should come up, but it will ask you to reboot for testing.
interesting. i may have to give that a shot later. shes copying files over from her old hard drives now so i best not interrupt
I think I have the exact same RAM, so will clock mine down to 1.5v course, I have the Asus mobo and it only reads my RAM as 1333 instead of 1600mhz. I believe I have to flash the bios to be able to correct things, but I confess I amnot familiar with Bios flashing
ive heard a lot of people complaining that the asus boards arent running the memory at the proper speeds (along with quite a few other problems). my UD3 picked the memory with the right timings, but on a 13x multiplier (1333), but all i had to do was up the multiplier to 16x and all is well.
