Auto vs manual setting of RAM voltage

[dc4517]

I had somewhat asked this on the general hardware section as part of my build, but thinking this is a specific question on memory, I thought I'd post a clearer question here.

I have an ASRock H55M Pro motherboard and 2x4GB of g.Skill DDR3-1333 memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231311). The memory is spec'd at 1.5V. However, when using the OCing software that came with the motherboard, I saw that my RAM was running at 1.65V. Going into BIOS, I saw that RAM voltage is set on AUTO. I went in and changed it manually to 1.5V.

My question is why did the motherboard AUTO set it to 1.65V? If I manually set to 1.5V, do I need to manually set any other specs (e.g. timings)?

 

[Emulex]

probably because they did some testing and found that when overclocking that extra voltage helped stabilize things.

its a safe assumption for 1.5V ram. why would you use auto-overclock? just setup profiles and overclock when you need it.

 

[dc4517]

why would you use auto-overclock?

Emulex - sorry, I was confused with your question. But perhaps it was the way I described my situation. I have no intention of OCing. I just happened to run ASRock's OC Tuner software to make sure everything was running alright. That's when I noticed my RAM set at 1.65V. And after looking in my BIOS, the RAM voltage setting in BIOS was set to AUTO. Now it's manually set to 1.5V. Every other setting in BIOS is set to AUTO.

 

[Blain]

Leave it at 1.5v and let your memory live a long healthy life.

 

[dc4517]

Leave it at 1.5v and let your memory live a long healthy life.

Amen to that. My rig's been running solidly over the course of 3 days - no BSOD yet (knock on wood).

 

[Gillbot]

I never recommend using AUTO. Many boards tend to overvolt when AUTO is used.