Memory voltage

fungus

fungus

fungus

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18 Nov 2011
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59
I'm about to upgrade to an i5/Z68 set up and I am currently undecided on what memory to use.

I notice that the DDR3 PC3-12800 I'm looking at is availabe in different voltages (1.35v, 1.45-1.55 & 1.55-1.65 etc), what is this all about? Is it best to go for lowest voltage, or the one with the widest range? cheers.
 
Ideally with a sandybridge setup you want to be only running 1.5V or less through your memory.

So in theory all sets that run 1.5V or lower are ideal for the SB setup.

Having said that a lot of the 1.65V sets have a proven track record of running at 1.5V at full spec - the forum favoutites being the XMS3 and Kingstom HyperX Greys.

e.g. I have 2 x 4Gb of XMS3 in my current rig running at ~1.48V at full spec... (as did my 2 x 2Gb set before that)
 
fungus said:
I notice the Corsair Vengeance is available in a 1.35v version, any benefits in going that low?
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Lower power consumption and less heat is always a bonus - plus you're guarateed sub 1.5V.

However, the XMS3 and Kingstons Greys are 'almost' guaranteed to run sub 1.58V (which is INTELS tolerence for SB) and the average is 1.5V on these forums. So if money is tight then the Kingstons are a great buy. (e.g. i've fitted about 4 sets of XMS3 and 2 sets of Kingstins and all have run at 1.5V. My presents 2 x 4Gb XMS3 are running at ~1.48V)

Also, some members have had to run their Vengeance sets at 1.5V to get them stable - but you would be able to rma them if that was the case.
 
fungus said:
Cheers Plec.

I notice the Corsair Vengeance is available in a 1.35v version, any benefits in going that low?
Click to expand...

If you are going ivy bridge then this is ideal, but if you are going to use the memory on sandy bridge, then the better option will be the 1.5v.

I have read that the 1.35 corsair vengeance cannot be overclocked, similar to the corsair vengeance 1.5v with low profile heatsink. I have the vengeqance with tall heatsinks and they can either be undervolted to 1.35v, or overclocked a bit at 1.5v, and overclocked even higher at 1.6v. Only problem is the heatsinks are very tall and if you intend to overclock your cpu, you will most definitely run into problems with cpu coolers unless you're going for water!

I have removed the heatsinks on mine.

Good luck
 
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