GA-B150M-HD3 DDR3 memory voltage

[MinstrelKnight]

Hello,

I'm looking to buy GA-B150M-HD3 DDR3 motherboard with G4560 cpu.

I currently have 2x4GB Kingston DDR3 1866Mhz (KHX18C9X3K2/8X) that I would like to use on this motherboard.
It requires 1.5v for 1333Mhz and 1.65v for 1600Mhz and 1866Mhz. Here is the link to the specs for more details https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/khx18c9x3k2_8x.pdf

After checking the the QVL Memory list (http://download.gigabyte.eu/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-b150m-d3h-ddr3.pdf), I see that supported memory modules are working on either 1.35v or 1.5v.

After contacting gigabyte support, they confirmed that my memory can work on 1,65v with this motherboard and G4560. Quoting gigabyte support: "For your board and your CPU it is not a problem to work with 1,65V too."

I'm still not convinced because the communication was in bad English and with a few back and forth until they undestood what I'm asking.

Can anyone tell me if this motherboard can produce 1,65v so that I can expect my memory to work on its full 1866Mhz speed?

I guess I hope that an owner of this motherboard will see this thread and check what BIOS options this motherboard has for DRAM voltages

 

[Barty1884]

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I believe the G4560 (KabyLake) does not support DDR3. You'll also need a BIOS update to support the CPU on that board.
The B150 chipsets were initially for Skylake, which *could* support DDR3 or DDR4, but only DDR3*L*..

The 100 series chipsets supporting DDR3, needed DDR3L (low voltage) ie 1.35V.

1.5V should "work".... but the long-term damage of 1.5V through the IMC hasn't really been tested/proven, so it's impossible to say for sure.

 

[Calvin7]

G4560
Supported memory: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400

Motherboard has support for DDR3/DDR3L 1866(OC)/1600/1333 MHz memory modules.

Motherboard DRAM Voltage Control
This section provides memory voltage control options

 

[Barty1884]

Thanks Calvin, I wasn't 100% sure on it.

DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V

https://ark.intel.com/products/97143/Intel-Pentium-Processor-G4560-3M-Cache-3_50-GHz

So, it can work..... but doesn't support 1.5V. So even your 1333MHz may not be a great idea (as that needs 1.5V through the IMC).

I'd suggest selling your 2x4GB kit, and picking up a DDR4 supporting motherboard & a 2x4GB kit of DDR4..... if at all possible.

 

[MinstrelKnight]

Thanks Calvin, I wasn't 100% sure on it.

DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V

https://ark.intel.com/products/97143/Intel-Pentium-Processor-G4560-3M-Cache-3_50-GHz

So, it can work..... but doesn't support 1.5V. So even your 1333MHz may not be a great idea (as that needs 1.5V through the IMC).

I'd suggest selling your 2x4GB kit, and picking up a DDR4 supporting motherboard & a 2x4GB kit of DDR4..... if at all possible.

Thank you both for the info!

I'm aware of the BIOS update need and that KabyLake actually supports DDR3L and not DDR3. While scouring the net for the information, I've seen that there are motherboards that truly support DDR3 by having a separate chip to handle the memory so that it doesn't negatively affect the CPU.

I also considered getting a DDR4 motherboard and memory, but considering the current prices it will not be a budget solution anymore 🙁

I'm ok with taking a risk with the higher memory voltages, it's just a question can this motherboard provide 1.65v?

 

[Barty1884]

I've never heard of the separate chip.... at least not on modern boards. The IMC (integrated memory controller) is on the CPU.... IF a chip exists (not saying it doesn't ,necessarily, just never heard of it), it would only exist to "step down" the voltage.... which doesn't make a whole lot of sense.


I'd play devil's advocate here.... If DDR4 takes you out of a "budget solution".... what does a fried memory controller/dead CPU do?

Can the motherboard provide 1.65V? Yes. It'll provide what's configured in the BIOS/required by the XMP profile etc. You can set 1.65V for certain DDR4 kits, so the option(s) should exist in the BIOS.

 

[MinstrelKnight]

I've never heard of the separate chip.... at least not on modern boards. The IMC (integrated memory controller) is on the CPU.... IF a chip exists (not saying it doesn't ,necessarily, just never heard of it), it would only exist to "step down" the voltage.... which doesn't make a whole lot of sense.


I'd play devil's advocate here.... If DDR4 takes you out of a "budget solution".... what does a fried memory controller/dead CPU do?

Can the motherboard provide 1.65V? Yes. It'll provide what's configured in the BIOS/required by the XMP profile etc. You can set 1.65V for certain DDR4 kits, so the option(s) should exist in the BIOS.

I see your point. If it gets fried, I'm counting on warranty

Jokes aside, if anything above 1.35v is hurting the IMC it is really strange to see a motherboard manufacturer supporting it.

In the meantime, I've stumbled on youtube on this:
If only the guy clicked the memory profile voltage options

 

[Barty1884]

As I mentioned, I haven't seen long-term testing/results of higher voltage 'standard' DDR3 on Skylake of KL's IMC..... officially, it "can" or "will" cause damage, but I have seen no follow up to that.

Warranty could be tough in the instance the IMC does fry, but I've never seen it challenged. As per the spec page for the CPU (linked earlier), the only "supported" RAM is DDR4 or DDR3L. Running outside of spec would probably void any warranty (but that would be on Intel to prove, I guess)

MB vendors "support" it because the only real difference between DDR3 and DDRL is the voltage. You really can't allow one to work (DDR3L 1.35V) without allowing the other (DDR3 1.5V+), at least, not to my knowledge anyway.

 

[MinstrelKnight]

As I mentioned, I haven't seen long-term testing/results of higher voltage 'standard' DDR3 on Skylake of KL's IMC..... officially, it "can" or "will" cause damage, but I have seen no follow up to that.

Warranty could be tough in the instance the IMC does fry, but I've never seen it challenged. As per the spec page for the CPU (linked earlier), the only "supported" RAM is DDR4 or DDR3L. Running outside of spec would probably void any warranty (but that would be on Intel to prove, I guess)

MB vendors "support" it because the only real difference between DDR3 and DDRL is the voltage. You really can't allow one to work (DDR3L 1.35V) without allowing the other (DDR3 1.5V+), at least, not to my knowledge anyway.

I've decided to listen to your advise. I'll not risk it with DDR3 and will instead go for DDR4 motherboard instead.
Yes, it will be more expensive, but not too much and it is a better choice in the long run.

Thanks for the effort!