Is 12 phase VRM worth $60 over 6 phase VRM?

[ensign_lee]

So I was looking at two boards, the main difference that I can see being 12 phase VRM vs 6 phase VRM (other improvements I doubt I'm going to use).

Does a 12 phase VRM allow for better overclocking? And if so, enough to the point where it's worth about a $60 premium?

 

[Athadeus]

Only if you're putting $600+ worth of CPU(s) in it imo. All other thing being equal quality wise, 12 phase would be better for overclocking.

 

[Hogan773]

Is this SandyBridge? I'm not sure that a super-duper power phase is necessary for overclocking SB chips.

 

[bryanl]

All other factors being equal, 12-phase subjects the components of each phase to half the current of 6-phase, which may be desirable since many CPU voltage regulators are now run at close to maximum capacity, as demonstrated by overclocking-related explosions of capacitors. However I would put more weight on the maximum CPU power rating of each motherboard.

 

[ensign_lee]

To answer your question, yes, this is Sandy Bridge. Sorry for leaving that out.

Will be overclocking an i5-2500k. Essentially would love to achieve the same overclock that I have now with a lower voltage if that was an effect of doubling the phase VRM.

 

[xd_1771]

If you are overclocking, I say go for it; more stable power for better OC-ing and safer too

 

[Concillian]

It results in slightly more stable voltage, and technically "better" overclocking. A $60 premium worth? Not unless you're very serious about overclocking and need the absolute max. An on-air overclock will not be a problem for a 6-phase. You might lose 100 MHz due to 6 phase vs. 12 phase. You might end up at exactly the same. It's not something major unless you're going for records.

I wouldn't spend $60 for that feature alone. But that's just me.

 

[xd_1771]

Actually now that I think of it... $60. He's right. I normally suggest 8+2 boards vs 4+1 boards (on AMD platforms) when they're the same price, and they usually are, but that's it.

 

[SniperWulf]

I'm curious to know the boards in question

 

[Claudius-07]

Same please

 

[ensign_lee]

Gigabyte P67 UD3 vs ASUS P8P67 Pro (or for that matter the Gig P67 UD4)

Yeah, the second two boards offer x8 x8 SLI / Crossfire, but I really only ever plan on using 1 GPU, so...

 

[BoozeCompany]

Both are good.

ASUS offers DIGI+ vrm, it's the pros of a digital vrm combined with the pros of a analog vrm. So that is different than the Gigabyte board. Dont know if it really is better.

 

[wwswimming]

So I was looking at two boards, the main difference that I can see being 12 phase VRM vs 6 phase VRM (other improvements I doubt I'm going to use).

Does a 12 phase VRM allow for better overclocking? And if so, enough to the point where it's worth about a $60 premium?

not necessarily. # of phases alone is not what enables OC'ing.

remember the DFI Ultra-D, the Monster OC'er from about 2005-2006 for Socket 939 ?

i don't think that one had 12 phases.