Corsair Dominator 2 x TWIN2x2048 PC8500 Voltage Help

[mikeynavy1976]

Can someone please advise me on the maximum safe 24/7 Voltage for this setup:

CPU: Intel Q9450 @ 3.4GHz (425 x 8)
Memory: 8GB Corsair Dominator PC8500 @ 1020MHz and the following timings:
CAS Latency - 5
tRCD - 5
tRP - 5
tRAS - 15
tRRD - 3
twtr - 4
twr - 4
trfc - 55
trtp - 4
cmd Rate - 2
Static t-read - 8

My motherboard (Gigabyte EP45-DS3R) has terrible Vdrop and Vdroop. I tested each pair at 2.1V and they passed Memtest (actually I had to exchange a bad pair first). When all four were in I had to bump up the voltage a bit to safely pass and not freeze, and I believe I may still need to go higher. Right now I have DRAM voltage set at 2.18V in the BIOS. HW Monitor shows actual idle voltage at 2.14V and it drops to 2.11V under full load (Prime95 or OCCT). Unfortunately, when running a mixed test in OCCT I get an error rather quickly. The CPU test runs fine at 3.4GHz but not the mixed. Spec for the memory is 2.1V at 5-5-5-15 but that is for the pair. I also have the fan installed. I'm told I can go up to 2.2V with the fan on and be safe for everyday operation. I assume that is actual voltage at idle? Can someone confirm or provide recommendations? My system is stable under normal use and has never frozen or had other issues (i.e. BSOD) except for OCCT. How much can I bump my voltage up (and please identify whether it is BIOS voltage, idle voltage, or full load voltage) and still be safe. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[XMSYellowbeard]

If you are stable at 2.1v, use that setting. If it is unstable at 2.1v, try 2.2v. Don't go over 2.2v as it will not really help any on these modules and will only make more heat.