DDR3 voltage on Sandybridge

ed79

ed79

ed79

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I'm thinking of getting a 2500k and MB soon but would like to reuse my left over Corsair DDR3 1600 (9-9-9-24). Have a couple of questions...

What is the default RAM speed on Sandybridge? My RAM is rated at 1600 and 1.65V, but I used to run it at 1440 (8-8-8-20) on my i7 920 at 3.6GHz. It ran fine at 1.6V but I've read that you shouldn't go over 1.5V on Sandybridge.

Based on past experience I reckon the RAM would run fine at 1.5V at 1333MHz 9-9-9-24, but would that hold my potential new Sandybridge build back? :confused:
 
Sandy's default is 1.5V, it'll go up to around 1.6V OK, there are people who probably have been running their RAM on 1.65V totally OK too even though this is somewhat above spec for the controller.

Lots have just gone for the safer bet in slightly undervolting their RAM and found it was stable anyhow.

Would it hold you back? Unless your change in settings result in crashes/instability, then no not at all. Performance differences (if any) would be completely imperceivable.
 
Benchmarks have shown that the memory speed has very little overall effect on performance, so i wouldn't worry about it too much.

I think 1.5v is recommended if you can but i haven't heard too many issues with people using 1.6-1.65v. Given the lack of a performance difference though i'd just run at 1333 1.5v IMO.
 
If the Corsair you're currently using is the XMS3 you should have a very good chance of running it at 1600Mhz using only 1.5V. Lots of forum members, myslef included, (see sig) have had success using Corsair memory at its highest speed/timings using the lowest recommended voltage.

The XMS3 sets are very popular with SB setups for this very reason (if you have XMS3 that is).

Hopefully, you could run it at its intended spec of 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24 - using less than 1.6V...
 
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Thanks guys. The RAM I have is the older triple channel kit XMS3 (TR3X6G1600C9) which is no longer available. It never worked that well at 1600 9-9-9-24 whatever the voltage (would only boot 1 time in 3) but I think that was more the motherboard - which is one reason why I got rid of it!

Looks hopeful that I'll be able to run it at 1.5V at a slower speed so that's good.
 
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