Are heatspreaders really needed now for SB?

[sticks435]

Just like the subject says. With the BCLK being locked down on SandyBridge, is there any point to excessive heat spreaders on memory now? If you can't overclock the BCLK, you can't overclock the memory correct?

 

[gevorg]

Lower memory temps are always good for stability and longer life, but yes, "excessive" heat spreaders are not necessary.

 

[sticks435]

Yea. Reason I asked was I am trying to decide between these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231426
and these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231417.

I was going to go with the Ripjaws, but then got to thinking, what's the point if you can't overclock the bus anymore. Might as well get a free usb drive for an extra $2.25.

Edit: that's what I get for not proof reading. 2nd set of memory got cut off the message.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

You can still overclock memory, so maybe the Ripjaw X would do better, maybe not. I think the "jaws" are mainly for aesthetics.

 

[Emulex]

you don't need them if you have a good airflow system (aka oem) with proper shrouding and thermal sensors. none of my servers use them at all. I suspect for overvolting for OC it makes sense or poor air fluid dynamics you would gain.. I have 18 dimms on a server with passive colling , ducting/shrouding and 72-79F input temp and have never seen an issue. for OEM setups totally unnecessary - maybe they are just trying to hide the slower ram chips from your eyes 😉

 

[Yellowbeard]

A HUGE majority of the world is not as qualified to be handling devices with semiconductors as is the average AnandTech enthusiast. Spreaders provide a nice layer of physical protection.

 

[Athadeus]

The P67 chipset (I am pretty sure K series CPU is not required) allows you to adjust the memory multiplier, with most good boards going up to 21.33x.

Most people are just getting 1333-1600mhz 1.5v stuff and leaving it at stock now because the tiny real world gains of faster memory isn't worth the potential hassles of achieving and maintaining stability. I think there's few systems where DDR3 without heatsinks at those speed and that low voltage would overheat.

 

[sticks435]

Well shoot. I ended up going with the Ripjaw X, cause I figured it couldn't hurt, the black PCB looks a little nicer, and I figured i could spend hte $7 if I really wanted another USB drive lol. Nice to know for the future though.

 

[bryanl]

Heatsinks on main memory are mostly for the purposes of cosmetics, marketing, and deception.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Heatsinks on main memory are mostly for the purposes of cosmetics, marketing, and deception.

This does not apply to Corsair memory.

 

[Aikouka]

Might as well get a free usb drive for an extra $2.25.

I think I did that one time and the free "flash memory" ended up being a SD card rather than the expected USB thumb drive 😛. I think I was still able to put it to good use at least.