i7 cpu voltage

[count5by5]

I have for my build, gigabyte X58-UD5 and the i7 920. The i7 920 states that the max is 1.65v. In the sticky: Attention system builders 2.0 it states that i7's don't like running ram much higher than 1.5v I'm confused, a lot of people are running 1.65v with their i7's all over this board. I don't oc yet but is this the norm now max the i7 920 voltage. Should I just stay with 1.5v and leave the 1.65v to the big boys

 

[Jd007]

Just run the RAM at the voltage they are rated at, if you are not going to OC. Some i7 RAM kits are rated at 1.5V, some at 1.65V. 1.65V is the maximum memory voltage for an i7 platform before risking damage to the board and CPU.

 

[victorm]

mainboard = validated, use MB recommendations (+1 to Jd007 above)

 

[RussianSensation]

Run memory voltage at the lowest setting while still retaining stability. For example, my ram is rated at DDR3-1600 1.60V, but can run these speeds at 1.568V. If you are not overclocking, there is no need to run at 1.65V (unless the ram requires this level). Running higher voltage will increase the CPU heat output/stress due to the internal memory controller. This is why you don't want to exceed 1.65V.

 

[count5by5]

Thanks everybody, so I should just buy the 1.5v and be safe, or get the 1.60v and don't go over 1.60v until I know what I'm doing.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Thanks everybody, so I should just buy the 1.5v and be safe, or get the 1.60v and don't go over 1.60v until I know what I'm doing.

Good choice :awe:

 

[Ayah]

Thanks everybody, so I should just buy the 1.5v and be safe, or get the 1.60v and don't go over 1.60v until I know what I'm doing.

Yep, you pretty much condensed all i7 memory info into one sentence.

 

[RussianSensation]

You may also want to check out G.Skill ECO line which just recently came out. These DDR3-1600 kits run at 1.35V so they have a lot of room for overclocking as well.

If I was in the market for ram building a new system, I would probably spring for those since they don't cost much more over other DDR3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...es+4gb&x=0&y=0

Here is a review:
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=871&p=5

"Impressively, although the G.Skill ECO Series PC3-12800 CL7 (4GB) memory is designed to work at CAS7-8-7-24 timings using 1.35v, we were able to tighten these timings to 6-6-6-15 at 1333MHz using 1.50v which is impressive. More over, we were able to max the frequency out at 1800MHz using CAS8-8-8-24 timings at 1.50v"

 

[Diogenes2]

Your topic said CPU voltage ..

Notably, all the replies referred to RAM voltage, and were good replies ..


It is probably not a good idea to set your CPU ( core ) voltage to 1.5 - 1.65v, just in case there may have been a misunderstanding..

 

[fire2havoc]

Because the RAM controller is built into the CPU, you should not exceed 1.65v for the DRAM voltage. However, having a lower voltage is advantageous due to lower heat and more overclocking headroom. Because timings make very little (if any) real-world difference (except in synthetic benchmarks), it is recommended to use DDR3 memory with a voltage of 1.6v or lower.

 

[count5by5]

I sure did say cpu voltage, sorry, thinking one thing and writing another. Sure glad you all read my message and ignored the title. Thanks to all of you for your replys don't know what I'd do without you