1.65v or 1.5v RAM compatibility

redray · 10 Aug 2012 at 16:14

Should I return my Corsair XMS3 2x4gb DDR3 1600 1.65v and get corsair vengeance lp 1.5v instead or is it fine?

Will be using i5 3570k and z77 D3H.

SouthEastBlue · 10 Aug 2012 at 16:27

You should still be able to run these at 1.5v, I know a lot of people have previously. Same with my Kingston HyperX ram, rated at 1.65v for 1600Mhz but runs fine at 1.5v.

redray · 10 Aug 2012 at 16:35

SouthEastBlue said:
You should still be able to run these at 1.5v, I know a lot of people have previously. Same with my Kingston HyperX ram, rated at 1.65v for 1600Mhz but runs fine at 1.5v.

Does it do it auto when I install or is manual configuration needed?

SouthEastBlue · 10 Aug 2012 at 16:59

If you run the sticks literally by just putting them in the machine, it will probably default to 1333MHz @ 1.5v, and if you use the XMP profile it will run the rated speeds but at the rated voltage so 1600Mhz @ 1.65v which is too high for Sandy/Ivybridge setups. With my own ram on my Gigabyte motherboard all I did was leave it at the automatic settings and adjust the ram speed to 1600Mhz, so you will probably have to manually adjust it yourself.

Rusty0611 · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:18

Is there any actual evidence that 1.65V is too high for IB though?

Combat squirrel · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:47

Should be fine, run my ram at 1.65 as its what it needs and runs fine on IB

Vimes · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:59

This is in the sticky within the CPU section in reference to the SB chips...

Memory Voltage - Intel recommend 1.50v plus/minus 5% which means upto 1.58v is the safe recommended limit. In our testing we have found 1.65v has caused no issues

Whether the long term usage of higher RAM voltages could cause an issue I do not know or if IB have any different requirements or tolerances I'm not sure.

I opted for some Corsair Vengeance LP "whites" as they are rated at 1.35v and seem to run fine. I liked the idea of the lower voltages.