Can I use my 1.65v DDR3 memory in my current build?

[Chidingchuan]

Greetings.

I'm in the process of building my new computer. Asus P8Z68 pro, Intel I5 2500k, and etc.
However, I have OCZ DDR3 platinum PC3 12800 duo channel 4GB's of ram. 7-7-7-21 timings at 1.65 v.

I'm worried about the voltage being 1.65v. I heard that Sandy bridge takes 1.5v or less. Would I be able to use this ram as well as overclock with it?

I assumed that I could use it from my previous 1156 I5 set up.

Help!

 

[Crap Daddy]

Yes if they are aproved by the board manufacturer.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Try lowering the voltage to 1.5, and increasing the latency to 9-9-9-24, and see if it runs.

SB doesn't like above 1.5v RAM, don't do it.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

errr.. sandy bridge maxes out at like 1.56V right?

The 1.65 was for Nehalem i7s and the Lynnfield i5s maybe, but definitely I would avoid SB with 1.65....

 

[rbk123]

Try lowering the voltage to 1.5, and increasing the latency to 9-9-9-24, and see if it runs.

Not the latency but the frequency. Just dial the frequency down as memory at 1.65V is just OC'd 1.5V memory.

 

[Diogenes2]

Lower it to 1.5 and 1333 .. Performance hit will be negligible if even measurable...


I see rbk123 was thinking the same thing...

 

[MadScientist]

Not sure about your Asus MB but on my Asrock MB, if the ram is set to Auto, 1600 @1.65V ram will default to 1333 @1.50V. The Sandy Bridge Intel spec for max vdram is 1.575V. If you set it to its XMP profile it will run at 1600 @1.65V.

I'd leave it on Auto until you get a stable oc. You can, if you choose, then try to run it at 1600 up to 1.575V, and test if it's still stable. Performance increase????

 

[spike-It]

So what is the issue with memory running at 1.65v anyhow? I have an asrock extreme 4 board and 1600 memory that runs at 1.65 volts. This was spec'd by the manufacturer and it's what the MB set it to while set to auto. It would seem to me that if the OP's memory is compatible with his board then it should run as spec'd.

 

[MadScientist]

So what is the issue with memory running at 1.65v anyhow? I have an asrock extreme 4 board and 1600 memory that runs at 1.65 volts. This was spec'd by the manufacturer and it's what the MB set it to while set to auto. It would seem to me that if the OP's memory is compatible with his board then it should run as spec'd.

If you have your ram set to Auto then it's running at 1333 not 1600. Check it with CPUZ. You have to set it to Profile 1, its XMP profile, or set the Dram Frequency manually to 1600, to get it to run at 1600. I have mine set to Profile 1 and lowered the vdram to 1.575V. It's IBT and Prime 95 stable at this voltage. Will running above Intel's vdram spec at 1.65V affect your CPU?????

Auto

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Auto

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Profile 1

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Profile 1

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Is your memory on this list?
http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme4

 

[blackened23]

Greetings.

I'm in the process of building my new computer. Asus P8Z68 pro, Intel I5 2500k, and etc.
However, I have OCZ DDR3 platinum PC3 12800 duo channel 4GB's of ram. 7-7-7-21 timings at 1.65 v.

I'm worried about the voltage being 1.65v. I heard that Sandy bridge takes 1.5v or less. Would I be able to use this ram as well as overclock with it?

I assumed that I could use it from my previous 1156 I5 set up.

Help!

You should use 1.5V memory. Not just because its recommended, but because SB has an integrated IMC - if you over volt the RAM , you overvolt the CPU. Sandy bridge specifications allow for up to 1.57V memory. Beyond that and you're causing your CPU to generate more heat and over volt the IMC. Of course some overclockers are willing to take big gambles.

Just get 1.5 V ram, not worth the gamble. Note that some people have run 1.65V ram on their SB , and it may or may not work - but it will likely degrade the CPU slowly over time or shorten the lifespan. So assuming you get it to work, it won't cause the CPU to die overnight but a year from now -- who knows. Since DDR3 is super cheap, i'd say 1.5v ram is worth it.

edit: or you could also set it to 1333 1.5V as others have mentioned

 

[Blazer7]

For crying out loud. Just run CPU-Z and check the SPD tab. There you'll get a list of the SPD settings that are preprogrammed in your RAM.

AFAIK all manufacturers include at least a couple of JEDEC compliant settings and all of them are 1.5V. Just pick the fastest one of those and enter the timings and voltage manually in your BIOS. Re-run CPU-Z and check the SPD tab against the memory tab. If what you've chosen is what you have in the memory tab then you're ok.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

This issue has become a hot button issue for me. I was able to send this up to engineers and what I have been told is that at 1.65v the memory is pushing the talerances to much, but that most memory when placed on "6" series boards will default down to 1.5v but if you do this you want to log into the Bios and ensure that it is running at that voltage or change it down to 1.5v.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[MadScientist]

For crying out loud. Just run CPU-Z and check the SPD tab. There you'll get a list of the SPD settings that are preprogrammed in your RAM.

AFAIK all manufacturers include at least a couple of JEDEC compliant settings and all of them are 1.5V. Just pick the fastest one of those and enter the timings and voltage manually in your BIOS. Re-run CPU-Z and check the SPD tab against the memory tab. If what you've chosen is what you have in the memory tab then you're ok.

That would be fine if I could do it on my Z68 MB, but unlike old MBs, I'm limited to just a few ram speeds. My only good choices are 1333 and 1600, or buy 1600 ram rated at 1.50V.

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[MadScientist]

This issue has become a hot button issue for me. I was able to send this up to engineers and what I have been told is that at 1.65v the memory is pushing the talerances to much, but that most memory when placed on "6" series boards will default down to 1.5v but if you do this you want to log into the Bios and ensure that it is running at that voltage or change it down to 1.5v.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

I agree, but it appears that Intel and the MB manufacturers are not talking to each other, or the MB manufacturers are ignoring the Intel Sandy Bridge specs for vdram, which according to their latest datasheet is 1.425V min, 1.50V typ, 1.575V max.

This is Asrock's compatible memory list for my Asrock Z68 MB. http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme4

My ram, Kingston KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX, which has a XMP profile of 1600 @1.65V, is on that list.
No where on Asrock's website or in my manual does it state that I should run this memory at 1.50V on this MB.

 

[Crap Daddy]

Relax. It will not destroy your CPU. I ran mine at 1.65 with no issues whatsoever. Although now I'm at 1333 1.5V, just in case... anyway no difference in performance in real life. Now benches, thats diferrent.

 

[Blazer7]

That would be fine if I could do it on my Z68 MB, but unlike old MBs, I'm limited to just a few ram speeds. My only good choices are 1333 and 1600, or buy 1600 ram rated at 1.50V.

I guess I should have been more focused and more relaxed when posting. My post was directed to the OP as CPU-Z can easily provide him with the data needed to solve at least part of his problem.

I'm truly sorry about that.

 

[Blazer7]

Greetings.

I'm in the process of building my new computer. Asus P8Z68 pro, Intel I5 2500k, and etc.
However, I have OCZ DDR3 platinum PC3 12800 duo channel 4GB's of ram. 7-7-7-21 timings at 1.65 v.

I'm worried about the voltage being 1.65v. I heard that Sandy bridge takes 1.5v or less. Would I be able to use this ram as well as overclock with it?

I assumed that I could use it from my previous 1156 I5 set up.

Help!

Hello there and welcome to the AT forums,

You can, and by all means you should use your existing RAM for a number or reasons.

To name just a few :

Your RAM has definitely JEDEC compliant SPD settings for running @1333 @1.5V. These settings act also as a fail safe as they will definitely be recognized by all BIOSs out there. As IntelEnthusiast mentioned “most memory when placed on "6" series boards will default down to 1.5v“. This is the case for almost every board out there so expect this to not pose a danger for you. Once you enter the OS you can use the ASUS Turbo V utility to check on your mem voltage.

The performance difference between 1333 and 1600 is not a very good reason to fork your hard earned cash to get new RAM either. As Diogenes2 has already pointed out, “Performance hit will be negligible if even measurable...”

The advertised timings of your RAM (7-7-7-21) are very aggressive so you can probably use much more aggressive timings when running @1333 reducing even further whatever performance hit you may suffer.

As your RAM is of definitely high quality you also stand very good chances of hitting 1600 @9-9-9 or even 8-8-8 @1.5V or at least below 1.56V. Undervolting is not unheard of. I'm running my 6 DIMMs @1600 8-8-8-24-2T 1.52V. The only problem here is that it takes too much time and effort to fine-tune your mem but it is doable.

In all, it makes no sense not to use your existing RAM.