Mixing DDR2 ram with different voltages?

[IndieSnob]

I'm sure this is going to be a stupid question but I have to ask anyway.

I am currently running a 2x1 gig kit of Kingston DDR2 800 1.8V memory on my Abit IP35 motherboard.

Kingston Memory Specs @ Newegg

Now a friend of mine just gave me a 2x1 gig kit of OCZ Reaper HPC DDR2 800 2.1 V memory.

I am guessing that at lower volts that the OCZ won't run, and that the Kingston would error out at higher voltages.

Am I correct in this assumption?

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Not quite. I'm guessing the OCZ has different timings than the Kingston and thus requires a higher voltage. If you were to set the timings manually to match the Kingston's, the OCZ would probably run correctly at the slower timings.

Now for running at a higher voltage, with 4 sticks you may have to up the volts a notch anyway. However, if you kept the heat on the sticks down (not inconsiderable with 2.1V) then I think the Kingston sticks could run.

So to conclude: The OCZ will run with the Kingston at the Kingston's slower timings, it's a JEDEC standard. But since you have four sticks, you may have to up the voltage a bit anyway. (just to 1.9V or whatever the next notch is)

 

[IndieSnob]

Well I just put the OCZ memory in along with the Kingston and it halts right before it gives the memory clock speed.

I'm guessing if I want to try this I'll have to set the voltage to 1.9 with the Kingston in, and then put the OCZ in and give it the same timings as the Kingston?

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: IndieSnob
Well I just put the OCZ memory in along with the Kingston and it halts right before it gives the memory clock speed.

I'm guessing if I want to try this I'll have to set the voltage to 1.9 with the Kingston in, and then put the OCZ in and give it the same timings as the Kingston?

Put in the kingston, set the voltage to 1.9v, manually set the timings to the loosest of the two sets, then add the OCZ.

 

[IndieSnob]

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: IndieSnob
Well I just put the OCZ memory in along with the Kingston and it halts right before it gives the memory clock speed.

I'm guessing if I want to try this I'll have to set the voltage to 1.9 with the Kingston in, and then put the OCZ in and give it the same timings as the Kingston?

Put in the kingston, set the voltage to 1.9v, manually set the timings to the loosest of the two sets, then add the OCZ.

Thanks Gillbot!

I will give it a go right now.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: IndieSnob

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: IndieSnob
Well I just put the OCZ memory in along with the Kingston and it halts right before it gives the memory clock speed.

I'm guessing if I want to try this I'll have to set the voltage to 1.9 with the Kingston in, and then put the OCZ in and give it the same timings as the Kingston?

Put in the kingston, set the voltage to 1.9v, manually set the timings to the loosest of the two sets, then add the OCZ.

Thanks Gillbot!

I will give it a go right now.

If this is a no go, you may need to add a shade more voltage or loosen the timings even more. I've never had good luck with OCZ so you may want to check out their support forums and they could give you better feedback.

 

[IndieSnob]

Well first I set the ram voltage to 1.9 and it showed me the ram bus speed and all that at boot up. Then I rebooted and loosened the timings to the Kingston. As soon as I loosened the timings and rebooted, I got the good ole ram post beep. I went ahead and cleared the cmos and took out the OCZ. I went ahead and put the ram voltage back to 1.9 and left the timings alone. I rebooted into Vista, and everything seems to run fine.

Should I worry at all that I'm running the Kingston at 1.9 and letting the ram run via SPD? Should I do some prime95 and or memtest86 tests on it?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: IndieSnob
Should I do some prime95 and or memtest86 tests on it?

Yes, always.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: IndieSnob
Should I do some prime95 and or memtest86 tests on it?

Yes, always.

+1

I wouldn't worry about 1.9v on the kingston though. There is always some leeway on voltage as manufacturers of mobo's never get 1.8v exactly anyway. If you are that concerned, put a fan blowing across the ram to help keep it cool.