New DDR3 module voltages higher than in previous years?

[mikeymikec]

More than a year ago (I can't remember when), I had the choice of 1.35v DDR3 desktop modules or 1.5v, with the occasional "high end" ones with voltages higher than 1.5v.

In 2010, I bought 2x 2GB Kingston HyperX DDR3-1600 1.5v voltages, now (when I'm looking for the same modules as I bought before, idly thinking about upgrading memory in my system), all I can see available are 1.65v ones, and nowadays I haven't seen any 1.35v modules in quite some time (I'd say more than 12 months).

Any ideas why?

 

[ShintaiDK]

1.35V are easy to find. Same with 1.5V.

Example of 1.35V from Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600000279&IsNodeId=1&Description=DDR3&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

Example of 1.35V from geishalz.at:
http://geizhals.at/eu/?cat=ramddr3&xf=2216_DDR3~2396_1.35V#xf_top

And the outdated, now expensive memory you look for:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104254

 

[PliotronX]

I may be wrong but I think Samsung stopped producing 30nm modules not very long after their introduction. They were too good

 

[ShintaiDK]

Samsung produces 20nm now.

 

[PliotronX]

Samsung produces 20nm now. The only difference is that they just dont sell it under their own name for desktop.

Oh well that explains things Has there been any substantial difference with the 20nm? I recall the OC craze with 30nm but does 20nm have teething issues like die shrinks sometimes have?

 

[ShintaiDK]

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/file/media/Green_DRAM-0.pdf

 

[Blain]

I haven't seen any 1.35v modules in quite some time (I'd say more than 12 months).

Any ideas why?

You haven't shopped at Newegg, Tiger Direct, Amazon, Directron, Best Buy, etc.

 

[mikeymikec]

I live in the UK.

When I specifically search (cclonline.co, scan.co.uk and Amazon UK) for 1.35v, I get some results but they're usually for SODIMMs or higher-end modules than what I'm normally looking for (even then, the selection of desktop modules is pretty small). As opposed to a few years ago, when probably half of all the selection at any level of the range were 1.35v modules.

cclonline.com even mentions a few 1.9v DDR3 desktop modules - is this likely to be a typo or are there actually modules that require that much voltage around?

 

[ShintaiDK]

I live in the UK.

When I specifically search (cclonline.co, scan.co.uk and Amazon UK) for 1.35v, I get some results but they're usually for SODIMMs or higher-end modules than what I'm normally looking for (even then, the selection of desktop modules is pretty small). As opposed to a few years ago, when probably half of all the selection at any level of the range were 1.35v modules.

cclonline.com even mentions a few 1.9v DDR3 desktop modules - is this likely to be a typo or are there actually modules that require that much voltage around?

Try this:
http://skinflint.co.uk/?cat=ramddr3&xf=2216_DDR3~2396_1.35V#xf_top

 

[zir_blazer]

Voltage seems to be dependant on RAM capacity, too. 1.35V is common for current 4 GB DDR-III modules, but for 8 GB modules is 1.5V.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Voltage seems to be dependant on RAM capacity, too. 1.35V is common for current 4 GB DDR-III modules, but for 8 GB modules is 1.5V.

Plenty of 1.35V 8GB DIMMs out there. I use 2 myself as well.

 

[Cerb]

Voltage seems to be dependant on RAM capacity, too. 1.35V is common for current 4 GB DDR-III modules, but for 8 GB modules is 1.5V.

That's just an economics issue. You can get higher capacity DIMMs in lower voltages, but they are only needed by computers that only support DDR3L, the overwhelming majority of which are mobile.

 

[zir_blazer]

Plenty of 1.35V 8GB DIMMs out there. I use 2 myself as well.

As you used Newegg as source, I will use it myself too.

2 * 4 GB 1.35V results = 14
2 * 8 GB 1.35V results = 11

It seems that they are not that rare as I through. However, what do are scarse are single modules, which make it looks bad if you compare them to same price point (2 * 4 GB vs 8 GB. You have more choice at 2 * 8 GB, but its also nearly twice as expensive).

 

[Cerb]

79 1.35V SKUs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...279&IsNodeId=1
24 2x4GB
24 1x8GB
19 2x8GB, at only slightly higher prices to 1.5V desktop RAM.

 

[zir_blazer]

79 1.35V SKUs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...279&IsNodeId=1
24 2x4GB
24 1x8GB
19 2x8GB, at only slightly higher prices to 1.5V desktop RAM.

Check the filters. You have tons of SODIMMs there because you're looking at Laptop Memory, I'm talking about standard DDR-3.

 

[Cerb]

Check the filters. You have tons of SODIMMs there because you're looking at Laptop Memory

I specifically browsed to laptop memory, because mobile CPUs commonly support DDR3L, but not DDR3, so there is much more of a market for it there. Desktop users don't need it; notebook users do.

I'm talking about standard DDR-3.

Standard DDR3 is up to 1.5V. I have yet to see a non-mobile CPU that only supported DDR3L (I wouldn't be surprised if some low-coltage Xeons are that way, though).

 

[nForce2]

Samsung produces 20nm now.

Is that available for consumer purchase? If so, do you have a link? :thumbsup:

 

[sf101]

The only 1.65 Modules you will find are either Tight timings Kits or High Mhz kits as the Voltage is often needed to stabilize these settings.

That Said most still still run at the 1.5v standard if on regular jedec timings