LGA1366 and 8GB DIMMs

[dkm777]

Did anyone here ever use 8GB DIMMs on the LGA1366 platform? I ask because I currently use 24GB RAM with all slots filled and my computer has noticeably lower uptime from what I suspect is overheating RAM. I have cheap Kingston HyperX with heatspreaders but they get so hot during operation that it's almost impossible to touch them. Combined with the fact that there's almost no space between the modules means no cooling whatsoever. If I shut down my PC for about an hour it works normally again and memtest86+ does not catch any errors. I thought if I replaced the RAM with three 8GB sticks, maybe with tall heatspreaders, like Corsair Vengeance or Ballistix Elite, I would get better cooling and better stability. Now before anybody asks - VMs and multitasking.

 

[hennessy1]

I have used 8GB DIMMS in an x58 board. Specifically 6 of them for 48GB no issues other than you can't get as high freq. DIMMS if you max the board out.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would go for a RAM cooler or two, rather than spend money on new RAM with taller heatspreaders. RAM coolers are under $10 I think.

Edit: Unless you are actually running out of RAM. In that case, upgrade.

 

[dkm777]

I'm not running out of RAM, my absolute worst case scenario hovers around 20GB, so no worries there. I could sell my old RAM and the out of pocket cost of going to less but higher density sticks would be minimal. Since Hennessy1 says 8GB sticks work then I guess I'll go ahead with my plan. I'll look for low voltage RAM. That should get rid of my overheating problem completely. I don't want RAM coolers since this is a "quiet" box.

 

[Hellhammer]

How's the overall airflow in your system? According to your sig, you have some pretty heat generating components in your system, which obviously raise the temperature of your RAM too. It might be worthwhile to increase the RPM of your case fans, or even add a fan or too, in order to generate more airflow and hence lower the temperatures.

 

[dkm777]

My airflow is pretty poor - the Define R3 is a "quiet" case. I have two intake fans at 1100RPM and a 1500RPM exhaust fan (Be Quiets - not available in America). The intake is very restrictive and after trying some different fans I found that it doesn't make sense to use anything more than 1000RPM in there. But I suddenly had an idea - I'm going to open the top vents so at least some rising hot air can escape. My box stands on my desk and my head sits lower than those vents. There shouldn't be that much more perceptible noise.

 

[Hellhammer]

My airflow is pretty poor - the Define R3 is a "quiet" case. I have two intake fans at 1100RPM and a 1500RPM exhaust fan (Be Quiets - not available in America). The intake is very restrictive and after trying some different fans I found that it doesn't make sense to use anything more than 1000RPM in there. But I suddenly had an idea - I'm going to open the top vents so at least some rising hot air can escape. My box stands on my desk and my head sits lower than those vents. There shouldn't be that much more perceptible noise.

I know, I have the same case Removing the top vents should help a bit, and you can also consider adding a fan to the other vent (the one closer to the front is directly on top of RAM, so an exhaust fan there should take hot air away from the RAM).

 

[dkm777]

Hah! Looks like I'll get by without buying anything . The opening of vents dropped my temps by about 5 degrees and I've been running my PC without rebooting since my last post without any glitches. Previously I'd start getting weird behavior right about now. I'll keep testing for a couple more days, but I guess having noise(=heat) insulation right above the RAM slots wasn't such a good idea.