Q about RAM voltages

imported_Jid

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Jan 3, 2009
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When buying ram should I pay attention to what voltage it's specified to run at? I'm hoping to OC an i7 920 to about 3.4-3.6Ghz which seems to be what most people are getting stable easily and that's what I need, easy(relatively speaking) since I'm new to this and it'll probably be complicated for me in the beginning ;). The vendor list for my Mobo has RAM with voltages ranging from 1.5 to 1.8 for 1333 which is what I'm looking at getting, I'm reading around and general concensus seems 1600 is not necessary.

Also, I'm wondering about something, I've read latency is not important but it seems from the list that lower latency also equals higher voltages for most modules and vice versa, why is that? Just curious..

Thanks
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Lower latency can be achieved without overvolting, when quality memory chips are used.

That being said, latency makes almost no difference at all in the real world.
Play it safe and buy standard voltage DIMMs (1.5v for DDR3).
 

Yellowbeard

Golden Member
Sep 9, 2003
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You need to buy memory that will run its rated specifications at 1.65v or lower. 1.65v is the maximum memory voltage recommended by Intel at this time for Core i7 CPUs. If you are OCing, personally I would suggest 1333 or 1600 memory.
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
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Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
You need to buy memory that will run its rated specifications at 1.65v or lower. 1.65v is the maximum memory voltage recommended by Intel at this time for Core i7 CPUs.
The CPU's max voltage is 1.65v, DDR3's standard is 1.5v

 

Yellowbeard

Golden Member
Sep 9, 2003
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Originally posted by: Jid
When buying ram should I pay attention to what voltage it's specified to run at? ................... The vendor list for my Mobo has RAM with voltages ranging from 1.5 to 1.8 for 1333 which is what I'm looking at getting, I'm reading around and general concensus seems 1600 is not necessary.


Thanks

Just curious, what MOBO do you have? I have not seen ANY X-58 MOBO QVL recommend any memory rated above 1.65v.

Originally posted by: BlainThe CPU's max voltage is 1.65v, DDR3's standard is 1.5v

It's technically the memory controller that Intel is making the 1.65v recommendation on, not the CPU or CPU Vcore. And, JEDEC stock spec for DDR3 is 1.5v. So, this OP can safely use memory rated from 1.5v to 1.65v according to Intel. However, it seems his MOBO QVL conflicts with that by stating 1.8v.
 

imported_Jid

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Jan 3, 2009
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Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Just curious, what MOBO do you have? I have not seen ANY X-58 MOBO QVL recommend any memory rated above 1.65v.

I'm using Asus P6T Deluxe

Maybe I'll play it safe and get 1600, price difference isn't that big

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated

 

Yellowbeard

Golden Member
Sep 9, 2003
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Originally posted by: Jid
Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Just curious, what MOBO do you have? I have not seen ANY X-58 MOBO QVL recommend any memory rated above 1.65v.

I'm using Asus P6T Deluxe

Maybe I'll play it safe and get 1600, price difference isn't that big

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated

That QVL is bizarre and conflicts with our recommendations as we are adhering to the Intel voltage recommendation of 1.65v or less. Here is our list:

http://www.corsairmemory.com/corei7/default.aspx

 

imported_Jid

Member
Jan 3, 2009
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Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Originally posted by: Jid
Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Just curious, what MOBO do you have? I have not seen ANY X-58 MOBO QVL recommend any memory rated above 1.65v.

I'm using Asus P6T Deluxe

Maybe I'll play it safe and get 1600, price difference isn't that big

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated

That QVL is bizarre and conflicts with our recommendations as we are adhering to the Intel voltage recommendation of 1.65v or less. Here is our list:

http://www.corsairmemory.com/corei7/default.aspx

I guess better check manufacturer's specs instead of QVL, it's good I'll know that now.. thanks

 

Yellowbeard

Golden Member
Sep 9, 2003
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Originally posted by: Jid
Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Originally posted by: Jid
Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
Just curious, what MOBO do you have? I have not seen ANY X-58 MOBO QVL recommend any memory rated above 1.65v.

I'm using Asus P6T Deluxe

Maybe I'll play it safe and get 1600, price difference isn't that big

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated

That QVL is bizarre and conflicts with our recommendations as we are adhering to the Intel voltage recommendation of 1.65v or less. Here is our list:

http://www.corsairmemory.com/corei7/default.aspx

I guess better check manufacturer's specs instead of QVL, it's good I'll know that now.. thanks
It's doubly odd to me considering that ASUS puts that sticker over the CPU slot cover with the Intel warning on it.