Will this ram be ok with sb?

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The ram I currently have is the ocz special ops (2x2gb) 1600mhz ram http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-222-OC

I was looking to upgrade to the i5 2500k and I know that sandy bridge prefers 1.5 v but how the ram I mentioned perform at

CL 8-8-8-24 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) (1.55v-1.65v)

The ram can also operate at CL 9-9-9-24 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) (1.45v-1.55v) .

What differences will I notice between the two timings? Will it affect overclocking?

When it says 1.55-1.65v, does this mean I can set the voltage to 1.55v?
 
You'll not notice any real world difference from the slower timings. I'm running 1.6v RAM at 1.5v without having to slow the RAM so you may even be able to run it at C8 at 1.55.

Anything lower than 1.65v is meant to be ok for sandy bridge.
 
I think they set a range as all chips are not created equal and some sticks will run at 1.55V and some at 1.65V.

You don't really want to be at more than around 1.5V for Sandybridge.

OCUK even post this warning with the Sandybridge processors "Recommended memory voltage is 1.50v, so make sure to run your memory at 1.50v, higher could limit lifespan of the CPU".

I'd give the OCZ memory you linked to a miss. If you want to buy OCZ buy this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-221-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Personally I wouldn't buy any of the OCZ memory as it's all end of line stock which OCUK have purchased cheap. OCZ have stopped production of RAM.

If you're buying for Sandybridge and looking to pay around £40 for 4GB of RAM than I would suggest this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-057-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

or this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-104-GL&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

or this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Or if you want tighter memory timings for around £50 this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-056-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Tighter memory timing might make a small difference for something like video encoding but bugger all difference to games.

Memory timing will have no effect on overclocking.

Remember if you're buying Sandybridge and intend to overclock you need a 2500K or 2600K processor and a P67 or Z68 (due in a few weeks) chipset.

The non-K processors can't be overclocked and nor can boards using the H67 chipset.

If you get a P67 chipset you can't use the processors onboard graphics.

The lower profile Geil and Corsair memory will be better if you have a large CPU cooler which overhangs the memory slots.

I have the 2x4GB version of the Geil memory myself and it runs at 1.5V no problem. I've seen some running it at 1.45V.
 
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i have 4 sticks of special ops and im on sandybridge. make sure you do the following:

download the latest bios for the sandybridge mobo from their website.

only use 1 stick of ram and boot the system first time, just so you can get into bios.

update the bios using the ez flash utility in the bios. (available on asus mobo's dont know about any others.

shut down and remove the power lead or plug from wall socket.

now clear the motherboards memory, move the jumper, etc.

now start up your system with 2 sticks and input voltage settings and ram speed settings (1600mhz).

all should now run fine.

i had millions of problems with sandybridge due to this ram and due to asus mobo and updating bios without clearing the memory afterwords.

using 4 sticks of this ram requires 1.625V in bios, any lower and i get overclock failure.

it runs fine with 4 sticks at 9-9-9-24 and 1600mhz, but i didnt touch timings i only inputted voltage and memory speed. timings are all on aut the mobo detects them automatically.

im assuming i need 1.625 due to using 4 sticks, if your using 2, i would go with 1.575 just to be safe.

all the stuff about not going over 1.5V was scaremongering tactics employed by intel due to a lot of idiots using more than 1.65V through their memory and killing the chips. ocuk have themselves tested 1.65V and higher and found no ill effect on CPU's.


i will in future, when i have a spare but of cash, get rid of the special ops and get lower voltage ram, i bought them cheap so im sure i wont lose out too much on them.

but for now they work perfectly fine, although needing slightly higher volts than usual due to 4 sticks.
 
ispeed settings (1600mhz).

all the stuff about not going over 1.5V was scaremongering tactics employed by intel due to a lot of idiots using more than 1.65V through their memory and killing the chips. ocuk have themselves tested 1.65V and higher and found no ill effect on CPU's.

I think the point is they've tested for a short time.

Any damage caused by using more than 1.5V may manifest over weeks, months or years.

Who wants the hassle of killing their processor?
 
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