1.5 vs. 1.65 Volt RAM

[justinj6]

Saw this ram:
Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory on sale AR for $50. I would like to get some ram now for a future build as prices are down and this appears to be a good price. This is however, 1.65 volt.

Does the voltage difference between 1.65 and 1.5 really matter and if so why? Should I wait for some 1.5?

Thanks for any insight.
Justin

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Shouldn't be a deal breaker at all, its when you get ram that wants 1.8 and higher that I feel is too much.

 

[Emulex]

1.65 is just reject 1.5 - it failed at 1.5 (normal ddr3 rate) and binned to sell to someone who doesn't care. remember raising your memory higher with integrated memory controller can destroy your cpu. Those with external (core2) don't worry about that.

 

[code65536]

Considering that 1.5V 8GB 1333 kits have sold for as low as $45 after rebate at Newegg, I would definitely wait.

And maybe it's because I'm more conservative about these things, but I personally would consider 1.65V to be a dealbreaker: it's out of spec with the official DDR3 standard and will tend to be less reliable--even if only marginally so--than sticks with a proper voltage.

 

[justinj6]

Considering that 1.5V 8GB 1333 kits have sold for as low as $45 after rebate at Newegg, I would definitely wait.

And maybe it's because I'm more conservative about these things, but I personally would consider 1.65V to be a dealbreaker: it's out of spec with the official DDR3 standard and will tend to be less reliable--even if only marginally so--than sticks with a proper voltage.

Thanks. Will wait for the 1.5.

Cheers,
Justin

 

[pantsaregood]

DDR3 1333 at 1.65v has to be extremely poorly binned. I'm running 1.5v DDR3 2133 right now, and I believe I've seen DDR3 1866 at 1.25v before. I wouldn't use overvolted RAM that isn't even "performance" RAM.

 

[Blain]

In a nut shell...
The lower the voltage = Higher the quality

 

[WaTaGuMp]

My ram is 1.65v but its 1600mhz, no issues at all.

 

[code65536]

Thanks. Will wait for the 1.5.

You won't have to wait for long. 2x4GB, Kingston, 1333, 1.5V, $45 after rebate:
http://www.buy.com/prod/q/loc/101/218857782.html

 

[jjmIII]

If you still have time, I'd look for 1.5v 1600. If the G.Skill deal comes back...jump!
Just a guess, but I think we'll see another round of G.Skill 1600 1.5v for $50ish.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

 

[jjmIII]

You won't have to wait for long. 2x4GB, Kingston, 1333, 1.5V, $45 after rebate:
http://www.buy.com/prod/q/loc/101/218857782.html

Hey, at least I gave you credit .

 

[justinj6]

If you still have time, I'd look for 1.5v 1600. If the G.Skill deal comes back...jump!
Just a guess, but I think we'll see another round of G.Skill 1600 1.5v for $50ish.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Don't have a lot of time but will see how long I can hold out.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

I wouldn't go running 1.65v ram on Sandybridge personally, especally with the prices of 1.5v ddr3.

 

[lopri]

They honestly don't make much difference today. My sticks are rated 1.65V but I'm running them @1.40V without an issue. Of course everything being equal you should go with the lower voltage. Today's DDR3 sticks (esp. 4GB sticks) don't like high voltages, it seems.

 

[code65536]

Don't have a lot of time but will see how long I can hold out.

SB can't make use of more than 1333 (though Llano and IB can). So it depends on what system you plan to use this RAM in and whether you think you'll be moving this RAM to a different system in the future. Personally, I wouldn't hold out for a 1600, but that depends on your plans.

 

[AdamK47]

1.65 is just reject 1.5 - it failed at 1.5 (normal ddr3 rate) and binned to sell to someone who doesn't care. remember raising your memory higher with integrated memory controller can destroy your cpu. Those with external (core2) don't worry about that.

In a nut shell...
The lower the voltage = Higher the quality

No.

A lot of memory made for overclocking at 2000+ runs at 1.65V. Many of these kits are priced beyond that of cheap 1.5V memory. There's not very many overclockers on AnandTech as there once was. Especially those who overclock their memory.

 

[code65536]

A lot of memory made for overclocking at 2000+ runs at 1.65V. Many of these kits are priced beyond that of cheap 1.5V memory. There's not very many overclockers on AnandTech as there once was. Especially those who overclock their memory.

But the RAM that he was looking at was not 2000+. It was a standard 1333. Perhaps a more accurate way to say it would be, the lower the stable voltage-to-transfer rate ratio, the better.

 

[StrangerGuy]

What are the Intel® Core™ i7 desktop processor DDR3 memory voltage limitations?
Intel® recommends using memory that adheres to the Jedec memory specification for DDR3 memory which is 1.5 volts, plus or minus 5%. Anything over this voltage can either damage the processor or significantly reduce the processor life span.

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-029913.htm#4

If you building an Intel rig, get 1.5V DDR3 or lower. Besides, there is little point overclocking RAM for i3/5/7 for real world performance.

 

[AdamK47]

I'd overclock it, but that's just me.